“How can I agree to something if …”: Helen Mirren Took a Colossal Risk With ‘1923’ and the Taylor Sheridan-Kevin Costner Feud Proves Why

Helen Mirren’s bold move to join 1923 underscores a key similarity to the drama surrounding the rift between Taylor Sheridan and Kevin Costner.

After initially joining Taylor Sheridan’s Western series with prequel 1923, Helen Mirren is set to reprise her role as Cara Dutton in the upcoming second and final season of the show.

While her performance has earned widespread acclaim, the circumstances surrounding her casting raise concerns about Sheridan’s unconventional approach, especially in light of the rift between him and Kevin Costner.

Helen Mirren in 1923 | Credit: Paramount+

Costner has claimed that despite being signed on to return for Yellowstone Season 5B, he left the show because the script never materialized on time.

And Mirren revealing that she also signed on to the show without the availability of a script, casts a shadow on Sheridan’s unconventional methods.

Helen Mirren revealed she signed Taylor Sheridan’s 1923 without a script

While reflecting on how she landed the role of Cara Dutton in the Yellowstone prequel series, 1923, Helen Mirren highlighted Taylor Sheridan’s unconventional approach to production.

In a previous interview with Deadline, the Oscar-winning actress revealed how she was cast in the show without the availability of a script.

A still from 1923 | Credit: Paramount+

She shared,

I think the original approach came through my agent. And as one normally does, you say “Oh that’s interesting. I would love to read a script.”

And he said, “Oh no no no there is no script.”

Mirren admitted being surprised by the approach, as she said, “That’s unheard of! How can I agree to something if I haven’t read a script?”

However, she was then told, “Sheridan likes to write for the people he knows who are playing the roles.”

The actress then decided to personally meet the Yellowstone showrunner.

“I went to meet with him in Texas and had a wonderful time,” she said before adding, “I just really enjoyed his company.”

After meeting Sheridan, Mirren took a bold step and jumped into the unknown, trusting Sheridan’s vision.

And she expressed fulfillment with her decision, calling it, “one of the really great experiences” of her life.

Taylor Sheridan | Credit: Paramount+

So I thought, “Yeah okay, and I’ll jump in the deep end and have a go.” And I’m so thrilled that I did because I think it’s going to be one of the really great experiences of my life.

However, while Mirren has thoroughly enjoyed her time on the show, Sheridan’s approach to storytelling also seems to be the underlying issue in Kevin Costner’s exit from the show, who later claimed that he left the show due to the lack of availability of a script on time.

Kevin Costner reflected on Yellowstone scheduling conflicts and his exit

Kevin Costner’s character John Dutton met an unexpected end in the series finale following his exit from the show, which was attributed to scheduling conflicts and later sparked a widely discussed feud between the actor and the show’s creator, Taylor Sheridan.

Kevin Costner in Yellowstone | Credit: Paramount+

Discussing the reasons behind the scheduling conflicts, Costner later revealed, “There were no scripts.”

The actor further explained in an interview with Deadline,

I left my movie to be on time for them for 5B. I left exactly when they wanted, and it made it hard on me.

It turns out they didn’t have the scripts for 5B. They needed four more days just to complete the first eight episodes.

He also suggested that there have been ongoing issues with scheduling and deadlines since the very first season of the show.

He said, “I’m trying to help you.

You haven’t been able to meet the deadline either on the first season completely, the B thing, or the sixth season.”

Despite these challenges, Costner emphasized that he always fulfilled his contractual obligations, going above and beyond to help with production, especially due to his commitments to his film Horizon: An American Saga.

Horizon: An American Saga | Credit: Netflix

I worked the nine-day stretch just to try to help them in July, when I was starting [Horizon] August 1.

I worked a Saturday and Sunday for them, and they still needed four more days.

I gave it to them, when I thought we were going to do this so-called B, but there was no B thing.

I was just going to give ‘em those extra four days.

However, Costner noted that all these efforts were undermined by the lack of scripts, which disrupted the entire production, leading to delays and scheduling conflicts.

Costner’s claims highlight the risks and potential downside of Sheridan’s unconventional approach, particularly the challenge it poses for actors working within such an unpredictable framework.

Yellowstone and 1923 are available to watch on Paramount+.