Taylor Sheridan’s Yellowstone franchise has become a sprawling modern epic—an American saga that continues to grow beyond its original series on the Paramount Network. What began as a gritty neo-Western focused on the Dutton family’s fight to protect their land has evolved into one of the most ambitious interconnected TV universes of the decade. With high-stakes drama, sweeping landscapes, and moral complexity, the Yellowstone brand has captured viewers across generations—and Sheridan is far from done.
As the flagship Yellowstone series nears its end, the universe is growing in multiple directions. With prequels that explore the origins of the Dutton dynasty and spin-offs that branch into new families and modern challenges, Sheridan is assembling what might be described as the Western version of the Star Wars or Marvel cinematic universes.
Here’s a full rundown of all the Yellowstone spin-offs—released, in production, or in development—and what we know so far.
✅ Released Spin-Offs
1883 (2021–2022)
- Overview: A rugged origin story that follows James and Margaret Dutton (played by Tim McGraw and Faith Hill) as they travel from Texas to Montana, laying the foundation for the Yellowstone Ranch.
- Why It Mattered: The miniseries was a critical success, praised for its cinematic scale and historical grit. Sam Elliott won a Screen Actors Guild Award for his role as Shea Brennan.
1923 (2022–2025)
- Overview: Set 40 years after 1883, this prequel starred Harrison Ford and Helen Mirren as Jacob and Cara Dutton, tackling Prohibition, the Great Depression, and Western expansion.
- Final Season Aired: April 2025 marked the end of the second and final season.
- Impact: Widely acclaimed for its performances and production value, 1923 deepened the Dutton legacy and set up future generational narratives.
🎬 In Production
The Madison (Expected 2025)
- Starring: Michelle Pfeiffer, Matthew Fox, Patrick J. Adams
- Premise: Following a family tragedy, Manhattan matriarch Stacy Clyburn (Pfeiffer) relocates her family to Montana’s Madison River Valley, confronting grief and a rugged new world.
- Connection to Yellowstone: Though not focused on the Duttons, this series exists in the same universe, potentially introducing new rival ranchers or political power players.
- Filming Locations: Montana, New York, and Texas.
🛠️ In Development / Announced
1944
- Status: Prequel series in early development.
- Timeline: Takes place after 1923 during WWII, potentially focusing on John Dutton II in his early adult years.
- What to Expect: Likely to explore the wartime strain on the ranch, generational shifts, and national identity during America’s turning point.
Untitled Beth Dutton & Rip Wheeler Series
- Starring: Kelly Reilly and Cole Hauser
- Premise: A continuation of the fan-favorite power couple after Yellowstone ends. It may follow them as they break away to start a new chapter—possibly a ranch of their own.
- Start of Production: Tentatively scheduled for Summer 2025.
Untitled Kayce Dutton Series
- Starring: Luke Grimes
- Premise: CBS is reportedly eyeing a procedural format focused on Kayce Dutton’s past or present work as a Navy SEAL or U.S. Marshal. Could blend Western storytelling with military/crime drama elements.
- Network: Potentially a CBS prime-time drama, giving it a wider audience beyond streaming.
6666 (Four Sixes)
- Setting: Four Sixes Ranch in West Texas, first introduced in Yellowstone Season 4.
- Premise: A present-day look at one of the largest and most legendary working ranches in the country, where the rules of ranching haven’t changed for generations.
- Status: Initially announced in 2021, but its release has faced delays. Some reports suggest it’s on hold, while others say it’s being retooled for broader appeal.
🧭 What’s Next for the Yellowstone Universe?
With Yellowstone itself concluding in late 2025 and Kevin Costner stepping away from the franchise, Paramount is doubling down on the extended universe model. Sheridan’s deal with Paramount ensures creative control over this growing saga—and he shows no signs of slowing down.
More spin-offs may be on the horizon, potentially involving new bloodlines, rival ranches, or even an urban-political twist as modern ranching collides with global commerce, climate pressures, and evolving cultural dynamics.
Key Takeaways
- The Yellowstone universe has expanded from one show to multiple spinoffs including 1883, 1923, and upcoming series 1944 and The Madison.
- Taylor Sheridan’s creation continues to attract major Hollywood talent with Michelle Pfeiffer joining the franchise in The Madison, scheduled for 2025.
- Each spinoff explores different time periods of the Dutton family saga while maintaining the distinctive storytelling style that made the original series popular.
Origins and Expansion of the Yellowstone Universe
Taylor Sheridan’s vision is clearly to craft a vast, interconnected world where each spin-off explores different corners of America’s past and present. From frontier struggles in 1883 to wartime family drama in 1944, and character-focused continuations like the Beth & Rip series, the Yellowstone universe is becoming TV’s most ambitious Western anthology—past, present, and future. Keep your boots on—there’s more to come.
