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The 1883 cast and characters expanded the Yellowstone universe. Premiering in December 2021, 1883 takes place in a very different world than Yellowstone, creating some confusion on the Dutton family tree.

The '1883' cast behind the TV series characters pose at the premiere.
(L-R) Sam Elliott, Billy Bob Thornton, Isabel May, Gratiela Brancusi, Faith Hill, James Landry Hébert, LaMonica Garrett, and Tim McGraw (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

Tim McGraw as James Dutton

1883 tells the story of the 19th-century Dutton family as they travel from Tennessee to Texas and eventually to Montana. James Dutton is the patriarch of this family, and he is portrayed by the popular country music singer Tim McGraw. He is the great-great-grandfather of Kevin Costner’s character in Yellowstone.

James served as a Confederate captain in the Civil War, which left him with PTSD. Back in Tennessee, James made his living through farming. He proves himself to be a resourceful man, skilled with a gun, and willing to do anything to protect his family.

Faith Hill as Margaret Dutton

Interestingly, Tim McGraw’s wife and fellow musician Faith Hill also joined the cast of 1883. Hill plays James’ wife Margaret, the matriarch of the Dutton family. Margaret is tough-as-nails herself, although she struggles to get her teenage daughter to behave. Futhermore, Margaret isn’t as eager to make the journey out west as her husband.

While speaking to the Yellowstone Official Podcast, McGraw recalled how 1883 creator Taylor Sheridan offered him the role and asked if his wife would be interested. “Of course, I’m scared to death of my wife,” McGraw said. “So, it took me a couple of days to even ask her. I asked Faith, ‘Do you think you’d want to play my wife?’ She said, ‘Yeah! Hell yeah, I’m in! Let’s do it.’”

Isabel May as Elsa Dutton

The first episode of 1883 introduced Elsa Dutton as James and Margaret’s teenage daughter. Even from the beginning, Elsa is clearly rebellious and feels constricted by the rules of her society. In the first episode of 1883, she sneaks into the first-class section of the train, where a man flirts with her. The character also narrates the series, as well as the sequel 1923.

Elsa is portrayed by Isabel May, an up-and-coming actor who has previously been seen in Young Sheldon and Alexa & Katie.

Audie Rick as John Dutton

1883‘s youngest cast member is Audie Rick. He portrays John Dutton, the great-grandfather of Kevin Costner’s character in Yellowstone. Given his age, John doesn’t have much to do in 1883.

Dawn Olivieri as Claire Dutton and

1883 introduced Claire Dutton, played by Dawn Olivieri. She’s a pious, sharp woman with no patience for disobedience. She is the biological sister of James Dutton and sister-in-law to Margaret. Claire’s husband Henry died before the start of 1883, leaving her a widow.

Emma Malouff as Mary Abel Dutton

Emma Malouff plays Mary Abel Dutton, the daughter of Claire Dutton. Mary Abel appears to be around the same age as Elsa. She is equally as pious as her mother and shown to be unquestioningly obedient and a stickler for the rules.

Sam Elliott as Shea Brennan

LaMonica Garrett as Thomas and Sam Elliott as Shea of the Paramount+ original series 1883. Shea sits on his horse and Thomas stands next to him.
LaMonica Garrett as Thomas and Sam Elliott as Shea of the Paramount+ original series ‘1883’ | Emerson Miller/Paramount+
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Sam Elliott is an actor who needs no introduction and his role in 1883 has captivated many fans. Elliott plays Shea Brennan, a Pinkerton Agent and Civil War veteran on the Union side. Shea agrees to lead a group of immigrants on the treacherous journey from Fort Worth to Oregon at the beginning of 1883.

Although Shea is tough and rules with an iron fist, there is definitely a softer side to him. The first scene in 1883 reveals that Shea’s wife and daughter died of smallpox. Shea grieves their deaths openly and is also deeply affected when immigrants die on the journey. Shea also deals with PTSD and nightmares from the Civil War.

LaMonica Garrett as Thomas

Finally, LaMonica Garrett’s character Thomas has an extremely interesting past. He grew up in slavery and later became a Buffalo Soldier and served alongside Shea Brennan in the Civil War. Thomas is a free man by the time of 1883 and he works with Shea as a Pinkerton Agent.

In an interview with Esquire, Sam Elliott discussed Thomas and Shea’s relationship. “There’s a reason that they’re hanging together, traveling together, sharing the same tent together. It’s a fascinating part of this thing when you think… this is set in the period that it’s set, and there’s this white guy hanging out with a Black man and they’re like brothers, and it’s like, wow.”

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