While filming an episode of 1883 season 1, Faith Hill slapped country star Tim McGraw during an emotional scene. Created by Sicario writer Taylor Sheridan, the series served as a prequel to Yellowstone, depicting the back story of how the Dutton family first settled on the land that would later become the highly sought-after Yellowstone ranch. 1883 was initially intended to conclude after the one season, but Sheridan has since decided to expand the franchise with a second season focusing on Bass Reeves, the legendary outlaw hunter.
McGraw and Hill, real-life husband and wife country music singers, portrayed James and Margaret Dutton in the Western series as they led their family and a platoon of various immigrants to a better life in Oregon. The journey tested the Dutton's resolve numerous times resulting in several heated exchanges. However, one pivotal scene required Hill to get physical with her husband.
While a guest on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, McGraw recalled an emotional moment when Hill had to slap her husband's face. The actor told Fallon that he understood that their presence alone would be immersion-breaking just by being cast in the show. McGraw explained that he and his wife had to give it their all. Adhering to a method form of acting, the actor admitted to being slapped several times to get the shot needed for a critical scene. Read McGraw and Fallon's exchange on the late-night talk show below.
McGraw: "There was a scene that we did where she had to slap me."
Fallon: "That was not a real slap. That was a TV slap."
McGraw: "No. That was a real slap."
Fallon: "Was that your idea?"
McGraw: "Well... we talked about it before, we didn't want to do a TV slap, we wanted to do a real slap. But after about the eighth take...when I was concussed a bit. And I told her afterwards, 'Do we need to talk? There's something going on I don't know about?' You know, I was expecting a good finger-slap. No. It was a palm. It was like Rocky hitting me."
The scene in question occurred in episode 9, "Racing Clouds," where James revealed to his wife Margaret that their daughter Elsa (Isabel May) was going to succumb to her injuries in a few days she suffered in a skirmish and die. Elsa's death was teased from the very first scene in the series, and the confrontation between James and Elsa resulted from built-up tension since the start of their journey. Although McGraw claims he suffered tough blows from his wife, the singer-actor appeared to look back fondly at those moments and complimented his wife's talent, adding, "She showed up every day and just blew me away. She elevated my game. Every day."
McGraw and Hill were widely praised for their roles as the Dutton ancestors in the prequel series. However, it remains unclear whether or not the couple will reprise their roles for a second season because 1883 season 2 is set to focus on an entirely different character, Bass Reeves. Regardless, the country singing couple has wowed audiences with their performances, and many critics regard them as contenders for Emmy nominations.