Yellowstone, a captivating TV show, has become a massive hit over the past few years, drawing viewers in with its gripping storyline centered around the wealthy Dutton family, renowned as the largest ranch owners in the USA. However, there is much more to this fascinating show than meets the eye! There are a wealth of hidden gems and fascinating moments that add so much depth and excitement to the show and we’re going to unveil them for you! Here are 30 not-so-known facts about Yellowstone.
Reilly, A Real Rider
Her character never did the riding but she’s one of the best horse riders.
HBO Rejected The Project
Taylor Sheridan brought Yellowstone to HBO and it was ultimately turned down because “no one wanted to see this”.
More Than One Hit
Taylor Sheridan also the wrote blockbusters such as Sicario (2015), as well as Hell or High Water (2016).
Red-Head Rip
Our favorite raven-haired ranch foreman had a make over while filming.
Fake Cowboy
Jefferson White was born in New York and he needed special training to act like a cowboy.
Yellowstone Getaway
Known as Chief Joseph Ranch in Darby, Montana is the place where you can rent Rip’s Cabin and Lee’s Cabin for $1,700 and $1,400 a night, both stays include a tour of the ranch and set.
Moving Location
It was originally filmed in Park City, Utah, but in 2020, was moved to Montana. All new stages were built in Missoula, with filming also taking place in Hamilton and at the nearby ranch.
Forrie J. Smith, A Real Cowboy.
The 65-year-old actor is a certified cowboy and stuntman. His bunk in the show is actually filled with mementos and memorabilia from his days in the rodeo circuit!
Happy Couple
Walker and Laramie were a on-screen couple during Season 4 and Season 5 and they got married in October 2023.
Beth’s British Accent
Kelly Reilly is actually from London and speaks with a British accent but changed it for the show.
Sam Elliot Said No
Despite working with Taylor Sheridan in 1883, he rejected the project claiming it was a soap opera just like Dallas.
Tate’s Kidnapping
Brecken Merrill usually shares -and even overshares- backstage content. He accidentally revealed that the show filmed him being taken (end of Season 2) but ultimately chose not to air it, figuring there’d be more more suspense.
Lainey Wilson, A Thief
She arrived without showering or shaving, so she took prop deodorant and razors from the bunk house and did it.
The Most Watched TV Show of 2021-22
Yellowstone was the most-watched non-football TV show with an average of 11.3 million viewers.
Kevin Costner, A Rich Man
Costner was set to earn $1.3 million per episode of Yellowstone, up from $500,000 an ep. in Season 1.
Jamie Looks Familiar
Wes Bentley played the next door neighbor Ricky Fitts, a character who indirectly gets the main character downfall in Kevin Spacey’s American Beauty.
Only One Rip
Taylor Sheridan saw Cole Hauser as Rip Wheeler. He didn’t even have to audition for the role.
Gil Birmingham, A Musician
He doesn’t just play a little, he’s actually a very talented musician
Lloyd’s Bunk
Forrie J. Smith gave helpful information when it came to designing the famous Yellowstone bunkhouse. He’d lived in similar settings, so he knew.
Kelly Reilly’s Audition
When Taylor saw her tape he knew she was Beth without even watching it.
Gator, The Chef
Gator is a real-life chef named Gabriel “Gator” Guilbeau.
Cowboy Camp
Actors get to learn how to ride horses and run a ranch by real cowboys right before filming.
Taylor Writes It All
He only had co-writers in the pilot and some of the episodes from the second season. Some people claim he’d write entire episodes within hours.
Birmingham Bodybuilder
He was a petrochemical engineer and a bodybuilder before becoming an actor in his 30s. He starred in Diana Ross’ music video for “Muscles.”
Kevin Costner’s Not First Rodeo
He also played a cowboy in Wyatt Earp, Open Range, Hatfields & McCoys, and he’s about to direct a series of western films called Horizon.
Taylor’s Horses
He owns most of the horses used in the show. We know them as Ray, Owen, and Lucky but in real life, their names are like Dun It Chexinic and Walla Walla Starbuck.
Piper Perabo Was Not A Newbie
She joined the series as a new character in Season 4, but Yellowstone has been a family affair for her since Season 2 when her husband directed some episodes.
Yellowstone Kept Growing
Every season of Yellowstone has increased in viewership, and the Season 4 finale had 10.3 million live and same-day viewers, making it the most-watched episode of a cable TV show.
It’s A Plotless Show
“It’s basically, I own a bunch of land, and a bunch of people want to take it,” Sheridan told Deadline
Kevin Costner’s Band
Kevin Costner has a rock band called Kevin Costner & Modern West that in 2020 released an album called Tales From Yellowstone.
