As he continues to dominate the genre with multiple projects,Kevin Costner’s historical Western miniseries that was also his first major TV role is getting a new streaming home. Costner is considered one of the more prolific creatives in modern filmmaking, working as an actor, writer, director and producer,having won two Oscars for Best Picture and Best Directorfor his work on the 1990adaptation of Michael Blake’sDances with Wolves.
Though not his first in the genre, that movie certainly solidified Costner’s penchant for working in the world of Westerns after having previously starred in 1985’sSilverado. In the years since, the Oscar winner has kept his genre trend alive and well with everything from 1994’sWyatt Earp, in which he was also a producer, to 2003’sOpen Range, his third directorial effort, and hisHorizon: An American Sagafranchise, of which only two of his planned four films have been shot. Costner also starred and executive produced four and a half seasons ofYellowstonebefore his infamous exithalfway through season 5.
Did You Know:Hatfields & McCoysmarked the fourth collaboration between Costner and director Kevin Reynolds afterFandango, Robin Hood: Prince of ThievesandWaterworld.
Costner’s Hatfields & McCoys Is Coming To Prime Video
The Western Miniseries Was Costner’s First Major TV Project
After a celebrated career on the big screen, Costner found his first major TV role inHatfields & McCoys. The History Channel miniseries chronicled the infamous 28-year feud between the titular Kentucky and West Virginia families, fueled by the American Civil War and land disputes, which further escalated into revenge killings by both parties. Led by Costner and Golden Globe and Emmy nominee Bill Paxton asthe Hatfield and McCoy patriarchs,the miniseries was a big hit on its 2012 premiere, scoring largely positive reviews and record ratings for History and cable TV as a whole.
Now, some 12 years later after its initial premiere, Costner’sHatfields and McCoyshas found a new streaming home (viaCBR).The historical Western miniseries is set to premiere on Prime Video on December 1, putting it roughly six months shy of the three-part event’s 13-year anniversary of debuting on History Channel.
Why You Should Watch Costner’s Hatfields & McCoys Miniseries
A Brilliant Ensemble Cast Mixed With A Sprawling Story Makes For A Historical Thrill Ride
While the miniseries may be nearly 13 years old, there’s still a wide variety of reasons why Costner’sHatfields & McCoysis well worth the watch when it comes to Prime Video in December. First and foremostare the performances of the show’s cast, particularly that of Costner and Paxtonas the central figures of the historical family feud. Both actors scored Emmy nominations for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or Movie, with the former bringing the statue home, along with the Golden Globe for the same category.
Even beyond Costner and Paxton,Hatfields & McCoys' cast was stacked with a variety of stars, many of whom had a similarly established history in the Western genre, likeDeadwood’s Powers Boothe. There were also a number of actors who would later become household names for other projects,includingfutureSandmanstar Boyd Holbrookas the second-born Hatfield son “Cap”,Hunger Gamesvet Jena Malone as McCoy spouse Nancy andShameless' Noel Fisher.
Where Was Hatfields & McCoys Filmed? Filming Locations Explained
The History Channel miniseries Hatfields & McCoys (2012) wasn’t filmed on location but evoked the feeling of all the important places to the feud.
With three parts totaling a 290-minute runtime,Hatfields & McCoysis also perfect for those who enjoy sprawling Western stories. Much like Costner’s later work ontheHorizonmovies, the miniseries nicely offers a more nuanced take on the titular families' feud than most prior adaptations have shown, while also still delivering just enough brutal action sequences to keep modern audiences hooked.
How Hatfields & McCoys Compares To Costner’s Other Western Genre Efforts
The Miniseries Largely Rises Above His Post-Dances With Wolves Projects
While the aforementioned awards may indicate the miniseries saw nothing but widespread acclaim on its release,Hatfields & McCoyswasn’t exactly a perfectly reviewed show. With 24 reviews calculated,the historical Western holds a 71% approval rating from critics on Rotten Tomatoes, indicating a generally positive reception, albeit with a fair number of detractors, who largely criticized its pacing as being dull. Audiences, on the other hand, were far more favorable by comparison, awarding it a 93% rating.
As far asCostner’s general Western genre career,Hatfields & McCoyssits reasonably high. Even after 34 years,Dances With Wolvesholds the top spot with its 87% critical score on Rotten Tomatoes, while the neo-Western thrillerLet Him Gocomes in at a close second with 85% andOpen Rangeat the No. 3 spot, while on the small screen,Yellowstonereigns supreme with four of its five seasons clocking in over 80%, including season 3’s 100%. Check out howHatfields & McCoyscompares to Costner’s other Western efforts in the chart below, in order of release:
78%
80%
87%
31%
61%
79%
84%
71%
93%
58%
83%
89%
90%
100%
85%
76%
91%
82%
40%
51%
70%
N/A
As made clear by the chart above, audiences are pretty much always in support of Costner’s Western genre efforts, even ifHorizon: An American Saga — Chapter 1’s box officedidn’t show it. However, considering the first of his four-part Western epic went on to become a streaming hit on its Max debut, it’ll be interesting to see ifHatfields & McCoysends up climbing Prime Video’s charts in a similar fashion as fans of the filmmaker look for other genre efforts from the Oscar winner while waiting forChapter 2’s release.
Hatfields & McCoys
Cast
Hatfields & McCoys is a historical miniseries depicting the infamous family feud between the Hatfields and the McCoys. Set in the post-Civil War era, it showcases how escalating tensions and personal grievances nearly incited a war between Kentucky and West Virginia.
