Yellowstone is famous for its extravagant storylines and intricate family conflicts, but the series’ cast and crew have also been caught up in numerous controversies off the screen.
Since its debut on the Paramount Network in June 2018, actors and cocreator Taylor Sheridan have had to address accusations that the show caters to a conservative audience. In an interview with The Atlantic in November 2022, Sheridan mentioned, “They label it as ‘the conservative show’ or ‘the Republican show’ or ‘the red-state Game of Thrones.’” The Oscar nominee expressed amusement at these labels, saying, “And I just sit back laughing. I’m like, ‘Really?’”
The former Sons of Anarchy actor further defended the series by highlighting its exploration of contentious issues without falling into stereotypes. Sheridan pointed out, “The show addresses topics such as the displacement of Native Americans, the mistreatment of Native American women, corporate greed, the west’s gentrification, and land exploitation.” He questioned, “Is that really a show tailored for conservative viewers?”
Yellowstone lead actor Kevin Costner, meanwhile, has faced criticism from conservative viewers for his personal political opinions. After he wore a shirt supporting former Congresswoman Liz Cheney‘s 2022 re-election bid, he clapped back at fans who claimed they would stop watching the show because he took a stance on the campaign. Cheney, who lost her primary election to Harriet Hageman, has been an outspoken critic of former President Donald Trump.
“I was clear that she probably wasn’t going to win her election. But I wanted to let her know, as a citizen, how much I appreciated her brave, clear-headed stance,” the Oscar winner told USA Today in November 2022. “I didn’t really care how the cookie crumbles, that people that liked me now don’t like me. That’s OK.”
Cheney is a Republican, but Costner has also shown his support for Democratic candidates. In December 2019, the Dances With Wolves director endorsed Pete Buttigieg for the 2020 presidential nomination. “When Pete speaks of unity, it’s the kind of unity I’ve been waiting and hoping to hear about,” Costner said of the Secretary of Transportation at the time. “The strength he describes isn’t the kind that limits compassion in the name of America.”
Though some viewers have threatened to stop watching Yellowstone for one reason or another, the series remains one of the most popular shows currently on the air. The season 5 premiere in November 2022 drew 12.1 million viewers, making it the most popular scripted series of the 2022-23 TV season. “We’ve been able to create a show that didn’t start out being popular, but did it on its own terms,” Costner said of the show’s massive success at the time in an interview with the Associated Press.
Keep scrolling for a look back at Yellowstone‘s biggest offscreen drama:
