In the ever-expanding world of Yellowstone, few characters have captured audiences quite like Elsa Dutton, brought to life by the talented Isabel May in 1883. The prequel to the hit Paramount series offered a raw and emotional glimpse into the origins of the Dutton family legacy — and with it came one of the most challenging and groundbreaking female performances the franchise has ever seen. Now, as the cast reflects on their journey, Isabel May is opening up about the realities behind her role — the grit, the emotion, and even the uncomfortable side of filming intimate scenes that left fans and crew members alike in awe.

Faith Hill, who portrayed Margaret Dutton, also joined the conversation, offering her own heartfelt take on what it means to embody strong women surviving in an era where every step came with danger, sacrifice, and heartbreak. Together, these two powerhouse actresses shed light on what it was truly like to bring Taylor Sheridan’s vivid, unflinching vision to life — a vision that dared to explore both the physical and emotional costs of survival in the Old West.

From the start, Isabel May was aware that 1883 would demand everything of her. She wasn’t just playing Elsa Dutton — she was becoming her. The sweeping prairies, the unrelenting heat, the horseback journeys, and the emotional rollercoaster of love and loss were all part of Elsa’s story. But what fans might not realize is just how much Isabel herself had to endure to authentically portray those moments.

Before cameras even rolled, Taylor Sheridan insisted that every actor — regardless of experience — attend what he famously called “cowboy camp.” For Isabel, this was both intimidating and exhilarating. “I grew up far from this world,” she admitted in a recent interview. “I didn’t know how to ride, I didn’t know how to rope — but Taylor made sure I learned it all.”

Surprisingly, Isabel turned out to be something of a natural. She recalls the first time she mounted a horse, feeling an instant connection with the animal. “They said, ‘Just try walking it,’ and within an hour I was galloping,” she laughed. “I think Elsa was already living somewhere inside me — wild, curious, and completely fearless.”

Faith Hill echoed the same admiration for her young co-star. “Isabel has this presence,” Hill shared. “She embodies the spirit of Elsa so completely that sometimes I forgot where Isabel ended and Elsa began. That’s a rare thing for any actor.”

But behind that praise came a dose of stark honesty. Isabel didn’t shy away from admitting that certain scenes — particularly the more intimate and emotionally charged ones — were deeply uncomfortable to film. 1883 didn’t romanticize its world; it depicted it with brutal honesty. Love, pain, and survival often collided in ways that left both the characters and the actors shaken.

“Some of those moments were really hard,” Isabel confessed. “Taylor Sheridan wanted everything to feel real — not glamorous or staged, but raw and truthful. It was important to me that Elsa’s story be told with that same honesty, even when it was uncomfortable.”

She continued, describing how the production team went to great lengths to ensure the set was a safe and respectful environment for everyone. “There were boundaries, always,” Isabel clarified. “We rehearsed carefully, and the crew made sure we were comfortable with every step. But emotionally — that was a different story. Elsa’s journey is full of firsts: first love, first heartbreak, and ultimately, first tragedy. Living in those moments took everything out of me.”

Faith Hill related to that struggle, noting that portraying women of that time period meant confronting harsh truths. “Women in the late 1800s were extraordinary,” Hill explained. “They were strong because they had to be. There was no luxury of choice, no safety net. Every day was a battle — for food, for family, for dignity.”

She added that Sheridan’s writing beautifully honored that strength. “Taylor writes women with such depth,” Hill said. “He doesn’t shy away from their vulnerability, but he never defines them by it. That’s what made playing Margaret so fulfilling. She’s tough, she’s loving, she’s flawed — but above all, she’s real.”

That same authenticity is what Isabel credits for Elsa’s lasting impact. Fans connected to Elsa not just because she was brave, but because she was human — messy, passionate, and alive. “Elsa is hope in human form,” Isabel reflected. “She’s that spark that refuses to die, even when the world around her is crumbling. I think that’s why so many people felt so deeply when they watched her story.”

When asked about the most challenging moment on set, Isabel didn’t hesitate. “There’s a scene toward the end of the series that just broke me,” she admitted softly. “It wasn’t about dialogue or action — it was about surrender. Elsa accepts her fate, but she does it with peace. Filming that… it was haunting. I cried for days afterward, not because it was sad, but because it felt so real.”

The physical demands of 1883 also tested Isabel in ways she never anticipated. The long days of riding through dust and heat, the unpredictable weather, and the constant immersion in 19th-century conditions — all of it added layers to her performance. “There was no pretending,” she said. “When you’re freezing in the rain or sweating under the sun for 10 hours, you stop acting. You just exist in that moment. And that’s what makes Taylor’s world so special — it doesn’t let you fake it.”

As for the rumored discomfort surrounding certain scenes, Isabel doesn’t shy away from the truth. “Yes, some of them were uncomfortable — but not for the reasons people might think,” she clarified. “It’s not about the physical side. It’s about emotional vulnerability. When you strip away everything — your safety, your pride, your walls — and let a camera capture that, it’s terrifying. But it’s also freeing.”

Her honesty has earned her widespread respect from both fans and fellow actors. Many see Isabel as the emotional heart of 1883, and even Taylor Sheridan himself has praised her for setting a standard that’s hard to follow. “Isabel understood Elsa better than anyone,” Sheridan once said. “She found the poetry in pain, the beauty in tragedy — and that’s something you can’t teach.”

As Yellowstone continues to evolve and new prequels emerge, from 1923 to the upcoming 2024 installment, Isabel May’s portrayal of Elsa remains a cornerstone of the Dutton family saga. Her journey not only set the tone for the dynasty to come but also reminded viewers why these stories resonate so deeply: because they are built on resilience, love, and loss — the foundations of human endurance.

Faith Hill summed it up perfectly in her parting words: “We weren’t just making a show. We were telling the story of where it all began — the women, the families, the dream of the West. And Isabel… she carried that dream on her shoulders.”

In the end, Isabel May’s openness about the realities of filming — the beauty and the discomfort alike — only deepens fans’ admiration for her. Her courage mirrors Elsa’s own, and it’s that shared strength that makes both the actress and her character unforgettable.

So, while those “uncomfortable” scenes might have tested her limits, they also revealed the core of who Isabel May truly is: a performer unafraid to dive into the depths of truth, no matter how raw, because that’s where the heart of storytelling truly lives.

And that’s what makes 1883 — and the Yellowstone legacy — timeless.