On August 4, news broke about the first casting news surrounding the Yellowstone prequel series 1883.
The highly-anticipated show will follow the Dutton family’s decision to move to Montana in hopes of escaping poverty. 1883 also highlights Manifest Destiny, a belief that drove settlers to dispute with Native Americans who occupied the plains. According to Deadline, production will begin in Texas in late summer 2021, and the series is expected to debut on Paramount+ December 19th.
1883’s first casting news included some big names: Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, and Sam Elliott!
Hill broke the news herself, sharing the title page of the first episode’s script with her name on it. She wrote, “Finally the day has come when I get to share some exciting news with you!“
https://www.instagram.com/p/CSKsmDWnwdX/
Her husband also shared his excitement over the upcoming project.
“Hey guys,” McGraw said to open his video message. “So a lot of you probably have heard by now that we’re on to a new project…we’re pretty excited about it. Faith and I get to star alongside Sam Elliott, I mean goodness gracious, for the new ‘Yellowstone’ prequel called 1883.”
The country singer continued to praise the show’s writer and creator and said he and Hill “couldn’t be more excited,” while also revealing he’s been growing out his beard for the role.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CSKxIYdLFt0/
We have learned that Tim and Faith will be playing none other than the original patriarch and matriarch of the Dutton family, James and Margaret Dutton. Their characters are the grandparents of Kevin Costner’s John Dutton. Sam Elliott will be playing a man named Shea Brennan, who TVLine described as “a tough-as-nails, handsome cowboy with immense sadness in his past.”
With December 19th fast-approaching, the series has released the full cast list. The following are series regulars alongside McGraw, Hill, and Elliott.
Billy Bob Thornton
Isabel May
LaMonica Garret
Audie Rick
Marc Rissmann
Eric Nelsen
James Landry Hébert
Additional cast members include:
Dawn Olivieri
Emma Malouff
Alex Fine,
Gratiela Brancusi
Anna Fiamora
Nichole Galicia
Stephanie Nur
Amanda Jaros
Noah Le Gros
Martin Sensmeier
To see which role each actor will be playing, click here.
Less than 10 days before the premiere, creator Taylor Sheridan revealed that a two-time Academy Award-winner will be joining the 1883 cast in the second episode. Tom Hanks will appear in the second episode as a three-star general during a battle in the Civil War. Deadline reports that his character is inspired by General George Meade.
Tom Hanks will guest star in Paramount’s #Yellowstone prequel show 1883, and here's your first look at him in the series! (Via: @DEADLINE) pic.twitter.com/i0b47OvLeU
— Binge Watch This (@BingeWatchThis_) December 10, 2021
Deadline reports that Sheridan revealed many familiar faces will be popping up during the first season of 1883. Yellowstone fans had lots to say about the casting news of Tom Hanks.
“Great! Tom Hanks is fantastic and I look forward to this. Wonderful actor and a wonderful man,” one fan wrote on Twitter.
See more reactions below.
1883 looks better and better as more comes out. Now Tom Hanks added . Going to be good
— Dan Knightly (@DanKnightly) December 13, 2021
cool #1883 will feature the Battle of Antietam and have Tom Hanks in it 🥰 https://t.co/lpXMqyOlYu
— dyanhope (@dyanhope) December 11, 2021
Wow – another star I live in 1883!!!
https://t.co/iCI1tfybwF— Kathy Davis (@Kathy8345) December 11, 2021
This is pretty awesome !https://t.co/0uvm1IfRHA
— The Life of an Average Joe Podcast (@TheLifeofanAve1) December 11, 2021
If I wasn't excited enough about this show, Tom Hanks Joins Yellowstone Prequel 1883! https://t.co/ESLc7nVoXx
— Patrick O'Shea (@patrick_oshea) December 11, 2021
It seems there is an overwhelming positive response to Hanks being in an episode of the highly-anticipated series!