Follow us on Google News
Get the latest updates directly in your Google News feed
Sure, few shows have made as much noise as Taylor Sheridan’sYellowstone. While the tales of the Dutton family’s struggle to defend their sprawling Montana ranch have arrested the hearts and minds of millions, the shadows cast by the narrative have not gone unnoticed.
Enter Lily Gladstone, a prominent Native American actor, whose voice rings out like a clarion call against the show’s representation of the American West and its indigenous characters. Can a show that has garnered multiple awards, acclaim, and spawned numerous spin-offs, truly understand and portray the depths of Native American struggles?
In a 2023 interview, Gladstone, who has repeatedly auditioned forYellowstonedue to the scant roles available, described the Kevin Costner-led series as “Delusional! Deplorable!”. With the debate heating up, even Hollywood heavyweights like Helen Mirren have weighed in, offering a stark contrast in perspective to Gladstone’s scorching critique.
Lily Gladstone Critiqued Taylor Sheridan’sYellowstone: A Delusional Take on the American West
In the dusty plains of Tinseltown, one Native American actor is riding into town on a horse of a different color.Lily Gladstonehas grabbed several media headlines with her scathing criticism of the hit showYellowstone.
“We were sore and we were all dying inside”: Helen Mirren Had Enough of Taylor Sheridan’s Cowboy Camp as She Refused to Do 1 Thing in 1923
The show, created byTaylor Sheridan, follows the tumultuous adventures of the Dutton family as they attempt to maintain control over their sprawling Montana ranch. Along the way, they butt heads with powerful foes, including the residents of the Broken Rock Indian Reservation. But for Gladstone, the portrayal of Native Americans on the show is nothing short of“Delusional! Deplorable!”
In aVultureinterview, Gladstone didn’t mince words when discussing her audition experiences forYellowstone:
No offense to the Native talent in that. I auditioned several times. That’s what we had.
Her remarks have struck a chord, stirring the pot and igniting a broader conversation about authenticity in media. Despite her criticisms, Gladstone made it clear that she holds no ill will towards the Native actors who have found success on the show.
But her beef withYellowstoneisn’t just a small side dish—it’s the main course. She’s got a bone to pick with the show’s portrayal of the American West, accusing it of perpetuating stereotypes and turning Native people into mere props in the grand spectacle of frontier drama.
And she’s not flying solo in this critique; even Helen Mirren has stepped into the ring, tossing her hat into the discussion.
Helen Mirren Has a Different Perspective on Lily Gladstone’sCriticism of Taylor Sheridan
From what we’ve seen so far, the Taylor Sheridan universe—stretching fromYellowstoneto1883and now1923—has really pulled out all the stops for its female characters. WhenHelen Mirren, a star who could light up the night sky, was asked how her character, Cara, stacks up against trailblazers like Elsa (Isabel May) and Beth Dutton (Kelly Reilly), she didn’t hold back in singing Sheridan’s praises (viaSlashFilm):
What an incredible gift Taylor Sheridan has given to actresses — and about time, incidentally. I watched some of ‘Yellowstone,’ but mostly, I watched ‘1883,’ I think.
Mirren’sportrayal of Cara Duttonis set against a backdrop of societal upheaval. The first episode paints a vivid picture of the Duttons’ unyielding dedication to their cattle—a“herd first” mentality that means every personal desire takes a backseat. The actress’ take on Sheridan’s approach to historical storytelling is nothing short of revelatory.
She praised his“cold and piercing eye” on American history, contrasting it with the sanitized versions of yesteryear.
“What we would love to do is… turn anything into a franchise”: Taylor Sheridan Giving Tulsa King the Yellowstone Treatment Could Mean a Dwight Prequel Series With Milo Ventimiglia Playing a Young Sylvester Stallone
The actress also reflected on the dramatic shifts of the 20th century with the eloquence of a historian and the clarity of a sage. When you look at the“20th century,”she mused, “from 1900 to 2000”, it’s like watching the rise and fall of empires in fast forward. To quote her:
And I think specifically for America, it was the creation of America, really, in the 20th century. The America that we know and understand now. Of course, there was an America before, and Taylor absolutely is going to deal with that. He’s always given huge attention to the Native American story.
As Mirren eloquently puts it, the 20th century was a rollercoaster of events that shaped America as we know it today. And Sheridan is not one to shy away from the complexities of Native American history, giving it the attention it deserves.
Yellowstone, 1923 & 1883are available for streaming on Paramount+.
Siddhika Prajapati
Senior Journalist & Content Head
Articles Published :3310
With over 3,300 articles carved into the digital walls of FandomWire, Siddhika Prajapati excels at creating, curating, and elevating engaging stories. She takes pride in giving these stories a home and, of course, she’s got a Google Knowledge Panel to prove it!Whether it’s reviewing the latest drop on Netflix, Amazon Prime, or Apple TV+, or analyzing the cultural echoes of a streaming hit on Paramount+ or Max, Siddhika is always writing three steps ahead of the discourse.
