Sitting down with Wonderland, the rising star discusses her creative upbringing, and the significant role she plays in Taylor Sheridan’s prequel to Yellowstone, 1923.
Taylor Sheridan’s Yellowstone world is certainly not for the faint hearted. It’s the sort of show that has you chronically hooked from day one, as you watch with squinted eyes. A story that has you going down a rabbit hole at 3am whilst you discover the extensive Dutton family tree, and its complicated, intertwining plots. Premiering in 2018, the Paramount+ TV series follows the fictional family, owners of the Yellowstone ranch in Northern America, whose family has been around since the 1800s. Journeying their efforts to protect the Dutton legacy, the series saw five successful seasons, and like all hit TV shows, what would they be without a good ol’ prequel? So Sheridan did just that, taking the Yellowstone world back in time, introducing a new generation of Duttons for its spin-off prequels: 1883 and 1923.
1923 reached new heights of viewership as Season 2 of the prequel premiered this February, shattering Paramount+ records to become its biggest original premiere, with 5.4 million viewers. Taking a darker turn, this instalment delves into the grim legacy of Catholic boarding schools in North America—how they dehumanised young Indigenous women and stripped them of their identities. At the heart of this heart wrenching story is Aminah Nieves, who delivers a powerful performance as the courageous Teonna. Amidst a star-studded cast—led by Helen Mirren and Harrison Ford as the Dutton protagonists of this spin-off—Teonna stands as a beacon of resilience. And Nieves? A name to watch as she makes waves in the industry.
Sitting down with Wonderland, Aminah Nieves talks dream roles, Teonna’s journey, and her acting origins. Keep reading…
Hi Aminah, thanks for taking the time to chat with us! How are you today? What’s been keeping you busy lately?
Cualliiii! (Hi) It’s a gorgeous warm sunny day, got my yummy cup of tea to sip on, cannot complain. Mmmm so much has been keeping me busy. I just signed a lease on a home (yay!), so I’m sure that will be keeping me moving n grooving aha.. but other than that I’ve just been making medicine for loved ones and community members in need, playing with the babies, soaking up as much family time as possible because with this line of work – you never know when you’re going to be on to the next job.
Before we dive into your latest project, take us back to the beginning. Did you always know acting was your calling?
You know what’s funny? Since I was a kid, my parents would have us look up at the sky and wish on the stars. I had the same exact wish for years and years, and it was to be on stage.. to be a performer. Fast forward to my senior year of high school, and I honestly thought I was going to pursue music professionally. I started to really focus on what it would look like to create scores for film, be a singer songwriter, or travel in symphonies. In high school, I had the opportunity to get a taste at what theatre did to my soul, and at the last minute flipped the script on everyone and decided to move to NY to attend an acting conservatory. So in a way, yes? and also no.
Who were some of your earliest influences in the industry? Anyone who particularly inspired you?
My dad, he’s an OG graffiti writer and muralist. I had a very specific introduction to art, because before I was even born, I chose to come into this world and be raised by revolutionists, by rebellions, by artists who were unapologetic.. ones that I believe are the truest definition of what an artist is. I was completely submerged in all types of creation, and it was LOUD in the best possible way. My inspirations are the elders I was raised by, and ultimately the land that held me when no one else knew how to. I believe there are many great actors, icons, ones I do love and ones who pave the way for young ones like myself to take up space.. but I’d also be lying to myself and to you If I didn’t say my community was my earliest influences because they were, and still are.
Huge congratulations on season 2 of 1923! How did this opportunity come about? When did you first hear about the series, and what was your audition process like?
Eeee hahom (thank you) so much! It’s honestly so wild to think about, I had recently signed with my first rep ever (Jonathan Yue) and we just hit the ground running. We were still figuring one another out, and seeing what worked and what didn’t, but man we were really building such a beautiful foundation for something big to blossom. He sent over the breakdown and we both were hesitant at first. We waited to the very last second to tape and when we did, everything moved like the wind. I was auditioning for a month and a half I believe, and on the third tape they called me to go to Jackson Hole Wyoming for a chemistry test. I showed up and befriended Michelle Randolph (who plays Liz on the show) and Audrey McGraw immediately, we didn’t leave each other’s side. I distinctly remember not seeing any other potential Teonnas and said to Michelle “What if I’m the only Teonna here?” (jokingly) and she looked at me and laughed “don’t we all wish that was the case”. Fast forward to the next day and there were about 15 potential Teonnas testing… and I was fucking terrified.
Do you remember your first reaction to the script? What was it about Teonna that immediately drew you in?
