Aminah Nieves

Aminah Nieves plays Teonna Rainwater in 1923. Before the Yellowstone prequel, her screen work included Blueberry, directed by Stefanie Sparks.

Teonna is introduced at an abusive boarding school, and Nieves has some of the most difficult material in the series. What makes the performance compelling is that the character remains alert to the people around her. We see her assessing them, not simply enduring what is done to her.

Nieves gives anger and fear distinct places in the performance. A look can register both the danger of a moment and Teonna's refusal to accept another person's account of who she should be. That attention makes the scenes harder to dismiss as a general illustration of cruelty.

The story sits apart from much of the ranch business, but it has its own dramatic force. Nieves is a major reason I remain interested when 1923 moves away from the Dutton household.

Read my review of both seasons for more on Teonna and the wider series.