Take in the dramatic conflicts and rolling pastures of Yellowstone, and you’ll understand why its visionary creator, Taylor Sheridan, is so intolerant of any criticism that he vehemently maintains is unfounded. How often do we stumble upon a show that ricochets between the resonant truths of culture and the rugged beauty of storytelling, only to find its essence misconstrued?
Sheridan, the maestro behind the curtain, was quick to demolish the notion that his beloved series is merely a “conservative” or “Republican show”—a label he challenged in an eye-opening conversation with The Atlantic in 2022.
The narrative landscape of Yellowstone is so firmly anchored in tackling themes like Native American historical displacement that one must ask: Can the interpretation of such a complex production truly be painted with a single color of the political spectrum?
And the Sons of Anarchy actor is here to provide a thorough explanation!
Taylor Sheridan Broke Silence on Misconceptions About Yellowstone
Acknowledged for his works in movies like Sicario and Hell or High Water, Taylor Sheridan has enraptured audiences with his peculiar storytelling approach and skillfully crafted characters. That being said, he finds it unacceptable that his well-liked television show, Yellowstone, was classified as a “conservative” or “Republican” show.
In an interview with The Atlantic, Sheridan sought to correct the record by emphasizing the important messages and themes woven throughout Yellowstone. Far from being a show that aligns solely with one political ideology, Yellowstone explores tangled topics such as the displacement of Native Americans, the mistreatment of Native American women, etc.
In response to the criticisms, the Wind River director stated:
“They refer to it as ‘the conservative show’ or ‘the Republican show’ or ‘the red-state ‘Game of Thrones’. And I just sit back laughing. I’m like, ‘Really?’ The show’s talking about the displacement of Native Americans and the way Native American women were treated and about corporate greed and the gentrification of the West, and land-grabbing. That’s a red-state show?”
As Sheridan so aptly pointed out, these are not topics typically associated with a “red-state” show. Instead, they are universal themes that appeal to audiences of all ages and faiths. By bringing attention to these important issues, he invites his audience to think about the world around them and the effects of their actions.
Reviews of the show have been inconsistent over the years. Even actress Lily Gladstone referred to the show’s portrayal of the American West as “deplorable”.
Lily Gladstone’s Take on Yellowstone’s Depiction of the American West
Hollywood’s exaltation of the American West in films and television series, particularly Yellowstone, starring Kevin Costner, is something Lily Gladstone objected to. The actress discussed with Vulture how sometimes, as a working actor, you have to give up your freedom to choose your material, especially if it is hard to come by.
Throughout the course of her career, the actress has worked with both Native and non-Native writers. But she strongly disapproves of Taylor Sheridan’s Yellowstone, a Paramount series, calling it “deplorable” and “delusional”.
The Killers of the Flower Moon star further added:
“No offense to the Native talent in that. I auditioned several times. That’s what we had.”
The actress stated that she thinks carefully about which Indigenous people’s stories are told and by whom, in addition to realizing that it can be a “double-edged sword”.
“You want to have more Natives writing Native stories. You also want the masters to pay attention to what’s going on. American history is not history without Native history.”
While some may try to pigeonhole the show into a specific category, Sheridan’s work transcends labels and offers a powerful commentary on the complexities of the human experience. And that…is something worth celebrating!
Stream Yellowstone on Peacock.
