‘Yellowstone’ Star Gil Birmingham Says John Dutton Becoming Governor “Disassembles” Thomas Rainwater’s Plans

Broken Rock Chairman Thomas Rainwater (Gil Birmingham) was dealt a major blow in the Yellowstone Season 5 premiere when John Dutton was elected the Governor of Montana. Dutton’s first act as Governor was to cancel state funding for Market Equities’ Paradise Valley airport project and the surrounding commercial and domestic developments, projects that would have financially benefited Rainwater and the Broken Rock reservation. Rainwater’s quest to reclaim the tribal lands settled by James Dutton (Tim McGraw), as seen in Paramount+’s 1883, seems to be stalled at the moment.

In Season 5, Rainwater will have to reconcile the disparate mindsets of his two advisors: Angela Blue Thunder (Q’orianka Kilcher), an attorney/consultant who urges Rainwater to adopt a scorched earth policy as the means of retrieving their rightful tribal lands (in other words, anything goes); and Mo Brings Plenty (Mo Brings Plenty), who counsels Rainwater to remain steadfast and honorable in his actions in the tradition of their ancestors . Will Rainwater find himself leaning more towards one approach over the other this season? We’ll have to watch and find out!

Before the Season 5 premiere, Decider got the chance to talk to Gil Birmingham about the ways that Rainwater’s plans are foiled by John Dutton becoming Governor and whether a prophecy that was delivered in 1883 will come into play this season.

DECIDER: In the series premiere, Thomas Rainwater wonders if John Dutton’s becoming the Governor of Montana will be a good or bad thing for the Broken Rock reservation. What do you think?

GIL BIRMINGHAM: I think initially it is not such a great thing because Dutton calls a halt to development projects that Rainwater was counting on to create more jobs for his people and more income for the tribe in general. Rainwater planned to use the income generated by the casino and related Market Equities projects to generate the revenue he needs to purchase his people’s lands sooner rather than later. John Dutton as Governor destroys Rainwater’s development plans as they were structured originally.

Q’orianka Kilcher’s Angela Blue Thunder is back in the fold this season. At John’s inauguration, she refers to her stunning Season 3 finale monologue and reminds Thomas: “You had a chance to be rid of him. You did nothing, and he grew stronger. It’s slave laws for you now, and it’s all your fault.” Is Thomas taking those words more to heart the second time around?

I think Thomas understands exactly where she’s coming from. The old-school Native way of thinking did not advocate violence, but Angela has no problem with violence. She’s very edgy in terms of her aggressiveness. In Rainwater’s opinion, violence is never going to lead to a good place, so it is a tricky thing for him to ask for her assistance.

In the past, you’ve contrasted Angela’s “win at all costs” approach to Mo’s focus on honor and integrity. Will Thomas attempt to balance the two opposing mindsets or will he begin to lean one way or the other in Season 5?

Angela’s approach makes sense to a certain degree because, throughout history, oppressed people’s being passive when trying to bring about change means that change takes forever. Given that Indigenous People still deal with erasure and inequities to this day, her desire to stir things up is tempting. She plants little seeds here and there, and that’s why it is so important for Mo to serve as a great cultural anchor for Thomas, a reminder that he’s got to hold fast to the values that the Native community cherishes.

In 1883, Graham Greene’s Spotted Eagle tempers the gift of Paradise Valley to the Duttons with a prophecy: “In 7 generations, my people will rise up and take it back from you.” Will Spotted Eagle’s prophecy factor into this season of Yellowstone?

Oh, it’s almost biblical, isn’t it? I think the Duttons and Rainwater are conscious of commemorating the Duttons’ journey and that gift. They both think about what they’re going to provide for future generations. The consistent through line for Indigenous peoples is to leave their land in the same condition, if not better, for the next seven generations. The timeline may vary a little bit, but we’ll have to tune in and see.