Yellowstone (TV Show): 16 Interesting Facts

The Yellowstone TV show centers around the Dutton family, who own and operate the Yellowstone Dutton Ranch, the largest ranch in Montana, often referred to as “the Yellowstone.”

The narrative explores the intricate family dynamics and conflicts that unfold at the ranch, as well as its borders with the Broken Rock Indian Reservation, Yellowstone National Park, and the encroaching interests of land developers.

 

There’s probably a lot that you don’t know about this TV show, but today my aim is to change that…

Here are 16 Interesting Facts you might not know about the Yellowstone TV Show

1. The series debuted on the 20th of June 2018 on the Paramount Network.

2. Yellowstone was created by Taylor Sheridan and John Linson.

3. The show features a talented cast including Kevin Costner, Luke Grimes, Kelly Reilly, Wes Bentley, Cole Hauser, Kelsey Asbille and Gil Birmingham.

4. The show is primarily filmed on location at the real Chief Joseph Ranch in Darby, Montana, which is also referred to as the “Yellowstone” ranch. The ranch is available for rent and offers tours to visitors.

5. Taylor Sheridan owns most of the horses used in the show, which are often reigning rodeo champions. He also teaches the actors how to ride these horses.

6. Yellowstone is the most-watched TV show on basic cable in the USA (excluding sports events like Sunday Night Football and Thursday Night Football) It has consistently increased in viewership, with the Season 4 finale reaching 10.3 million live and same-day viewers, making it the most-watched episode of a cable TV show since the Season 8 premiere of The Walking Dead.

7. The show has spawned several spin-offs, including 1883 and 1923, which are set in different time periods and feature different storylines.

8. Yellowstone has received positive reviews from critics and audiences alike, with an IMDb rating of 8.7/10.

9. Ryan Bingham, who portrays the character of Walker, is a talented singer-songwriter beyond his acting role. He has released six studio albums and frequently performs live. In 2009, he penned the song “The Weary Kind” for the film Crazy Heart. This song went on to win an Oscar, Golden Globe, and Grammy award.

10. Kelly Reilly (who is actually a British actress) has mentioned that Beth Dutton, her character in the show, was the most demanding role she has undertaken in her extensive career.

11. Cole Hauser, who plays Rip Wheeler, has a distinctive beard that sometimes appears unusual. This is due to his natural red hair color, which can sometimes be visible beneath his beard.

12. Kelsey Asbille (who plays Monica Dutton in Yellowstone) faced controversy over her casting as a Native American character. Despite claiming to be of Eastern Band Cherokee descent, the tribe issued a statement saying they have no record of her or any evidence of her being a descendant.

This led to criticism from prominent Native American actors, including Adam Beach, who called for a boycott of the show, stating that Asbille’s ancestry was not verified and that the show was telling the world that there were no Native actresses capable of leading a TV show unless they had Cherokee ancestry.

The controversy highlighted the ongoing issues of representation and authenticity in Hollywood, particularly with regards to Native American roles.

13. The TV series Yellowstone is set in Montana, but the majority of Yellowstone National Park (YNP) lies within Wyoming. Specifically, about 95% of YNP is in Wyoming, with roughly 4% in Montana and about 1% in Idaho.

The show’s ranch is named after its proximity to the northern gates of YNP and is likely near the river that runs north into Montana, including through Livingston, which is frequently mentioned in the show.

14. The fifth season of this show is its last. The second half of this season premiered in November 2024.

15. The hairstyling for Jamie Dutton, played by Wes Bentley, has been intentionally altered over the seasons to reflect his character’s journey from seeking his father’s approval to becoming more independent.

16. Taylor Sheridan initially pitched Yellowstone as “The Godfather in Montana,” envisioning it as a family drama intertwined with themes of crime and corruption. This approach aimed to reflect the struggles of maintaining a family legacy against external pressures.

Well, there you have it, 16 Interesting Facts you might not have known about the Yellowstone (TV Show). If I’ve left out something important, feel free to comment below.

Check out the trailer for the first season of the show below:

You can stream the show on Showmax in South Africa.

Watch this space for updates in the Facts category on Running Wolf’s Rant.