Taylor Sheridan continues to expand his television empire with remarkable consistency, and his Yellowstone prequel 1923 has now earned the distinction of being his highest-rated series according to critics. The show currently holds a 94% score on Rotten Tomatoes, surpassing the critical reception of Yellowstone, Landman, and his other projects.

Critical acclaim vs. audience reaction

While Sheridan’s work often divides opinion between critics and general viewers, 1923 has enjoyed unusually strong and sustained praise from reviewers. The 94% Tomatometer reflects admiration for the series’ cinematic ambition, emotional depth, and the commanding performances of its two leads, Helen Mirren and Harrison Ford.

Audience scores, by contrast, sit at a more modest 55%. This gap is not uncommon for Sheridan’s dramas, which tend to polarise viewers with their deliberate pacing, heavy themes, and unflinching portrayal of violence and hardship. Nevertheless, critics have remained largely united in their approval across both seasons. Season 2, released earlier this year, achieved a perfect 100% critics score, further cementing the show’s reputation among professional reviewers.

Story and setting

1923 explores an earlier generation of the Dutton family as they confront the brutal realities of life in the American West during the early 20th century. The narrative weaves together personal struggles and larger historical forces, including drought, economic depression, Prohibition, wildlife threats, and the shifting balance of power on the frontier.

Sheridan’s trademark blend of sweeping Western landscapes, intimate character drama, and moral complexity is on full display. Reviewers have repeatedly highlighted the series’ visual grandeur and the weight carried by Mirren and Ford, whose performances anchor the story with gravitas and emotional authenticity.

Record-breaking premiere

Beyond critical success, 1923 was also a commercial triumph for Paramount+. Its December 2022 premiere attracted 7.4 million viewers across the streaming service and linear television, making it Paramount+’s biggest U.S. debut at the time. The figure represented an almost 80% increase on the platform’s previous record and established 1923 as the largest new cable series premiere of 2022.

Place in Sheridan’s universe

While the original Yellowstone remains Sheridan’s biggest cultural phenomenon in terms of raw audience numbers and pop-culture impact, 1923 has achieved something rarer in his catalogue: consistent, high-level critical endorsement. In a television landscape where prestige and popularity often diverge, the prequel has managed to earn both strong reviews and substantial viewership.

As Sheridan’s output continues to grow, 1923 stands as the clearest example of his work winning over critics without sacrificing the epic scope and emotional intensity that define his storytelling. The 94% score, reinforced by Season 2’s perfect critical run, confirms its status as the peak of his television career so far in the eyes of professional reviewers.