The hit neo-Western drama Yellowstone has grown from a single show into an expansive television universe. This growth stems from creator Taylor Sheridan’s vision and the massive popularity of the original series, which has led to multiple timeline-spanning spinoffs.
Development of the Original Series
Yellowstone debuted on Paramount Network in June 2018, created by Taylor Sheridan and John Linson. The series stars Kevin Costner as John Dutton, the powerful patriarch of a wealthy ranching family in Montana.
Sheridan, a former actor turned writer-director, brought authentic Western sensibilities to the show. His experiences growing up on a ranch informed the series’ portrayal of modern ranching conflicts and family dynamics.
The show wasn’t an immediate ratings hit but gained momentum through word-of-mouth. By its third season, Yellowstone had become cable television’s most-watched show, cementing its place in popular culture and proving audiences were hungry for contemporary Western storytelling.
Announcing the Spinoffs
Following Yellowstone’s success, Paramount announced an ambitious expansion of the universe. The first spinoff, 1883, premiered in December 2021, starring Tim McGraw and Faith Hill as Dutton ancestors making the dangerous journey west.
The prequel 1923 followed, featuring Hollywood stars Harrison Ford and Helen Mirren as an earlier generation of Duttons facing Prohibition and the Great Depression. Both shows maintained Sheridan’s signature style while exploring different historical eras.
Additional announced spinoffs include 6666 (set at the legendary Four Sixes Ranch in Texas) and The Madison, starring Michelle Pfeiffer. This expansion strategy has transformed Yellowstone from a single show into a multi-series franchise spanning different time periods, maintaining the original’s themes of family, land conflicts, and the evolving American West.
Timelines and Connections Between Spinoffs
The Yellowstone universe spans multiple generations of the Dutton family, with each series exploring different time periods and connecting characters across decades of Montana history.
Understanding the Chronological Order
The Yellowstone saga begins chronologically with 1883, which follows the original Dutton pioneers as they journey across the Great Plains to establish what would eventually become the Yellowstone Ranch in Montana. This founding story sets up the family’s deep connection to the land.
Next in the timeline comes 1923, taking place 40 years later during the Prohibition era and the Great Depression. Here we meet Jacob and Cara Dutton who face drought, lawlessness, and economic hardship while protecting the growing ranch.
The upcoming prequel 1944 will bridge the gap between 1923 and the modern Yellowstone series, likely covering the post-World War II era and another generation of Duttons.
The flagship Yellowstone series takes place in present day, while “The Madison” is positioned as a contemporary spinoff.
Character Crossovers and Story Continuity
The Dutton family tree connects all spinoffs, with John Dutton’s ancestors appearing throughout the prequels. Spencer Dutton from 1923 is believed to be the grandfather of Kevin Costner’s John Dutton, creating a direct lineage across the shows.
Cara Dutton (Helen Mirren) and Jacob Dutton (Harrison Ford) in 1923 establish family traits we later see in Beth Dutton and other modern characters – particularly their fierce determination and willingness to fight for their land.
Family tragedies and conflicts echo throughout the timeline, showing how patterns repeat across generations. The ranch itself serves as the most consistent “character,” with its boundaries and importance evolving over time.
Certain symbols and locations appear across all shows, including the ranch house, the “Y” brand, and key Montana landmarks that connect the past to the present Dutton story.
Cast and Characters
The Yellowstone universe features a remarkable array of talent across its original series and spin-offs, bringing complex characters to life through stellar performances by both established Hollywood legends and promising newcomers.
Pivotal Roles and Performances
Kevin Costner anchors the original Yellowstone series as the formidable John Dutton, patriarch of the powerful ranching family. His commanding presence established the tone for the entire franchise.
Kelly Reilly delivers a standout performance as Beth Dutton, whose razor-sharp wit and ruthless business tactics make her one of television’s most compelling characters. Alongside her, Cole Hauser’s portrayal of Rip Wheeler provides both strength and surprising tenderness.
The 1923 spin-off features Hollywood royalty with Harrison Ford and Helen Mirren as earlier Dutton generations, bringing gravitas to their roles as Jacob and Cara Dutton during a challenging historical period.
New Entrants in the Yellowstone Legacy
The expanding universe continues to attract impressive talent. Tim McGraw and Faith Hill led 1883 as James and Margaret Dutton, joined by Sam Elliott in a powerful supporting role.
Upcoming spin-off The Madison has secured Michelle Pfeiffer as its lead, signaling the franchise’s continued ability to attract A-list talent. Her character joins the universe’s tradition of strong, complex protagonists navigating challenging western landscapes.
Matthew Fox, Patrick J. Adams, Elle Chapman and Beau Garrett have also joined the Yellowstone universe, bringing fresh energy to the expanding storylines. Their characters will continue the legacy of rich character development established by the original series.
