‘Hatfields & McCoys’: The Kevin Costner Western TV Series That Predates ‘Yellowstone’

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If you’re a fan of Taylor Sheridan’s work, especially Yellowstone, and eagerly awaiting the show’s spin-offs, you might enjoy the History Channel’s 2012 miniseries, Hatfields & McCoys. Starring Kevin Costner—who leads Yellowstone—this well-regarded three-part series tells the true story of the long-running feud between the Hatfield and McCoy families after the Civil War.

Even though Hatfields & McCoys takes place in a different time and place than Yellowstone, it has a very similar style and feel – almost as if Taylor Sheridan had a hand in it. With its intense violence, dramatic storytelling, and strong cast, it’s a great show to watch if you’re a Yellowstone fan, especially while we wait for the Y: Marshals spin-off to come out in March 2026.

What is ‘Hatfields & McCoys’ About?


History Channel

In May 2012, the History Channel launched its first scripted TV drama, a three-part miniseries called Hatfields & McCoys. The series focused on the true story of the long-running and often violent feud between the Hatfield and McCoy families, which took place along the Kentucky-Virginia border during and after the American Civil War, specifically starting in 1863.

Kevin Costner stars as William “Devil Anse” Hatfield, a Virginia man and former Confederate soldier who leads his family in a decades-long fight for land against the McCoy family. Bill Paxton, in one of his final roles, plays Randolph McCoy, the Kentucky family patriarch and Confederate sympathizer who suffered the loss of five children during the infamous Hatfield-McCoy feud – a conflict that affected families for years to come.

Beyond the strong performances of Kevin Costner and Bill Paxton in their Western roles, Hatfields & McCoys features an even more talented cast than Yellowstone. The show stars Tom Berenger, Powers Boothe, Boyd Holbrook, Jena Malone, Noel Fisher, Mare Winningham, and a host of other skilled actors with film experience, creating a cinematic feel that made watching the three-part series feel like being at a movie event.

The miniseries Hatfields & McCoys looks remarkably like a movie, thanks to director Kevin Reynolds overseeing all three parts. This is unusual for modern TV shows, which often have different directors for each episode. Taylor Sheridan achieved a similar effect with the first season of Yellowstone, directing all nine episodes based on scripts he wrote.

One reason Hatfields & McCoys earned five Primetime Emmys—including acting wins for Kevin Costner and Thomas Berenger—was its successful filming in Romania, which convincingly stood in for the American states of Virginia and Kentucky. Costner’s performance also won him a Golden Globe, and it likely impressed Taylor Sheridan when he was choosing an actor to play the lead role of the Dutton family in Yellowstone.

Why ‘Hatfields & McCoys’ Feels Like a Taylor Sheridan Show, Explained


History Channel

Beyond its Western setting and familiar imagery, the TV series Hatfields & McCoys strongly resembles the work of Taylor Sheridan, suggesting it likely influenced him. A key factor seems to be Kevin Costner’s star power and his history of playing Western characters, a trend visible in films like Silverado, Dances with Wolves, Wyatt Earp, and Open Range.

Both Hatfields & McCoys and Yellowstone feature extremely violent and brutal scenes. While most shows avoid showing the deaths of children, these two series don’t shy away from depicting the harsh realities of life on the American frontier, no matter how grim. However, despite all the violence, both shows sometimes become overly dramatic and sentimental, lessening the impact of the brutality.

Both shows share a tragic feel reminiscent of Shakespearean plays. In Hatfields & McCoys, a forbidden romance between Johnse Hatfield and Roseanna McCoy ignites and worsens the long-standing family feud. This echoes the relationship between Beth and Rip in Yellowstone, where personal loyalty often clashes with family obligations, especially considering the dangerous rivalry with Jamie Dutton. Both storylines highlight characters willing to turn against their own families for love or personal advantage.

Considering its genre, central ideas, overall mood, and slow storytelling style, it’s likely Taylor Sheridan was familiar with Hatfields & McCoys before creating Yellowstone. He started working on Yellowstone in 2013, just a year after Hatfields & McCoys finished airing. Regardless, fans of Yellowstone will probably enjoy the gripping action and strong acting in the original History Channel miniseries.

How Hatfields & McCoys Compares to Yellowstone’s Success, Explained


History Channel

Taylor Sheridan’s shows on Paramount+ have found success similar to the History Channel’s Hatfields & McCoys. Both Yellowstone and Hatfields & McCoys were the first original scripted dramas for their respective networks – Yellowstone for Paramount+ and Hatfields & McCoys for the History Channel.

Both shows were huge hits for their networks. Hatfields & McCoys was the History Channel’s most-watched program ever, drawing 13.9 million viewers for the first part, 13.13 million for the second, and 14.29 million for the third (according to TV by The Numbers). Only live sports events were more popular.

While not as widely watched as some other shows, the fourth season finale of Yellowstone still drew over 9.3 million viewers, according to Showbiz Daily. More importantly, the show’s success over five seasons helped establish Paramount+ as a major player in the streaming world, and led to the creation of spin-offs like 1883, 1923, The Madison, Y: Marshals, and more that are currently being developed.

The popularity of shows like Hatfields & McCoys and Yellowstone helped the History Channel and Paramount+ grow. Building on this success, the History Channel produced popular original dramas and miniseries, including Vikings, Knightfall, Kennedy, The Bible, Grant, Houdini, and more. Similarly, Yellowstone‘s success allowed creator Taylor Sheridan to develop additional shows for Paramount+ such as Landman, Tulsa King, Mayor of Kingstown, Lioness, and The Last Cowboy.

It’s unlikely Taylor Sheridan aimed to replicate the success of Hatfields & McCoys for Paramount+, but fans who enjoy his TV work will likely appreciate the 2012 Kevin Costner Western. Despite the different time periods and locations, the Western shares a similar feel and style with Hatfields & McCoys.

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2025-12-02 19:24