For audiences of 1883, the 2021 Western-prequel to Yellowstone, much of the drama revolves around the Dutton family’s harrowing journey across the frontier. But behind the sweeping vistas, horse-rides and survival struggles, the show’s young star, Isabel May—who plays Elsa Dutton—revealed that filming many of those raw, emotionally charged scenes proved far more than “simply another day on set.” In interviews she has discussed how the physical demands, the emotional stakes and the weight of portraying intense relationships combined into moments that were deeply uncomfortable but, she insists, essential to delivering authenticity. Such candour offers a fascinating window into how the show’s ambition to portray frontier life in brutal honesty extended to the actors themselves.

May has spoken candidly about how some of the intimate or emotionally exposed scenes—whether it be the aftermath of loss, the grief of survival, or even the dynamics of young love in a violent world—pushed her beyond her comfort zone. She described moments in which the comfort of acting dissolved, replaced by fatigue, emotional vulnerability and sometimes the sense of having to carry a burden that her character bore. In one particularly notable scene, co-star Tim McGraw (who plays her father James) said that May asked him a question just before filming that “tore me apart,” in his words: he recalled how during a final take, May looked up at him and said, “What’s the thing you love most about your daughters?”—and then, cut. McGraw later revealed he couldn’t hold back tears. That the question came from his on-screen daughter only amplified the emotional weight. The scene was meant to signal Elsa’s impending death, yet even with the actors aware of the narrative arc, the moment became intensely real. Showbiz Cheat Sheet+1

In another interview with Newsweek, May admitted, “This was not an easy experience at all … it was extremely physically and emotionally taxing for everyone.” Newsweek She described filming in harsh conditions—freezing streams, scorching heat, grueling days—with no escape from the physical demands of the frontier world the characters inhabit. The environment of the show became more than a setting; it almost became another character, shaping how the actors performed. May explained how the discomfort of real dirt, sweat, exhaustion, and emotional rawness helped ground the performance. In some respects, the discomfort was a tool—an embodiment of what Elsa and her travelling companions were really experiencing.

But why does May frame these scenes as “uncomfortable” rather than simply “challenging”? The difference lies in the nature of the vulnerability. In front of the camera she was required not just to embody courage and resilience but to expose wounds—emotional wounds, familial regrets, and hard truths about survival in a violent world. The scene where Elsa mourns the death of her first love, Ennis, was described by May as one of the hardest on set: she said she “liked stuff like that” in the sense that it was cathartic to dive into fear and grief, yet it was also raw and unsettling to actually live it in performance. Entertainment Tonight+1

The production circumstances contributed significantly to this unease. Filming outdoors in rugged terrain, often in extreme weather, meant many actors lost the usual comforts of a set – regular showers, temperature controls, or simple creature comforts. May’s co-star Sam Elliott later said that May “suffered more than any of us … because of the way she was dressed” and the physical exposure her young character endured. Looper Those remarks underscore that for May, the uncomfortable didn’t just refer to emotional exposure but also to the literal conditions of the shoot. A young actor tackling scenes of grief, love, fear, and ultimately death, while dealing with cold water, heat, humidity, dirt and isolation—was very much outside the typical “acting in front of lights” environment.

This dual layer of discomfort—internal (emotional) and external (physical)—is what May emphasises when reflecting on filming those scenes. She points out that many young actors might balk at such conditions, but she embraced them because they served the story: the Duttons’ journey was meant to feel real, harsh and unrelenting. For Elsa especially, the transformation from naïve daughter to someone who experiences profound loss demanded the actor herself undergo a transformation of sorts. The discomfort of the journey mirrored the narrative journey. In her words, it felt “so authentic … so real … I don’t think many of us, when it came to weather conditions, were acting.” Looper

Critically, May clarifies that uncomfortable doesn’t mean regretful. On the contrary, she looks back on the role of Elsa as potentially the greatest role she may ever have the opportunity to play: “I still don’t know how to take it.” Nicki Swift The discomfort, she suggests, was part of what made it meaningful. She didn’t want to act as if she were comfortable and glamorous; she wanted to be immersed in the world of the characters. The physical exhaustion, the emotional exposure, the sense of being vulnerable—all that contributed to an authentic performance. It’s a testament to how the production sought to challenge both its characters and its actors.

Fans and commentators have echoed this – with many noting how the visual and emotional tone of the series felt different from most TV Westerns. May’s Elsa was not merely a supporting figure; she narrated portions of the show, carried some of the emotional weight, and her eventual fate caught many viewers off guard. The feedback suggests that the performance resonated because the vulnerability felt real—not manufactured. Indeed, one Reddit comment said, “The show wrecked me… I bawl every time — this entire series is still with me.” Reddit That level of impact stems, in part, from the actors’ willingness to be disrupted by discomfort.

For future seasons—if the narrative expands or returns to the Dutton origins—May’s reflections hint at how the show might continue to demand of its actors. The frontier is not forgiving, and neither is the storytelling. The rawness isn’t an accident but a deliberate choice. Readers and viewers may not always enjoy the moments of discomfort (after all, we often watch for inspiration, heroism and resolution) but it’s precisely those uncomfortable moments that carry the emotional weight. May’s honesty about her experience gives behind-the-scenes credit to a show that refuses to allow its characters (or its actors) an easy ride.

In summary: yes—Isabel May confirms that filming certain scenes on 1883 was uncomfortable. But more importantly, she frames that discomfort as intentional and necessary. It enabled both the actor and the character to live through the story rather than simply reenact it. Her willingness to endure physical and emotional hardship underscores the seriousness with which the production treats its narrative. For viewers, it means the scenes we found wrenching, raw and unforgettable were not just the result of strong writing and cinematography—but also of an actor willing to step into the uncomfortable fully.