Some U.S. drama series play for audiences on the coasts, whilst others are targeted more at the ‘heartland’.
Paramount Network’s American neo-western and ratings juggernaut “Yellowstone” has often been slotted into the latter category, with some critics calling it (even dismissing it) as a show designed for more conservative audiences. Some have even gone so far as to label it “anti-woke”.
It’s a claim that its creator Taylor Sheridan has dismissed. Speaking with The Atlantic (via Variety) ahead of the Kevin Costner-led show’s fifth season premiere on Sunday, the showrunner mostly seems amused by the reaction as it some of it seems to be from people who haven’t seen it:
“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?”
Sheridan adds that his aim with the series was to offer “responsible storytelling” by emphasizing the gravity of consequence and is inspired by his first-hand experience growing up on a ranch in Waco, Texas.
Despite (and possibly in part because of) the criticism, the show’s fourth season dominated the ratings charts as it is the most-watched scripted series on TV.
The show has been snubbed in terms of award wins, but has scored solid reviews as it has progressed and landed numerous nominations, including ones from the producers and screen actors’ guilds.
“Yellowstone” will premiere its fifth season on Sunday on the Paramount network.
