In an interview with People, Eric Nelsen admitted that getting into character for "1883" taught him how little he knew about being a cowboy. Despite growing up around horses as a child, he still had a lot to learn about the culture depicted on the "Yellowstone" spin-off.
"I had never ridden at the capacity and the intensity that I have on this show," he told the outlet. "So I think it brought my level of cowboy from five to about a 20."
He explained that the "1883" cast went to Cowboy Camp, where they were taught all about what it means to become a cowboy. This includes the skill of roping, which Nelsen said was "exciting" and something he'd always been interested in.
"Even still, I thought I had skills and I got there and [1883 creator Taylor Sheridan] told me what I didn't have," he said. "There was still so much to learn. So I kind of just kept to myself and just learned from the best." As for the payoff of that effort on the quality of the show, Nelsen added that "it is a rollercoaster of a journey but what you can expect is the most raw, gripping presentation of a Western of that time."
"1883" will begin streaming on December 19 on Paramount+.
