Before Yellowstone , Westerns were considered a dying genre for older audiences. Networks thought "cowboys" meant Gunsmoke reruns.
The pilot episode of Yellowstone received positive reviews from critics and audiences alike. The show's premiere drew in over 2.5 million viewers, making it one of the most-watched cable television series premieres of 2018. The show's success can be attributed to its unique blend of family drama, Western themes, and high-stakes action. Yellowstone Season 1 - Episode 1
It is rare in television history for a premiere episode to fire on all cylinders—establishing a complex world, introducing seven morally gray main characters, and setting a tone of brutal violence—all within 90 minutes. Yet, co-creator Taylor Sheridan (of Sicario and Hell or High Water fame) managed to do just that. Before Yellowstone , Westerns were considered a dying
The Dutton family is the horse—magnificent, powerful, but ultimately trapped and bleeding out in the modern world. The show's premiere drew in over 2