Sam Elliott Reveals Why He Can’t Stand Yellowstone’s Wild Success
Sam Elliott, famed for his legendary Western roles, shocked fans by admitting he dislikes the hit series Yellowstone—even though he starred in its acclaimed prequel, 1883.
With his unmistakable deep voice and signature mustache, Sam Elliott has long been a fixture in American Westerns. Whether he’s playing a grizzled cowboy or offering sage advice in cult classics, Elliott embodies the spirit of the Old West like few others. His recent return to the genre in the TV series 1883 brought him back into the spotlight, earning him critical acclaim and a Sag Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Television Movie or Limited Series.
In 1883, Elliott takes on the role of a Civil War veteran leading a perilous journey from Tennessee to the promise of a better life out West. The show, a prequel to the blockbuster series Yellowstone , features Tim McGraw as James Dillard Dutton, the ancestor of Kevin Costner ’s character in the main series. Given Elliott’s involvement in this universe, many would expect him to be a fan of the original show. But that’s not the case.
Sam Elliott’s Surprising Take on Yellowstone
When asked about his thoughts on Yellowstone, Elliott didn’t hold back.
“I’m not a Yellowstone fan,”
he told Taste of Country.
“I don’t watch Yellowstone. I love Costner, there’s a lot of good people on the cast, a few of them I’ve worked with before, nothing against any of them, but it ’s just too much like fucking Dallas or something for me.”
Despite the massive popularity of Yellowstone and its spin-offs, Elliott’s blunt opinion sets him apart. While the show has been praised for reviving interest in Westerns, some critics argue it leans too heavily on familiar tropes and outdated stereotypes. The term “oat opera” has even been used to describe it, likening it to the soap opera-style drama of Dallas, which dominated TV in the 1980s but is rarely considered highbrow entertainment today.
Not the First Time Elliott’s Spoken Out
Elliott’s candidness isn’t new. He previously stirred controversy with remarks about Jane Campion’s The Power of the Dog, suggesting the New Zealand director wasn’t qualified to tackle themes of the American West and expressing discomfort with the film ’s depiction of a gay subplot. He later apologized for those comments, but his reputation as a straight-shooter remains intact.
Though Elliott has played countless cowboys and has a deep connection to Western storytelling, his background is far from the rugged frontier—he grew up in Portland, Oregon. Still, he’s never shied away from voicing his opinions on what he believes makes an authentic Western, even if it means criticizing projects he’s connected to.
Between Hollywood and the Real West
It’s a bold move to critique a franchise that’s brought him renewed fame and recognition. Yet, Elliott’s history of outspoken commentary often puts his own credibility in question. While he may see himself as a guardian of Western authenticity, at the end of the day, he’s an actor—one who, like everyone else in Hollywood, is playing a part.