Tim McGraw and Faith Hill wanted roles in '1883' to be 'real,' 'authentic'

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Faith Hill and Tim McGraw called on their parental instincts for "1883," a prequel to the modern TV drama "Yellowstone."

The country music stars, long married with children, play a couple heading westward with their youngsters through untamed wilderness in search of opportunity. The series debuts Sunday on the Paramount+ streaming service.

McGraw says it was hard not to think of his own family in portraying James Dutton.

"It’s certainly different circumstances, of course. But being the dad of three daughters really helped play and create this sort of relationship" with his screen daughter, Elsa, McGraw said.

Tim McGraw and Faith Hill reflected on their roles for the "Yellowstone" prequel "1883" in a new interview. (Gabe Ginsberg/Getty Images for for Paramount+)

TIM MCGRAW AND FAITH HILL SET TO STAR IN ‘YELLOWSTONE' PREQUEL

Isabel May plays Elsa, with Audie Rick as her young brother.

McGraw appreciates his character's devotion to family and admires his bravery.

"When you think about this guy (who) takes off, and he’s going to go by himself in a wagon across uncharted territory with his wife, his daughter, a 5-year-old son and two other women, who thinks that they can do that?" McGraw said.

For Hill, it was natural for deep-seated maternal protectiveness to infuse the role of Margaret Dutton.

"I will protect my kids," Hill said, an instinct that "kicked in in ‘1883’ as Margaret, as it does today. It’s just a natural thing that happens. And so don’t stand in my way, or I will hurt you."

The couple, who are married in real life, came up with a deal not to rehearse or talk about their scenes outside of work. (Mike Coppola/Getty Images)

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Playing alongside her husband was a little trickier than playing a mom. The couple came up with a plan to not rehearse their scenes outside of the set, or even talk about them.

"After being married for 25 years, both of us felt that would be the most authentic way that we could portray Margaret and James. And we just didn’t want either one of us to have a preconceived notion of what they would be. We just wanted it to be real and as authentic as possible," Hill said.

McGraw says he loved the idea that at this point in their lives, the couple had the opportunity to work together in "something this epic, this big and this strong."

"We were just awe-inspired by it," McGraw said.

McGraw and Hill wanted the scenes to be as "real" and "authentic" as possible. (John Shearer/Getty Images for Country Music Hall Of Fame & Museum)

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The Dutton family journey, which takes them through the Great Plains toward the territory of Montana, is part of the western expansion that reflected the nation's belief that it was destined to settle all of North America.

The cast also includes Sam Elliott, Billy Bob Thornton and LaMonica Garrett.

"Yellowstone," the story of the modern Dutton family and its ranching empire, stars Kevin Costner, Luke Grimes and Kelly Reilly and is in its fourth season. Its co-creator, Taylor Sheridan, created "1883."