“This Western Miniseries With Perfect Quality From Start to Finish Features Kevin Costner’s Most Underrated TV Role”
If you’re a fan of Kevin Costner’s work on Yellowstone and his many Western ventures, there’s one miniseries you shouldn’t overlook. Before Yellowstone cemented him as a modern Western icon, Costner delivered one of his most compelling performances in Hatfields & McCoys, a gritty three-part miniseries that marked History Channel’s first foray into scripted drama.
Clocking in at nearly five hours, the series may seem like a time commitment — but it’s a masterfully told story that rewards every minute. Rooted in real American history, Hatfields & McCoys dramatizes the infamous blood feud between two Appalachian families. Costner takes on the role of William Anderson “Devil” Anse Hatfield, a performance that earned him an Emmy and remains one of his most underappreciated.
Kevin Costner Delivers One of His Darkest Roles in Hatfields & McCoys
While Bill Paxton also delivers a strong performance as Randall McCoy, it’s Costner’s portrayal of the hardened Hatfield patriarch that truly defines the series. He brings a complex emotional depth to the role — embodying a man torn between pride, vengeance, and a warped sense of justice. Unlike John Dutton of Yellowstone, who fights for family legacy, “Devil” Anse is fueled by old wounds and an unrelenting need to settle the score, no matter the cost.
Costner himself described the character as having an “almost biblical level of hardness” in an interview with The Los Angeles Times. That chilling stoicism is evident in scenes where “Devil” Anse shows no mercy — whether witnessing war crimes or refusing to release captured enemies. His moral code is murky at best, and yet, Costner makes the character tragically human.
A Story of Bloodshed, Regret, and Redemption
As the feud escalates, we witness “Devil” Anse evolve from a ruthless leader to a man haunted by the weight of endless violence. One of the most striking moments comes in the final act, when Anse, once devoid of compassion, is baptized — an act that may or may not signal true redemption. Costner plays the moment with quiet devastation, allowing viewers to question whether the transformation is real or simply the last act of a broken man.
What makes Hatfields & McCoys so powerful is its ability to portray both Costner’s and Paxton’s characters as two sides of the same tragic coin. While Anse begins to let go of the war within, Randall McCoy becomes consumed by it. Their intertwined downfall forms the emotional backbone of the series.
More Than Just an Actor: Costner’s Musical Touch
Costner didn’t just star in Hatfields & McCoys — he also contributed musically through his band, Kevin Costner & Modern West. Their album Famous for Killing Each Other, inspired by the series, captures the tone and spirit of the story. Songs like “I Know These Hills,” the theme track, lend even more authenticity to the production, showing just how invested Costner was in every layer of the project.
Hatfields & McCoys is more than just another Western — it’s a haunting, slow-burning tale of legacy, vengeance, and the price of pride. And while the ensemble cast is packed with talent, including Tom Berenger, Jena Malone, and Boyd Holbrook, it’s Kevin Costner’s unforgettable performance as “Devil” Anse Hatfield that anchors the entire series. His work here is a reminder that some of the best performances happen quietly, without fanfare — and they deserve to be revisited.
Whether you’re a fan of Yellowstone, Horizon: An American Saga, or just great historical drama, Hatfields & McCoys is a must-watch.
