Yellowstone Creator Taylor Sheridan Had To Make 1883 In An Impossible Amount Of Time
Creating 1883, the prequel to Yellowstone, was no small feat for Taylor Sheridan, who was thrust into a high-pressure situation when ViacomCBS demanded the show be ready in an incredibly tight timeframe. In 2021, Sheridan was already deep into the current Yellowstone storylines when the studio urged him to launch 1883 on Paramount’s streaming service. With only seven months to go from concept to completed production, Sheridan faced what many would consider an impossible challenge.
The pressure was immense. Sheridan had already written the 1883 pilot, but when ViacomCBS exec Keyes Hill-Edgar reviewed it, he quickly saw its potential for helping to launch the network’s new streaming service. Sheridan recalls the pivotal moment when Hill-Edgar called him, saying, “We need it this year.” Despite Sheridan’s concerns about the tight timeline, Hill-Edgar insisted it needed to air within that year, adding, “We’re betting the house on this.” With this pressure mounting, Sheridan had to work fast and creatively to get 1883 off the ground.
The challenge was monumental. Sheridan had no cast, no locations, and no scripts beyond the pilot when production needed to begin. He needed to pull everything together at lightning speed. Despite this, Sheridan pushed forward, confident in his vision for the show. He recalled telling Hill-Edgar that he believed the first episode was the best thing he’d ever written, but that to make it right, he would need full trust from the studio, a dedicated cast, and a top-tier production team.
Sheridan’s bold ask paid off. The studio gave him the resources and the freedom to bring his vision to life. Sheridan was fully aware that the timeline was almost impossible, but he knew that without full support, 1883 could not be made to the high standards he demanded. With everything on the line, Sheridan dove into one of the most challenging periods of the Dutton family’s history, and the result was a show that both fans and critics appreciated for its gripping storytelling and stunning visuals.
Sheridan’s dedication to creating 1883 under such intense pressure shows how far he was willing to go to ensure the success of his vision. Even with the clock ticking, he made the prequel series exactly as he envisioned, taking risks along the way that ultimately paid off. The experience was a testament to his ability to rise to the occasion, even when faced with what seemed like insurmountable odds. 1883 is a key part of the Yellowstone universe, and Sheridan’s relentless commitment to making it work has helped cement the Dutton family’s legacy across multiple generations of storytelling.
