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Yellowstone the neo-western drama created by actor and filmmaker Taylor Sheridan has captivated audiences for five seasons. Furthermore, the series has spawned two successful prequel shows to date, 1883 and 1923, following the lineage of the Dutton clan. Despite the series' massive popularity, showrunners recently made a shocking announcement. According to recent news, Paramount may end Yellowstone in its current form, in favor of a spin-off series eyeing Matthew McConaughey to star. Sources speculate that Costner’s shooting schedule is cause for tension as he continues to reduce his time commitments to the series. This does not come as a surprise as the Golden Globe winner is currently directing and starring in his Western epic Horizon.
When asked for comment, Paramount studios offered, “We have no news to report. Kevin Costner is a big part of Yellowstone, and we hope that’s the case for a long time to come. Thanks to the brilliant mind of Taylor Sheridan, we are always working on franchise expansions of this incredible world he has built. Matthew McConaughey is a phenomenal talent with whom we’d love to partner.” Fans were quick to comment on the cancelation rumors, and they aren’t happy. While we hope Yellowstone will stick around, let's take a look at eight things you might not have known about the cast.
8 Jefferson White Was New to Horses
Jefferson White, the actor who plays Jimmy Hurdstrom in the series, had never ridden horses before he was cast as a regular in Yellowstone. Hurdstrom's character arc is certainly one of the most interesting in the show as we watch White's nuanced transformation from reckless criminal to budding rodeo star. It may surprise fans to know that White had no previous experience with horses similar to the character he plays. White tells Decider, "Everything Jimmy ends up learning to do or experiencing, I’m also learning to do or experiencing for the first time. I had never ridden a horse before I accepted this job. I certainly had never gotten on a bucking horse."
7 Yellowstone's Surprising Connection to Little House on The Prairie
The popular western drama has surprising ties to other classic western series Bonanza and Little House on the Prairie. Actress Jen Landon is the daughter of the legendary Michael Landon, who starred as Joe Cartwright in Bonanza, Charles Ingalls in Little House on the Prairie, and Jonathan Smith on Highway to Heaven. Landon tragically died of pancreatic cancer in 1991. Jen Landon, who joined Yellowstone in Season 3, stars as tom-boy Teeter.
6 Kelly Reilly Is an Accomplished Stage Actor
Despite a decades-long Hollywood career, including a starring role in the Sherlock Holmes franchise, it was her role as Beth Dutton in Yellowstone that catapulted Kelly Reilly to commercial success. That said, Reilly is also an accomplished stage actor, having previously been nominated for a Laurence Olivier Award for her roles as Desdemona in Othello, and as Miss Julie in After Miss Julie at the Donmar. Reilly discussed her love of the stage with The Guardian in 2007: "It's lovely to be in a production that's sold out. This is really where I wanted to be. It's always been the theatre for me, ever since I was a girl."
5 Gil Birmingham Was Once a Bodybuilder
Gil Birmingham stars as one of Yellowstone's most fascinating characters, Chief Thomas Rainwater. Birmingham had an accomplished career before his time on Yellowstone, starring in House of Cards, Animal Kingdom, and The Twilight Saga, to name a few. It may surprise viewers to know that Birmingham was also at one time a bodybuilder. Indeed, it was his bodybuilding physique that led to him pursuing a career in acting in the first place. He was called upon to star in a Diana Ross music video as eye candy which gave him the acting bug.
4 Ryan Bingham is an Oscar-Winning Songwriter
Ryan Bingham, who plays Walker on the series, not only performs his songs on the show, but he is also a singer and songwriter in real-life. Bingham has released six studio and one live albums, and owns his own label, Axster Bingham Records. Bingham has performed his song "Wolves" on Yellowstone as well as won an Academy Award for "The Weary Kind," the title track on the Crazy Heart soundtrack.
3 Cole Hauser Didn't Audition for the Role
Yellowstone writer and creator Taylor Sheridan recently shared that fan favorite Cole Hauser, who plays Beth Dutton's boyfriend and John Dutton's right-hand man, didn't even audition for the role. At the time of his casting, there were three roles left: that of John Dutton's two sons and Rip Wheeler. Sheridan was so excited about what Hauser could bring to any role that he let him have whichever role he wanted. Sheridan later told Deadline, "He didn't audition. I wanted him from day one. There were some things he had done that I saw, where there was an intensity and a clarity of what that character wanted,"
2 Kevin Costner’s Band Wrote Songs for the Series
Bingham isn't the only musician featured in the series. In addition to Bingham's musical talents Yellowstone creator has also leaned on the talents of John Dutton himself, Kevin Costner. Costner is the lead singer in Kevin Costner & Modern West, a country western band that has also written songs for the show. Their most recent album Tales From Yellowstone was written from the perspectives of characters from the series and several songs were featured on the show.
1 Gator is a Professional Chef
The man responsible for feeding the Dutton family is also a real-life chef. Gabriel Guilbeau, affectionately known as "Gator," took an interest in the culinary arts straight out of high school. He is now in charge of craft services for the Yellowstone cast and crew, and they sure do love having him around. Actor Jefferson White tells Outsider, “Anybody on the crew, anybody in the cast, can’t talk about this show for five minutes without mentioning Gator. No matter where we are, we’ll be in the middle of nowhere, no cell service, freezing cold, and Gator will pull up with a big tub of gumbo and etouffee…It gets us through those really long nights.”