Taylor Sheridan’s 1883 has garnered much acclaim as a Western epic. This limited series offers a truthful depiction of the brutality of the American West and delves into a pivotal era of US history that continues to captivate audiences. As the Dutton family, led by Tim McGraw and Faith Hill’s James and Margaret Dutton, embarks on their journey to the northwest, they encounter notable historical figures. However, the most thrilling surprise came in the form of Academy Award-winner Tom Hanks, who makes a surprise appearance in a Civil War flashback during the second episode, “Behind Us, a Cliff.”
While it is known that Sheridan attracts top-notch actors for significant roles, such as Kevin Costner, Sam Elliott, Billy Bob Thornton, Harrison Ford, Helen Mirren, and soon-to-be Matthew McConaughey, Tom Hanks’ unexpected cameo truly caught fans off guard. Despite appearing in just one scene, Hanks’s presence lingers throughout the miniseries, leaving a lasting impact on McGraw’s James Dutton as they navigate their treacherous journey. However, the question remains: is Hanks portraying a real-life historical figure, or was his appearance merely a way to capitalize on his renowned name?
In the episode, McGraw’s character has a flashback to his time as a soldier in the American Civil War, a period notorious for being the bloodiest in US history. The Western genre often references this era, with stories typically set in the immediate aftermath of the war or featuring characters haunted by their actions during this dark time. 1883 adheres to this convention, revealing that James Dutton fought for the Confederacy. He spent a significant amount of time (three years) imprisoned by the Union before the war’s end. Although we only catch a glimpse of his imprisonment, we witness the aftermath of the Battle of Antietam, which resulted in James’s defeat, leaving him battered and bloodied. It is during this moment that Hanks’s General George Meade appears, offering compassion and empathy to the defeated James. With just a few words, Hanks delivers an unparalleled performance, portraying one of the most authentic portrayals of a military leader in television history.
Indeed, Tom Hanks’s character, General George Meade, is based on a real-life historical figure. In previous adaptations, the Civil War hero was played by Rory Calhoun in the 1982 miniseries The Blue and the Gray and Richard Anderson in Ronald F. Maxwell’s 1993 film Gettysburg. Meade did fight and emerge victorious in the Battle of Antietam, sustaining injuries in the process. However, Meade wasn’t promoted to the rank of Major General until later, and he previously fought in the Battle of Glendale, where he was wounded. Despite his composed demeanor in 1883, the real-life Meade had a reputation for having a short temper, earning him the nickname “The Old Snapping Turtle.” According to Union Army Lt. Col. Horace Porter, who served as President Ulysses S. Grant’s personal secretary, Meade had a volatile temperament that often proved difficult to control.
Taylor Sheridan has a penchant for incorporating real historical figures into his projects, especially those related to Yellowstone. In 1883, numerous characters are based on real figures from the time, such as Charles Goodnight, played by Sheridan himself, who was an iconic rancher and credited inventor of the chuck wagon. Additionally, Billy Bob Thornton’s character, Marshall Jim Courtright, served as a Fort Worth lawman, and while he wasn’t the Marshal in 1883, he had a long tenure in his town before meeting a tragic end. Sheridan has also integrated real-life cowboys into the flagship Yellowstone series, notably Buster Welch, a Texas Cowboy Hall of Famer who made a brief appearance before his passing shortly after filming.
As for the possibility of a sequel to 1883, it is unlikely as the prequel series has concluded. Taylor Sheridan and his team are currently focused on the success of the second prequel series, 1923, and the development of upcoming Yellowstone spin-offs. At one point, there were discussions of an 1883 spin-off titled 1883: The Bass Reeves Story, but Sheridan has since reimagined it as an anthology series titled Lawman: Bass Reeves. With Sheridan’s affinity for infusing American history into his work, Lawman provides the perfect platform for him to incorporate more historical tidbits into his Western epics, much like his portrayal of Tom Hanks as George Meade. Whether these nods to history are entirely accurate or simply enjoyable Easter eggs for amateur historians remains to be seen. However, based on the track record of Sheridan’s work, audiences can rest assured that they will be treated to yet another compelling and immersive storytelling experience.
You can stream 1883 exclusively on Paramount+.
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Khushi Patel is a science fiction author who lives in Austin, Texas. She has published three novels, and her work has been praised for its originality and imagination. Khushi is a graduate of Rice University, and she has worked as a software engineer. She is a member of the Science Fiction Writers of America, and her books have been nominated for several awards.
