The prequel series to Paramount’s Yellowstone series just got a lot bigger, as one of the biggest Hollywood stars Tom Hanks joins the cast. Hanks will be introduced in the second episode of the series and he will star as a guest star in the role of General George Mead.

1883’s second episode will feature Hanks’ General Mead looking down at James Dutton (who will be played by Tom McGraw in the series) after the bloody Battle of Antietam in the Civil War. While James Dutton is suffering from a concussion, the gloved hand of General Mead falls on his shoulder. The Civil War battle cost over 22,700 soldiers’ lives marking it as one of the bloodiest days in American history. While Hanks casting is very surprising, the creator of the series, Taylor Sheridan told Deadline that there will be several more “surprise” guest stars, who will be introduced in the first season of the Paramount+ series.

Sheridan is an actor turned creator, who is receiving lots of praise for his series Yellowstone, which has become one of the flagship series on Paramount+. Sheridan is also creating another series titled Kansas City, which will star Sylvester Stallone in the lead role.

1883 will tell the story of the Dutton family and how they ended up owning the largest ranch in America. The story of the series is supposed to be thrilling with a lot of risky moves, which brought the once poor Dutton family immense wealth. 1883 also stars Billy Bob Thornton, Sam Elliot, Faith Hill, Isabel May, and Lamonica Garrett.

1883 is all set to release on Paramount+ on December 19.