Christina Alexandra Voros has spent the last nine years of her career working in the extended Taylor Sheridan Universe. Starting out as a DP on Yellowstone, Voros quickly became one of Sheridan’s most vital collaborators and directed some of the series’ most memorable episodes. With her uncanny eye and storytelling sensibility, Voros was key to the success of other Sheridan series like 1883 (for which she was nominated for a Primetime Emmy), Lawman: Bass Reeves, and The Madison. “Working in Taylor’s world has made me a braver, more resilient storyteller,” said Voros.

Voros’ latest triumph is her role as an EP and as Director on Dutton Ranch, which explores the next chapter of Beth Dutton’s (Kelly Reilly) and Rip Wheeler’s (Cole Hauser) lives. Burned out of their Montana home by a wildfire, the couple and their adopted son, Carter (Finn Little), move to South Texas to start afresh. “The challenge of taking two characters who are so well loved and extending their story into a new landscape was something that I was very, very excited to be a part of,” said Voros. Luckily, she had great partners in Reilly and Hauser, who also serve as EPs on the series. “They are family to me. I would go anywhere they go,” said Voros. “They were very, very much hands on from the beginning.”

Voros understands why projects within the Sheridan Universe like Dutton Ranch and The Madison would appeal to Oscar-nominated actors like Annette Bening, Ed Harris, and Michelle Pfeiffer. “Great artists are attracted to great writing,” said Voros simply. However, Voros understands that a talent as prolific as Sheridan is in a unique situation because they are given the “resources” required to make these shows as “authentic” as they are. “These are not small shows. These are not small budgets. These are not small schedules,” said Voros. “We are working with the best of everyone in their field to be able to bring these stories to life.”

Voros chatted with Decider over Zoom to discuss her growth as an artist, share what it’s like to work with Reilly and Hauser, and more.

DECIDER: How do you think you’ve grown as a storyteller since working within the extended Sheridan Universe?

CHRISTINA ALEXANDRA VOROS: Working in Taylor’s world has made me a braver, more resilient storyteller. Every season, there are numerous elements in a series of scripts where I scratch my head and think to myself, “I don’t know how we’re going to do this one,” and then we’ve done it. I look back at the last nine years working with Taylor and the challenges that I have been asked to rise to—whether that’s creating a tornado or a fire or 200 horses cascading down a mountain—and realize that I’ve built a very unique skill set . All this new knowledge comes from the wild ride that these scripts always take us on.

What made you eager to continue Beth’s and Rip’s story?

I would walk into a fire for Kelly and Cole. I love them as people. They are family to me. I would go anywhere they go. As a storyteller, the challenge of taking two characters who are so well loved and extending their story into a new landscape was something that I was very, very excited to be a part of.

Stewardship is an important theme within the extended Sheridan Universe. How did you, Kelly, and Cole take on that responsibility as executive producers on this series?

Having been part of the Yellowstone story for so long, Kelly and Cole did an unbelievable job as EPs. It was not a vanity title. They were very, very much hands on from the beginning in terms of making sure the story steered into what fans love so much about their relationship. I felt very lucky to be a part of continuing that saga.

Authenticity was a main focus of mine.That is so important in these shows. Taylor is such a huge advocate of authenticity, extending not only to the way someone rides a horse, but what kind of saddle they have, what sort of dirt would be under their fingernails. Having lived in his universe for as long as I have, I felt very lucky to continue being an advocate for that kind of realness in this new landscape.

You just worked with Michelle Pfeiffer on The Madison, and now you are working with Annette Bening on Dutton Ranch. What draws these Oscar-nominated actresses to these projects?

Just say hearing you say that out loud…I have to pinch myself a bit. I still wake up grateful every single morning that I’ve had the opportunity to work with actors and actresses of this caliber. Great artists are attracted to great writing, and the shows that Taylor has created not only have the DNA of remarkable storytelling, but they are also protected by him and by the studio and the network in terms of the resources we’re given to tell these stories.

These are not small shows. These are not small budgets. These are not small schedules. We are constantly pushing the envelope to make these stories as spectacular and grand as possible. Everyone is at the top of their game. We are working with the best of everyone in their field—whether that’s animals or stunts or special effects or music—to be able to bring these stories to life. It’s really a blessing.