“The Most Beautiful Thing I'd Ever Read”: Tim McGraw Recalls Seeing Taylor Sheridan's ‘1883’ Script for the First Time

As we gear up for blockbuster year of new Yellowstone spin-offs, including Marshals, The Madison and Dutton Ranch, we can't help but feel a little nostalgic for 1883.

Serving as the origin story of the Dutton Ranch as we know it today, it starred husband-and-wife duo, Tim McGraw and Faith Hill, along with Isabel May and Sam Elliott, as they make the treacherous journey from Texas to their eventual resting place of Montana.

1883 showcased Yellowstone creator Taylor Sheridan's ability to craft deeply poetic and haunting tales that feel rich embedded in the landscapes upon which they are set. Sheridan can do the fast-paced, high-drama thrills of the main Yellowstone series, but as he highlights on 1883 and the more tender moments of its sister prequel, 1923, the prolific screenwriter can craft depth and intricacy, too.

In an interview released around the premiere of 1883, McGraw emphasises how moved he was by Sheridan's script, “We were Yellowstone fans from the very first night of the very first episode. And when all this came around and Taylor started sending scripts to us, it literally was the most beautiful thing I'd ever read”.

The country titan pays tribute to Sheridan's vision, “I mean, the scripts are just so fantastic. They just jumped off the page at you and made everything come to life. When you read it, you picture the entire show, and the way he describes everything, and the way he describes every scene...It's literally a roadmap for the DP, it's a roadmap for the set designers, it's a roadmap for everybody involved. It's all there, and all you have to do is read the script and you're inspired by it”.

The Louisiana native admits he wasn't seeking out acting roles, but he couldn't turn this script down, “That's literally what did it. I mean, I wasn't looking for a series to do. I mean, gosh, I've got plenty of other things to do. You know, I wasn't even looking for a movie to do. As an artist, everything's driven by the material that's put in front of you, and when this kind of material is put in front of you and it's a challenge and it's something that you are really moved by, it's hard to say no to”.

We're sure glad McGraw said yes to Sheridan, as they helped bring the harrowing, visceral narrative to fruition. We're hoping that, with Sheridan continuing to expand the Yellowstone universe, while simultaneously building out other franchises such as Landman and Tulsa King, we might see McGraw on-screen again soon...

Watch the full interview below:

For more on Tim McGraw, see below: