Yellowstone has become an epic, of sorts, for the modern world of television that brought back Westerns in style. The series helped reform the outdated genre by placing it in a politically charged society of corrupt bureaucrats, crooked law enforcement officials, and evil businessmen who care about nothing other than profit.
Taylor Sheridan’s revolutionary series transformed the television landscape into a classically perfect one that allows for epic storytelling even within the format of hour-long episodes. It is natural, then, to want to be a part of its history-making endeavor, which, to the chagrin of one cast member, proved to be quite difficult.
Yellowstone gives us a memorable bunkhouse arc
One of the more famous aspects of the Yellowstone narrative is its bunkhouse arc. The ranchers on the Yellowstone Dutton Ranch gather at the bunkhouse after a day of dramatic hassles and eventful takedowns to blow off steam, play some cards, and collectively have some fun at the expense of one poor victim.
For the audience, the bunkhouse arc stands out from the rest of the series for its refreshing storyline that allows the viewers a break from Beth’s constant neurotic breakdowns or the cutthroat political rivalry between John and Jaime Dutton, and of course, the technicalities of the business aspect of Yellowstone.
A core member of this memorable bunkhouse cast is Jen Landon who has left an impression as the quirky, no-nonsense, foul-mouthed character, Teeter. However, finding the right person for the role was a task in and of itself as every girl working or aspiring in Hollywood auditioned for the role. Among them, Landon stood out, not because of her innate ability to channel Teeter but for one embarrassing incident that grabbed the casting associate’s eye.
Yellowstone star recalls blowing up her audition
Despite the incredible competition that flooded the audition room during the casting of Teeter’s character, Jennifer Landon managed to land the role, and rightfully so, given her perfectly executed arc throughout the series. However, as perfect as Landon may have been as Teeter, the actor almost never got the part because of one fumble during her audition process.
During an interview with Red Rock Ranch Spotlights, Landon recalls an incident that happened with the casting associate that became quite memorable down the line:
They called me in. I didn’t think I was gonna get it, at all. And I thought I tanked the audition. I did not apparently, but I thought I tanked it so hard that I kept having the casting associate read the scene again… I was so mad that I sort of checked out of my body, and on the way out, I somehow was back home with my family and I said, ‘Goodbye, I love you, too,’ and I walked out.
The incident was so humiliating for Landon that she immediately called her manager after the audition and went on a self-deprecating rant, saying:
I’m quitting. I told the casting associate I loved her. I gotta become like a hooker or a writer after this, man. No more acting.
Fortunately for Landon, who is a self-proclaimed Teeter in real life as well, the audition was good enough for her to land the role. And she followed through with her part by brilliantly playing the ranchhand for five incredible seasons. The finale left an open-ended arc for her character, alongside co-star Jefferson White’s Jimmy, as they leave Yellowstone for a new life in Texas.
As of now, there exist rumors on the grapevine that both of these characters might reemerge in Taylor Sheridan‘s upcoming series, 6666, based on the famous Four Sixes ranch in Texas that is owned by Sheridan himself.