For the past years four years, there’s been a new sheriff in town — burning up the TV rating list and taking the nation by storm. That show is Yellowstone.
For the uninitiated, Yellowstone can be best described as The Sopranos on horseback. Now, in the wake of the season 4 finale, here are 15 fun facts about Yellowstone that funs likely didn’t know.
Taylor Sheridan is the show’s creator/writer.
Fans who are familiar with Yellowstone will know Taylor better as the horse reining, sarcastically smooth-talking Travis Wheatly — who works for the Dutton’s as a horse trader. Over the course of the series, Taylor/Travis has become a fan favorite.
Jake Ream taught the cast everything they know.
Jake Ream is a real-life horse wrangler, just as he is on Yellowstone. Before filming for season 1 began, Jake took certain members of the cast on a 4-day trek in order to teach them how to ride and how to be cowboys.
Kelly Reilly was hooked on Beth after she read the very first script.
In an interview with Elle, Kelly explained “Every single line of hers in that first pilot I read, I couldn’t believe what I was reading. I have the same reaction that the audience has when she comes out with some of the things she says.”
You can book a vacation at the Dutton Ranch.
In real life, The Yellowstone Ranch is actually known as The Chief Joseph Ranch. You can choose to stay in Lee Dutton’s cottage for $1200 USD a night, or you can book your accommodation for Rip’s cabin at a cost of $1500 USD a night.
Jefferson White was far and away the worst rider in the bunch.
Jefferson plays the misbegotten ranch hand, Jimmy. Before filming Yellowstone, Jefferson had never seen a horse in real life — let alone ridden one. His second time out, Jefferson got horrible saddle sores and bled right through his jeans.
The Four Sixes Ranch is a real working cattle ranch.
Fans will recall that in season 4, Jimmy gets sent to the 6666’s in Texas in order to learn how to become a proper cowboy. In reality, the Four Sixes is one of the most esteemed cattle ranches in Texas and has been since it was founded in 1870.
Taylor Sheridan’s favorite character in the series is Beth Dutton.
Taylor said that what he loves most about writing for Beth is her unpredictability. You never know what is going to come out of her mouth next. In this sense, Taylor believes that she’s one of the best characters he’s ever created.
The majority of the cast do all their own stunts.
Jake Ream doesn’t tolerate city slickers. In order to give Yellowstone a more authentic feel, he trained Cole Hauser (among others) to ride and rope, like a true cowboy. Nothing is staged and nothing is fake in this regard.
The pilot was originally pitched to HBO — and the network refused.
Show creator/writer Taylor Sheridan explained as much in an interview with Cowboys and Indians magazine. “And when I asked why, he said, ‘Nobody wants to see this. Nobody wants to see a movie about this’.”
Kevin Costner’s payday for season 1 was absolutely ginormous.
Paramount wanted to show that they meant business, and also send a message to other prospective big-name actors whom they might want to work with in the future. In order to achieve this, Kevin was paid a whopping $500,000 per episode.
The character of Chief Thomas Rainwater was written with Gil Birmingham in mind.
Gil had previously worked with Taylor on Hell or High Water, and Wind River. When Taylor was writing Chief Rainwater, he called up Gil and told him what he was working on — hoping that he’d come along for the ride.
Kelly Reilly is far and away the best rider on set.
This is ironic, to say the least, considering that there have been only one or two times throughout the entire season that we actually see Beth on horseback. According to Taylor Sheridan, Beth grew up around horses and has ridden since she was a young girl.
The bulk of the first 3 seasons weren’t filmed in Montana.
Seasons 1-3 were actually filmed in the state of Utah. But due to the dwindling tax incentives for filming, production moved to Missoula, Montana, before the filming for season 4 began.
Cole Hauser never auditioned for the part of Rip.
Taylor Sheridan told Deadline, “I knew that’s who I wanted, from the beginning. 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.”
A good chunk of the music heard on ‘Yellowstone’ is performed by Kevin Costner and his band.
Not only that but in 2020 Kevin & The Modern West recorded a full-length album, titled Tales From The Yellowstone. The band’s lead single, “Won’t Stop Loving You,” is all about the loss John Dutton experiences after the passing of his wife.