Absolutely. I remember being shocked at how honest the depiction of what actually happened here on turtle island was. I also want to take a moment to remember and include Native Hawaiians, Tainos (Natives of Puerto Rico), and Mexican Natives in the conversation too because this expanded across turtle island not just within the borders. I was absolutely terrified, because telling this deep truth on such an incredible platform like Paramount+ is such a massive deal for Indian Country, and I didn’t want to get it wrong. I felt so much of her within my body once I actually got the courage to tape. Now that I sit here, I honestly believe that I was also scared to face my own inner traumas, and uproot everything that would naturally stir within me during the process. There was a lot of fear, and for good reason. This time was different, I wasn’t just creating a character, I was offering my body up to the land and letting her and the people use it as a vessel to heal. Teonna is every woman I’ve ever loved, and that’s what drew me in. I see her in my family, in my friends, she is fighting for something deeper than herself, for liberation of all beings.. and to still wish ultimate freedom to the ones taking yours is such a beautiful teaching we can all learn from.
What was the biggest challenge of working on this project?
Season Twos biggest challenge was honestly coming back to work without my brother Coco Cole Bringsplenty who originally played Pete PlentyClouds in Season 1. My heart sank when I heard he would be recast, I was angry, but once I finally knew who would end up honouring him, everything lifted. Jeremy Gauna and I had a month to build a relationship to honour our brother, and give the best possible performance that we could. As time progressed I had the opportunity to witness how fire hearted Jeremy was, he gave me peace in continuing on to do something that I ultimately was checked out of. And in those moments I knew Coco gave his blessings, hearing my brother in the wind every day, seeing him through the trees, and quite literally everywhere we went gave all of us (Michael, Mo, Jeremy, and I) the opportunity to move in deep love and have fun. MMIP isn’t just a hashtag, it’s a reality of what is truly being swept under the rug within Indian Country, and also within BIPOC communities across turtle island.
You share screen time with some of the industry’s biggest names—what was that experience like? Any standout memories from set? And were there any lessons from your castmates that you’ll carry with you?
I will never forget the masterclass I’ve had the opportunity to attend for the last couple of years. Every single moment was a standout one, I was being gifted sweet lil wisdom love letters every single day. I would show up to set even on my off days, and actually had the opportunity to shadow our Director Ben Richardson a bit in season two. I think in season two, Sebastian, Jeremy, Michael, and I really had a great go with Diane, Bobby, and the rest of the wranglers on set. We are on horseback the entire season, so the ranch and wranglers became our home.. I almost got bucked off a horse while training and my god the freedom of stillness in pure chaos was kind of exhilarating ahahha. I feel like every moment with these beautiful beings are so sacred to me, that I don’t really want to share the tender bits. What I will say is this- our cast is full of some of the most humble joy filled beings in the industry. Everyone dropped their ego off at the door and showed up to work, while also having a deep desire to cultivate valuable long lasting relationships which is why this show works so well.
How do you see Teonna’s evolution from season 1 to season 2? And does her growth reflect your own journey in any way?
I think you get to see an obvious shift from Teonna in season 2, you see her soften in such a pure honest way. Her evolution is simple, it’s not something you have to study, it’s primal- ts the innate dance of remembrance. She is remembering what it is to be a daughter, a budding teenager, a friend, an Apsaalooke woman, and ultimately a revolutionist. Teonna has directly impacted me in the way my voice and boundaries are held, she has given me a specific confidence that I am forever grateful for. We hear these stories growing up, and they impact and inform the way we think, live, and ultimately how we show up in the world- but having the opportunity to fully embody it the way I had to for the show changed me forever. The things I seen, heard, and felt on set and in moments alone will always stick with me. Teonna reminded me what it means to be a woman of fire, what it means to be an Indigenous woman.
Looking ahead, what excites you most about the future? Are there any dream roles you’re itching to play?
Everything excites me. Hell, I’m excited about my dinner I’ll be eating later tonight aha. I think the world has seen this very specific side of me, but doesn’t realise how much of a doughnut I am. I would love to give a lil kissss at comedy, some more stunt heavy roles as well. I love a good drama, let’s be realllll. I think my art is a way to move through my own pain, and the good bits too. I want to continue to explore different worlds that make people’s minds bend. There’s so many avenues and bits of myself I desire to explore, It’d be a pity to put myself in a box. I believe acting gives us the opportunity to access these bits of ourself that we normally wouldn’t if we didn’t do this work. So throw everything at me! I’m ready to surprise people, and myself.
Words – Freya Goodchild-Bridge
Photography – Jonny Marlow / @jonnymarlow
Styling – Amanda Lim / @itsamandalim
Hair – Kat Thompson / @kattthompson
Makeup – Pircilla Pae / @pircillapae
