Many fans of Paramount network's Yellowstone will tell you that the cast is one of the best parts of the series, and that’s pretty high praise considering the show has been nominated for awards in cinematography, production design, and more.
Yellowstone's line-up is certainly full of talent, containing a mix of established icons and rising stars. Some of the roles are played so well that it's difficult to imagine anyone else playing them, but what would the show look like if we made this neo-Western slightly less "neo" and cast it with actors who were in their prime or up-and-coming during the 1990s?
Sam Elliot As John Dutton
Western film icon Sam Elliot is no stranger to playing cutthroat ranchers. He made his film debut in 1969 after taking a minor role in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, but his standout roles include Tombstone, The Quick and the Dead, Road House, and The Big Lebowski. Many of his previous roles involve him playing a mentor, and the part of John Dutton would allow Elliot to explore how that dynamic can turn dark in high-pressure situations. Luckily for fans of the series and the western genre as a whole, Elliot will be joining the Yellowstone universe as John Dutton’s forefather in the new Paramount+ series 1883.
Linda Hamilton As Beth Dutton
Famously known for playing Sarah Connor The Terminator and Terminator 2: Judgement Day, Linda Hamilton has proven that she can portray a multifaceted, intelligent, resilient woman who is willing to put her life on the line for what’s important to her, which would make her an ideal candidate to play hard-hitter Beth Dutton.
Aside from a few guest appearances, Hamilton wasn’t taking television roles in the 90s. S series like Yellowstone would’ve given her the perfect opportunity to showcase her ability to embody the complex qualities and emotions of a character like Beth in an in-depth, long-term medium.
Tim Roth As Jamie Dutton
Jamie Dutton regularly finds himself at odds with his family and strongly disagrees with their methods of maintaining ownership of their ranch. In a show full of anti-heroes and morally gray characters, it can be difficult to pinpoint who the “bad guy” is, but Jamie’s feud with Beth and his selfishness push him into “antagonist” territory for many viewers.
Often cast as the villain or outsider in action films, especially in the 1990s, Tim Roth would make an excellent Jamie. Roth played the double-crosser in Reservoir Dogs and the intelligent swindler in Deceiver, showing he would be more than qualified to take on the role of Jamie Dutton.
Brendan Fraser As Jamie Dutton
While his more famous 90s films tended to be comedies or action flicks like The Mummy, Brendan Fraser’s work in less popular movies such as Gods and Monsters proved he could deliver excellent dramatic performances as well. His ability to succeed within multiple genres would make him an obvious pick to play a part in a series that combines drama, Western, action, and so much more. The role of Kayce, a character who experiences great moral turmoil, would provide him with the opportunity to share his talent range with a larger audience.
Michelle St. John As Monica Long Dutton
While nowadays Michelle St. John opts to use her skills and experience to produce documentaries centered on telling the stories of the peoples indigenous to the Americas, such as Amplify, she regularly worked as an actress in the 90s and is best known for her work as Nakoma in Disney’s Pocahontas and Komi in the Canadian drama Where the Spirit Lives.
Her past productions show off a wide range of emotions, making her a perfect choice for a character like Monica, who experiences the whole gamut of emotions throughout the series as a result of the family she married into.
Mario Van Peebles As Rip Wheeler
Rip Wheeler is a hardworking wrangler committed to preserving the Dutton family ranch by any means necessary. He has a soft spot that pops up as he is romantically involved with Beth Dutton, and John Dutton often sees Wheeler as his adopted son more than he does his actual adopted son, Jamie.
Van Peebles, also the talented director behind several episodes of Empire, has experience playing the part of a cowboy as he played the role of Jesse Lee in the 1993 film Posse. Even in the 90s, Van Peebles had plenty of experience on both sides of the camera, and his presence would make an excellent addition to the Yellowstone cast list.
Fairuza Balk As Teeter
Few well-known actresses of the 1990s were able to portray eccentric, wild characters as well as Fairuza Balk. Although her characters tended to be gloomy and gothic (she played Nancy in The Craft), her acting skills and uniqueness could definitely transfer to the role of Teeter, a spunky, fearless ranch hand hired by the Duttons who quickly becomes the life of the bunkhouse. The role would allow her to play the edgy, quirky characters she was known for while moving away from the dark, witchy women she was often typecast as.
Rue McClanahan As Caroline Warner
A new face to the Yellowstone series, Caroline Warner — CEO of Market Equities — is after the Dutton Ranch. She is an antagonist with unlimited resources as well as a fiery and determined personality. A seasoned and talented actress such as Rue McClanahan would’ve been an exceptional contender to take on this role and put her own unique spin on it. Famous for playing the role of Blanche Devereaux in The Golden Girls, McClanahan was well versed in playing powerful, spunky women, and her talent would’ve made her a valuable asset to the Yellowstone series.
Lynn Whitfield As Willa Hayes
Throughout her 30 year career, Lynn Whitfield has been known for playing “mean” roles, but simply describing these parts as “mean” can lead viewers to undervalue the depth and complexity she brings to her characters. Her most notable films include beloved fan favorites such as Eve’s Bayou, The Josephine Baker Story, and A Thin Line Between Love and Hate.
A newcomer to Yellowstone in season 3, Willa Hayes is a sharp, merciless businesswoman who has joined the list of people who are after ownership the Dutton’s land. Whitfield has appeared in film after film that she can bring the energy needed to match the talent that Karen Pittman has displayed as the modern Hayes.
Matthew Lillard As Jimmy Hurdstrom
Jimmy Hurdstrom is a branded cowboy employed by the Duttons on their ranch. He is a bit of a goofball and not very confident in his abilities early on in the show, but Rip and senior ranch hand Lloyd Pierce take him under their wings and help Jimmy develop the skills he will need to succeed on the ranch.
Matthew Lillard, who gained popularity in the 90s in films such as Scream and SLC Punk!, would excel at capturing the comedic and dramatic qualities that make Jimmy compelling. Lillard has also undergone a recent resurgence on account of his wide range of roles, so there is no doubt he would’ve been able to accurately play a criminal turned cowboy on a Montana ranch.