In December 2021, 1883 launched first on Paramount+ before getting a full-season run on Paramount Network that summer. The prequel series to Yellowstone was narrated by star Isabel May and followed her and co-stars Sam Elliott, Faith Hill and Tim McGraw on a 19th-century wagon trail in their epic, cross-country journey before settling what would become the Yellowstone Ranch seen in the flagship series.
The Paramount+ series was such a hit out of the gate that the network ordered more episodes for the limited series and sparked the franchise’s expansion into 1923 (more on that below). After it had already been available to stream on Paramount+ for a year, the Paramount Network telecast drew just under 5 million viewers following an episode of Yellowstone and set a premiere record for the channel. Paramount Network also launched a linear, weekly rerelease in June 2023 amid the dual strikes.
Elsa Dutton has become the connective tissue of the franchise, as she has gone on to narrate 1923 from the grave and made a surprise voiceover appearance at the end of the flagship’s season 5b finale.
1923 (2 seasons)
EMERSON MILLER/PARAMOUNT+
Picking up decades after 1883 left off, the second Yellowstone prequel series, 1923, traced more Dutton lineage to the elder Duttons played by Harrison Ford and Helen Mirren.
Creator Sheridan explained of his decision to jump the series to the year 1923: “I chose that moment in time to peek back in because you’re seeing the children that we’ve met in 1883 attempting to raise another generation of Dutton.” The first season ended on a cliffhanger focused around the emerging main character of the series played by Brandon Sklenar and was quickly renewed for a second season. The early 20th century drama’s premiere became the most-watched series premiere on cable in 2022.
Season two is returning two years after its season one finale when it releases Feb. 23 on Paramount+. Here’s the logline for the return of 1923, which aired its first trailer during the Yellowstone season 5B finale: “A cruel winter brings new challenges and unfinished business to Jacob (Ford) and Cara (Mirren) back at Dutton ranch. With harsh conditions and adversaries threatening to end the Dutton legacy, Spencer (Sklenar) embarks on an arduous journey home, racing against time to save his family in Montana. Meanwhile, Alexandra (Julia Schlaepfer) sets off on her own harrowing trans-Atlantic journey to find Spencer and reclaim their love.”
The Madison (formerly 2024)
MARILLA SICILIA/ARCHIVIO MARILLA SICILIA/MONDADORI PORTFOLIO VIA GETTY IMAGES
When confirming the end of Yellowstone, Paramount Network had set the wheels in motion for two more spinoffs. One was planned to be the first-ever Yellowstone sequel, which had the working title 2024. The present-day story would take place after the events of Yellowstone. It was given a straight-to-series order and will stream on Paramount+ (a premiere date has yet to be set). The series will continue exploring the Dutton family dynasty with new characters and locations, as well as some existing characters.
Matthew McConaughey was initially in talks to star in the series, widely reported when the Costner standoff began. However, a deal was never announced.
Now, this series has taken shape and has been re-titled to The Madison and will star Michelle Pfeiffer. The Oscar-nominated movie star will also executive produce the spinoff series from franchise boss Sheridan, and The Madison had been planned to be the next show to roll out in the Yellowstone universe following the flagship’s final run with season 5B. The series is currently in production.
The Madison is described as a heartfelt study of grief and human connection following a New York City family in the Madison River valley of central Montana. Lost alum Matthew Fox, Suits star Patrick J. Adams, TV newcomer Elle Chapman and Firefly Lane star Beau Garrett have all been added to the cast, along with Y: The Last Man‘s Ben Schnetzer and Amiah Miller.
1944 (1 season ordered)
EMERSON MILLER/PARAMOUNT+
The second spinoff that was announced is another prequel, set in 1944, that will follow in the footsteps of 1883 and 1923. Details around this series are scarce. Sheridan, who co-created Yellowstone with John Linson and is the showrunner for the franchise, told The Hollywood Reporter in a June cover story that he had several prequel ideas brewing, though 1944 is the first to get a green light.
As with the previous series, the spinoffs will be produced by MTV Entertainment Studios and 101 Studios.
Beth and Rip?
COURTESY
Beth Dutton and Rip Wheeler may not be riding off into the sunset just yet. The fan-favorite Yellowstone couple played by Kelly Reilly and Cole Hauser, respectively, have been in talks to continue on the Yellowstone-verse since this summer. Then, just days ahead of the season 5B finale, multiple reports surfaced that the pair finalized deals — not for a sixth season of the flagship, which had been previously reported, but for their own spinoff series. The news, if true, was a spoiler going into the finale — and explains why Paramount Network didn’t comment.
Reilly and Hauser have both expressed their interest in following Sheridan, who writes all episodes of Yellowstone, wherever his pen takes them. “Taylor can figure out how to absolutely continue if he wants to,” Hauser told THR at the start of this season. Reilly added, “It’s up to him. We trust him. … I trust him with wherever he takes her; whether we’re leaving her where we’ve left her, or we’re going to find her somewhere else, I trust him.”
After the finale, executive producer and season 5B director Christina Voros explained how Sheridan left the door “wide open” to continue on with Beth and Rip. Read her spoiler-filled interview with THR.
6666 (on hold)
Sheridan announced that the 6666 spinoff series that had been set to star Yellowstone actor Jefferson White (Jimmy) is on hold given Sheridan’s purchase of the property where the show would be filmed, the Four Sixes ranch in Texas. (The Montana ranch in Yellowstone is fictional, but the Four Sixes ranch, featured as the 6666 Ranch in the series, is real.) “That, for a number of reasons, needs a unique level of special care because this is a real place with real families working here,” he explained in THR‘s cover story. “You have to respect the lineage. I’ve told [the studio] to be patient.”
Sheridan owns and operates two Texas ranches, also including Bosque Ranch. He also recently opened the Four Sixes Ranch Steakhouse in Las Vegas featuring his Four Sixes Ranch Beef.
