Yellowstone, a sprawling neo-Western set in the captivating vastness of Montana, is famously a ratings leader — the season four finale on Jan. 2 beat the viewership of season three to 81%. But it also has some firsts under the cowboy belt buckle.

It is the first scripted series from the newly formed Paramount Network, which was rebranded from Spike TV and debuted in 2018. It is the first scripted  television project for creator Taylor Sheridan, who impressed critics with the films Sicario, Hell or High Water, and Song Gio.

It marked Kevin Costner’s first regular appearance on a  television series, in the title role of cattle rancher John Dutton.

And now, the show’s family drama about old land grabs, century-old developers, cowboy life and a Native American community fighting for its future — plus a trailer stable of harsh street justice and comically rough brawls — got Screen Actors first Guild Award Nomination for a drama series cast.
Costner, who is also an executive producer on the show, was on hand when casting director John Papsidera began assembling the rest of the cast—“You’re not going to eliminate Kevin Costner,” he said. But between Papsidera’s decades of experience working with the likes of Christopher Nolan and Roland Emmerich, and Sheridan’s extensive contacts from his work as an actor, screenwriter, cowboy (he also plays Travis, on the show) and filmmaker, they have everything they need to assemble a stellar cast around their Oscar-winning stars. “It’s not a question of what names can we have,” Papsidera said. But who can we support this cast with? The more important issue is who is actually right and who actually added to the overall soul of the film.”