In a rare and brutally honest interview, 1883 star Isabel May opened up about what it was truly like filming the emotionally charged and physically vulnerable love scenes that defined her character, Elsa Dutton. While fans of Taylor Sheridan’s Yellowstone prequel praised the series for its raw authenticity and sweeping romantic tragedy, May’s recent revelations have shed new light on the intense, and at times deeply uncomfortable, process behind the camera. Her candid reflections reveal that those intimate moments—though tastefully shot and integral to Elsa’s character arc—were far from glamorous or effortless. Instead, they represented one of the most challenging experiences of her acting career, demanding not only physical vulnerability but also deep emotional honesty.

“People often assume that shooting love scenes is romantic or exciting,” May confessed during the interview, “but the truth is, it’s the exact opposite. It’s awkward, technical, and emotionally exhausting. You’re surrounded by cameras, crew, and lights. There’s nothing private about it.” She explained that despite the trust she shared with her co-star, each scene required careful choreography and multiple takes to ensure that the emotions—not the physicality—were what came through on screen. For May, who was just beginning to establish herself as a leading actress, those moments represented a profound test of professionalism. “You’re trying to stay true to the story while also maintaining your own boundaries,” she said. “It’s a delicate balance.”

The scenes in question—depicting Elsa’s awakening to both love and heartbreak during her journey westward—were among the most talked-about in the series. Fans were captivated by the tenderness and tragedy that accompanied Elsa’s romance, seeing in it a microcosm of the frontier itself: beautiful, brutal, and fleeting. Yet May’s behind-the-scenes account reveals just how much emotional preparation went into making those moments feel authentic. “Elsa’s love story isn’t just about passion—it’s about innocence meeting experience, about discovering the world’s beauty and cruelty at the same time,” she explained. “To portray that truthfully, I had to go to some very uncomfortable emotional places.”

Working under the direction of Taylor Sheridan added another layer of complexity. Sheridan, known for his commitment to realism, often pushes his actors to embrace emotional rawness. “Taylor never wants anything to feel fake,” May said. “If a scene doesn’t feel real, he’ll stop and tell you. But that kind of honesty is what makes his work special. He’s not trying to embarrass anyone—he’s trying to capture truth.” Even so, May admitted that the intensity of his directing style sometimes left her feeling exposed. “He gives you freedom, but that also means you have to be fearless. You can’t hide behind technique or vanity.”

Behind the scenes, the production went to great lengths to ensure that May felt safe and respected. She praised both Sheridan and the crew for their professionalism, noting that every intimate scene was approached with sensitivity. “We had discussions beforehand about what I was comfortable with,” she said. “There were intimacy coordinators and closed sets. It was all very controlled. But even with those precautions, it’s still nerve-wracking. You can’t escape that vulnerability—it’s part of the job.”

Despite the discomfort, May described the experience as transformative, both personally and artistically. Through Elsa’s journey, she discovered new depths of empathy and courage within herself. “Elsa taught me a lot about being brave,” she reflected. “She’s open-hearted, fearless, and curious about life, even when it hurts. Playing her forced me to confront my own fears about exposure—emotional and physical. It made me stronger.”

Her portrayal of Elsa Dutton remains one of the standout performances in the Yellowstone universe—a blend of youthful innocence and hard-won wisdom that captivated audiences worldwide. May’s willingness to embrace the uncomfortable truth of her character’s growth, rather than shy away from it, gave Elsa’s story its haunting authenticity. “Elsa was never meant to be a perfect heroine,” she explained. “She was meant to be real. Her love story isn’t idealized—it’s messy and painful, but also beautiful in its impermanence. That’s what made it so meaningful to me.”

May also emphasized how different the on-screen product feels compared to the actual filming process. “When you’re watching it, it looks emotional and intimate,” she said. “But when you’re shooting, it’s mechanical. You’re thinking about camera angles, lighting, timing. You’re not lost in the moment—you’re building it piece by piece.” She laughed as she recalled how unromantic some of those moments were in reality. “You might be lying in the dirt, freezing cold, trying to look like you’re in love while someone is shouting, ‘Hold still, we’re adjusting the light!’ It’s surreal.”

Even so, May said that the uncomfortable reality behind the scenes ultimately deepened her respect for the craft of acting. “It made me realize how powerful vulnerability can be,” she said. “When you’re honest, even in uncomfortable situations, the audience feels that. They don’t see the awkwardness—they see the truth.” That truth, she believes, is what has made 1883 resonate so strongly with viewers. “People connected with Elsa because she feels alive. She’s not a fantasy. She’s every emotion—love, fear, wonder, pain—all colliding at once.”

May’s reflections also serve as a broader commentary on the industry’s evolving approach to intimacy on screen. With the introduction of intimacy coordinators and clearer boundaries for actors, Hollywood has taken significant steps toward creating safer working environments. “It’s important that we can talk about these things openly now,” she said. “There’s no shame in saying something made you uncomfortable. What matters is that you can express that and be heard.”

When asked whether she would approach such scenes differently now, May paused thoughtfully before answering. “I think I’d still feel uncomfortable—but that’s okay,” she admitted. “Discomfort isn’t always bad. It means you care. It means you’re present. Acting isn’t about being comfortable—it’s about being truthful.”

Her honesty has earned widespread praise from fans and fellow actors alike, who have applauded her for shedding light on a subject often glamorized or misunderstood. As 1883 continues to be celebrated as one of Sheridan’s most emotionally potent creations, May’s revelations remind viewers that behind every breathtaking performance lies a complex human process—one built on trust, courage, and the willingness to feel deeply, even when it hurts.

In the end, Isabel May’s confession doesn’t diminish the beauty of Elsa’s story; it enhances it. Knowing the vulnerability it took to bring those scenes to life adds a new layer of appreciation for the artistry involved. Her portrayal of Elsa—a woman standing at the intersection of innocence and experience—remains one of television’s most unforgettable journeys. And though May admits the process was at times deeply uncomfortable, she wouldn’t change it. “Every difficult moment was worth it,” she said. “Because through Elsa, I learned that discomfort can be the doorway to truth—and that’s where the real magic happens.”