Paramount
Taylor Sheridan, creator of the “Yellowstone” universe, has a knack for incorporating cameos into his works. Not only does he make appearances himself, most notably as horse trainer Travis Wheatley in “Yellowstone”, but he also made a brief appearance in the prequel series “1883” as Charles Goodnight, a cattle-thief hunter and rancher. Billy Bob Thornton, future star of “Landman”, also made a cameo as Marshal Jim Courtright. However, the cameo that really caught everyone’s attention was when Tom Hanks, the acclaimed Oscar-winning actor, appeared as General George Meade, a historical figure from the American Civil War. But how did this limited series manage to secure a cameo from such a renowned actor, especially one who would share the screen with Tim McGraw? The answer is simple: McGraw asked him.
In a 2021 interview with Cinema Blend, McGraw revealed that he and Hanks have a long-standing friendship, making it easy for him to invite Hanks to join the project. “We’ve been friends for a long time,” said McGraw. “Rita, his wife, and Faith are best friends, and Tom and I’ve been friends for nearly 25 years.” McGraw saw an opportunity for them to work together and didn’t hesitate to ask Hanks to do a cameo. “I knew that there was this part in [the script], and I gave him a call [and] said, ‘Hey, would you be interested in showing up to do a cameo in this show that we’re doing?’ And he goes, ‘Tell me when to be there,’ and he just showed up.” However, filming the scene with Hanks was a different story altogether.
The Pressure of Sharing the Screen with Tom Hanks in 1883
Paramount
Since the release of “1883”, it’s clear that Tim McGraw had nothing to fear concerning his performance as James Dutton, the patriarch of the Dutton family. However, acting opposite Tom Hanks would understandably cause anyone to feel nervous. Their on-screen time together provided a glimpse into James’ past near the end of the war, with a poignant conversation with Meade following the Battle of Antietam in 1862. “You never want to botch a scene when you got Tom Hanks in there with you,” admitted McGraw.
Even though Hanks and McGraw shared a moment on screen, it wasn’t until a few episodes later that their wives also had a similar experience. In the sixth episode titled “Boring the Devil,” Rita Wilson, Hanks’ wife, appears as Carolyn, a shopkeeper who interacts with James and Margaret Dutton (portrayed by Faith Evans, Tim McGraw’s wife). The two ladies share some light-hearted, tipsy fun before Margaret continues her perilous journey in search of a place to settle down. Wilson responded to a set photo posted by Evans on Instagram, stating, “You are both excellent in this series. So proud to be a part of it. And, oh, yeah, we had ourselves some fun!” For a series that’s typically grim and harsh, this moment is a refreshing change, underscoring the rarity of such encounters.
You can now stream “1883” on Paramount+.
FAQs
Who are the main actors in 1883?
1883 features Tim McGraw as James Dutton, Faith Evans as Margaret Dutton, and Sam Elliott as Shea Brennan. The series also includes a cameo appearance by Tom Hanks as General George Meade.
How did Tom Hanks end up making a cameo in 1883?
Tom Hanks’ cameo in 1883 came about because of his long-standing friendship with Tim McGraw, who asked Hanks if he’d be interested in appearing in the show.
Is 1883 a prequel to Yellowstone?
Yes, 1883 is a prequel to Yellowstone, providing a backstory to the Dutton family’s origins.
Where can I watch 1883?
1883 is currently streaming on Paramount+.
Credit: www.slashfilm.com
