The ‘Yellowstone’ Spinoffs: Everything You Need to Know

Yellowstone was the most-watched show last year, and the Dutton family universe is constantly expanding. The off-season has been filled with drama and rumors (mostly surrounding star Kevin Costner), culminating with the bombshell that the main series will end this fall with season 5. Creator Taylor Sheridan has developed an entire universe unlike anything else on television, and it can be hard to keep up with the prequels, sequels, and spinoffs (not to mention how to watch them!). We even created a Dutton family tree to try to keep the characters straight. Here, we rounded up everything there is to know about the shows (some confirmed, some rumored) and how to watch them.

Taylor Sheridan has a host of other current shows that exist outside of the Yellowstone universe (including Tulsa King, Mayor of Kingstown, Special Ops: Lioness, and Land Man), but here we focus on those related to the Dutton original. We will update this article as additional information becomes available.

Yellowstone

This is the series that sparked the Dutton family universe. The epic drama follows the present-day story of patriarch John Dutton (Kevin Costner) as he fights to keep his ranch in a changing world. He works alongside his children Beth (Kelly Reilly), Kayce (Luke Grimes), and Jamie (Wes Bentley).

The mid-season finale aired earlier this year, and the season 5 conclusion (which will mark the end of the series) is expected in November. Filming has not yet begun due to the ongoing writers’ strike, so don’t be surprised if that date gets pushed back.

1883

1883 was the second series to air, but it marks the oldest point in the Yellowstone timeline (so far). The show follows James and Margaret Dutton (Tim McGraw and Faith Hill) as they lead their family West amid harrowing conditions. The heart-breaking series co-starring Sam Elliott and Isabel May has just one season. McGraw’s character pops up on Yellowstone in flashback form and Isabel May’s Elsa serves as the narrator for 1923, but there are no other crossovers.

1923

The Dutton story takes a 40-year time jump to 1923, where Jacob and Cara Dutton (Harrison Ford and Helen Mirren) struggle to keep the ranch afloat while their nephew Spencer (Brandon Sklenar) is overseas. Spencer’s adventures lead him to Alex (Julia Schlaepfer), and the two embark on a trans-continental love affair.

6666 (Four Sixes)

Paramount+ announced in 2021 that a series about the Four Sixes was in the works after Yellowstone‘s Jimmy Hurdstrom (Jefferson White) relocated to the famed Texas ranch. Not much else is known about the show, but fans can expect vet tech Emily (Katherine Kelly) to reprise her role. Jimmy’s life in Texas took up a lot of season 5 screen time on Yellowstone, but the series does not seem to be imminent. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, 

Lawmen: Bass Reeves

This offshoot, originally named 1883: The Bass Reeves Story, seems to be farther along in the production process, as filming is underway. No premiere date has been announced, but the miniseries will star David Oyelowo as the historical character Bass Reeves, the first Black deputy U.S. Marshall west of the Mississippi.

The show will also star Donald Sutherland, Dennis Quaid, and Christopher Corson. The series takes place at the same time as the 1883 saga, but no overlap is expected. Bass Reeves will be the first installment of an anthology, with each season focusing on a different lawman.

Unnamed Yellowstone Spinoff

When Paramount announced that Yellowstone would end with season 5, they softened the blow by announcing a new yet-to-be-named sequel that would premiere in December. David Glasser, CEO of 101 Studios, said, “The Dutton story continues, picking up where Yellowstone leaves off in another epic tale. We are thrilled to bring this new journey to audiences around the world.” Nothing else is known about the spinoff at this time, and the December premiere date may be unlikely as the writers’ strike continues.

The show is expected to premiere on Paramount Network and then stream on Paramount+.

Matthew McConaughey Spinoff

Rumors have been swirling about McConaughey’s involvement in the Yellowstone universe, but nothing concrete is known about what that entails. The Hollywood Reporter states that the actor is in “late-stage negotiations for a ‘new chapter'” in the saga, meaning he is not expected to replace Kevin Costner. Taylor Sheridan said he only has “the broadest strokes” worked out. Matthew McConaughey is currently filming The Rivals of The Amizah King in Alabama, so we’re not expecting this show to move forward soon.

Additional Yellowstone Sequels

Taylor Sheridan told The Hollywood Reporter that “several” more prequels are in the works. Deadline reports that the 1940s and 1960s are potential time periods for these spinoffs, but no additional information has been released.