Distribution and Audience Reception
The Yellowstone franchise has evolved from a cable television phenomenon to a multi-platform global hit. Its distribution strategy spans traditional networks and streaming services, helping it reach diverse audiences while establishing a new model for modern television franchises.
Broadcasting Networks and Streaming Services
Yellowstone initially aired exclusively on the Paramount Network, establishing itself as a cable TV powerhouse. The main series concluded on December 15, 2024, after five seasons and 53 episodes featuring Kevin Costner and other key cast members.
The franchise’s distribution became more complex with its spin-offs. While the original show maintained its cable home, most spin-offs launched directly on Paramount+, creating a hybrid distribution model.
Interestingly, streaming rights created some confusion for viewers. Despite being a Paramount Network show, Yellowstone’s past seasons streamed on Peacock due to earlier licensing deals, while its spin-offs remained on Paramount+.
This split distribution strategy, though potentially confusing, ultimately expanded the franchise’s reach across multiple platforms.
Impact on Modern Television
Yellowstone’s distribution approach has revolutionized how television franchises operate in today’s fragmented media landscape. By combining traditional cable broadcasts with streaming originals, the franchise successfully bridges old and new TV consumption habits.
The strategy has proven remarkably effective. When one Yellowstone spin-off aired on Paramount Network after being available on Paramount+ for a year, it still drew nearly 5 million viewers, demonstrating the franchise’s cross-platform appeal.
This hybrid model has become a template for other networks looking to maximize both traditional ratings and streaming subscriptions. The franchise now includes multiple spin-offs across various timelines, including prequels like 1883 and 1923, and new sequels like The Madison.
Paramount Global Content Distribution manages global rights for all series, extending the franchise’s reach internationally.
Frequently Asked Questions
Viewers interested in the Yellowstone universe often have questions about the various spin-offs. These shows follow different Dutton family generations and expand on the ranch’s complex history.
What are the titles of the spin-off series associated with Yellowstone?
The Yellowstone universe has expanded to include several spin-off shows. The current lineup includes the historical prequels 1883 and 1923, both of which have already aired.
Additional spin-offs include 1944, which has been ordered for one season, and 6666 (pronounced “Four Sixes”), which is currently on hold.
Some reports also mention potential series titled 2024 and other projects that are in various stages of development within the growing Yellowstone universe.
How do the narratives of 1883 and 1923 relate to the original Yellowstone series?
1883 serves as the earliest prequel, following the Dutton family’s dangerous journey westward to establish what would eventually become the Yellowstone ranch. This series establishes the foundation of the Dutton legacy in Montana.
1923 jumps forward to follow another generation of Duttons during Prohibition and the Great Depression. This series shows how the family fought to maintain control of their land during challenging historical periods.
Both prequels provide crucial backstory to the modern-day conflicts seen in the original Yellowstone series, explaining how the Duttons’ fierce determination to protect their land became a family tradition.
In what chronological order should viewers watch the Yellowstone spin-offs including Landman and 6666?
For chronological story order, viewers should start with 1883, followed by 1923, then the upcoming 1944 when it releases. The original Yellowstone series comes next, with 6666 running somewhat parallel to the main series timeline.
Landman represents a different type of project from creator Taylor Sheridan. While associated with the Yellowstone production team, it explores the oil industry rather than continuing the Dutton family saga.
Some viewers prefer to watch in release order, starting with the original Yellowstone series to appreciate how the prequels fill in historical gaps later.
Is there a timeline available that details the release order of all Yellowstone spin-off seasons?
The release order began with the original Yellowstone in 2018, followed by 1883 which premiered in December 2021 for a single season.
1923 came next, debuting in December 2022, and has been renewed for a second season. The timeline for upcoming releases like 1944 and the status of 6666 remains somewhat fluid.
Paramount+ periodically updates their release schedule as production timelines shift, especially given recent industry disruptions and changes in the availability of key cast members.
What connections exist between the characters of the spin-off series and those from the original Yellowstone?
The main connection between all series is the Dutton family lineage. Characters in 1883 such as James and Margaret Dutton are the great-great-grandparents of John Dutton from the original series.
1923 features Jacob and Cara Dutton, with Jacob being the brother of James Dutton from 1883. Their story continues the family’s struggle to maintain the ranch during another historical period.
Occasional narrative devices like flashbacks or voice-over narration help cement these connections for viewers. In some cases, actors from the main series provide narration for the prequels, strengthening the connection between shows.
Have the spin-offs, such as 1883 and 6666, been renewed for additional seasons beyond their initial release?
1883 completed its story as a one-season miniseries with no plans for renewal, functioning as a complete chapter in the Dutton saga.
1923 has been renewed for a second season, continuing the story of that generation of Duttons through another set of historical challenges.
The status of 6666 remains uncertain, as it has been placed on hold. Meanwhile, 1944 has received an initial season order but has not yet premiered.
