‘Yellowstone’ Star Kevin Costner Uncovers the Myths of the American West
From Dances with Wolves to Yellowstone, Kevin Costner has spent much of his career immersed in the stories of the American West. Now, he’s bringing that passion to the History Channel with a new docuseries titled The West.
Premiering on May 26 with its first three episodes, the eight-part series explores the expansion of the United States from the original thirteen colonies to the vast landscape it occupies today. The series traces the journey of settlers of European descent as they moved westward after the Revolutionary War—starting in Kentucky and the Great Lakes region, pushing through to Texas and Kansas, and eventually reaching California and the rest of the western frontier.
One of the series’ strengths lies in its acknowledgment of the land’s original inhabitants. The West thoughtfully explores the lives and societies of Native American peoples who had lived on these lands for thousands of years. The show examines the often-violent clash between Indigenous communities and settlers, highlighting the complexities and consequences of expansion.
As the series unfolds, it also delves into the growing tensions over slavery, spotlighting the struggle between free and slave states as new territories joined the Union—foreshadowing the coming of the Civil War.
Beyond well-known figures, The West brings lesser-known historical characters into the spotlight. It introduces viewers to pioneers like John Colter, often cited as the first “mountain man,” and Joaquin Murrieta, a Mexican outlaw whose life story helped inspire the legend of Zorro.
Costner serves not only as an executive producer but also as the series’ host and narrator. Speaking about the project, he reflects on the raw reality of frontier life:
“When we think about the West, if we think about it honestly, we say it was a dangerous place. You had to be really resourceful. I know guys that really want to see the truth—how raw it was, how real it was. Am I that tough?” Costner says. “They went in groups, and they sometimes perished as groups. Their humanity was alive. And their worst tendencies came out, and their best tendencies came out.”
The West offers a powerful, unfiltered look at a formative chapter in American history—through the eyes of one of Hollywood’s most enduring storytellers.
