Lily Gladstone criticised Taylor Sheridan’s 2018 drama Yellowstone, calling its portrayal of the American West “delusional” and “deplorable”. Her comments matter because they highlight continuing concerns over how Indigenous people and histories are represented in major television productions.

Gladstone said she did not blame the Indigenous performers involved, noting that limited opportunities meant she had auditioned for the programme several times herself. Yellowstone follows the conflicts surrounding a powerful ranching family, developers and a neighbouring Native American reservation; Gladstone made the remarks while discussing the scarcity of Indigenous-centred screen roles.