Yellowstone does not have an “anti-woke” agenda according to Taylor Sheridan, the creator of the hit series. On Sunday, the anticipated fifth season of Yellowstone will arrive on Paramount Network as the series continues to garner high viewership. While many fans will be watching, it would appear that not every critic is thrilled, as some have suggested that Yellowstone is a series that intentionally pushes conservative values.
In a new interview with The Atlantic, Sheridan commented on this kind of criticism. He outright rejects the idea that Yellowstone is a “red-state show,” arguing that what’s most important for the creative direction is to have “responsible storytelling.” He also points out some of the themes in Yellowstone that he says make it laughable to suggest that there’s an “anti-woke” agenda involved. From the interview:
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Sheridan went on to credit the 1992 Western Unforgiven as a big influence for Yellowstone. He respected how, in that movie, Clint Eastwood had “let the sheriff be a bully and the hero be this drunken, vicious killer,” changing the traditional format of the American Western. Sheridan was hoping to do the same by delving into the Yellowstone universe.
“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?”
“[He] shattered the myth of the American Western. So when I stepped into that world, I wanted there to be real consequences. I wanted to never, ever shy away from, This was the price.”
Yellowstone Is Still Going Strong Five Seasons In
Paramount Network
Whatever the cast and crew of Yellowstone are doing, it has been working, as the series continues to be a big hit for Paramount Network. Series star Kevin Costner said ahead of the season how impressed he is with the show’s creative team for keeping the writing so strong, even after several seasons.
“I feel like we’re going the right direction,” Costner told Us Weekly. “It’s not so easy to catch a high point. It’s not so easy to stay there. And I think the writing is really staying at a level that’s important.”
Along with Costner, the series also stars Josh Lucas, Luke Grimes, Kelly Reilly, Kylie Rogers, Wes Bentley, Cole Hauser, Kyle Red Silverstein, Kelsey Asbille, Jennifer Landon, Wendy Moniz, Moses Brings Plenty, Kathryn Kelly, and Gil Birmingham.
Yellowstone premieres on Sunday, Nov. 13, on Paramount Network. The series premiere of 1923 will follow on Dec. 18 on Paramount+.
