Stay saddled up, Yellowstone fans!
Paramount+ shared exciting news when they revealed that the beloved neo-Western series starring Kevin Costner was getting a prequel series titled 1883 in December 2021 — and based on the streamer’s subsequent announcement, there’s more to learn about the Dutton family.
Around the time of 1883‘s season finale in February 2022, Paramount+ announced that the originally slated nine-episode series wasn’t ending there. Though no explicit mention of a season 2, Tanya Giles — chief programming officer for ViacomCBS Streaming — confirmed that new episodes are on the way, though didn’t specify the format.
“The incredible storytelling and stellar performances behind 1883 have fueled phenomenal new records for Paramount+,” said Giles. “We look forward to bringing fans even more of the Duttons’ origin story.”
In addition to the 1883 storyline that chronicles the lives of the Dutton’s 19th-century ancestors, a new chapter of the boot-wearing brood has been ordered with a new Taylor Sheridan-created prequel series titled 1923 (originally titled 1932, but was later changed).
“With the brilliant mind and gifted storytelling of Taylor Sheridan, we have created an entirely new world to explore with 1883 while expanding Yellowstone,” said ViacomCBS President Chris McCarthy in a statement. “And with 1932 we will open up a new chapter in this rapidly growing universe,” he said prior to the retitling.
The extension of the Yellowstone universe still doesn’t stop there! A spin-off series titled 6666 was announced in February 2021, which according to star Jefferson White (who plays Jimmy Hurdstrom) will be “gritty” and “not glamorous.”
Keep scrolling for a guide to each Yellowstone spin-off and prequel series, including the cast, the plot and more!
1883
Telling the origin story of the Dutton family featured on Yellowstone, 1883 follows their 19th-century ancestors James and Margaret Dutton as they embark on their wild journey west from Texas to Montana through the Great Plains. Lawless lands, bloody gunfights, danger, and dust (lots of it) are promised in each of its nine (and counting) episodes.
A star-studded cast was corralled with Tim McGraw and Faith Hill as leads. They are joined by multi-award winners Sam Elliot and Eric Nelsen, in addition to Isabel May, LaMonica Garrett, Audie Rick, Emma Malouff, Dawn Olivieri, Marc Rissmann, Anna Fiamora, James Landry Hébert, Alex Fine, Gratiela Brancusi, Nichole Galicia, Stephanie Nur, Amanda Jaros, Noah Le Gros, and Martin Sensmeier.
The first two episodes premiered in December 2021 on the Paramount Network, but the rest of the series was exclusive to its streamer, Paramount+ (unlike the entirety of Yellowstone which aired on Paramount).
Keep a close eye out in the second episode because Tom Hanks makes a cameo, playing a general named George Meade in a flashback sequence. 1883 consisted of ten episodes and concluded on Feb. 27, 2022.
When ViacomCBS’ chief programming officer teased more episodes following its finale, fans speculated whether that meant an extension of season one or if a season 2 was underway. Turns out, neither!
Instead, the Yellowstone spin-off will be getting an offshoot of its own, titled 1883: The Bass Reeves Story
1923
Helen Mirren and Harrison Ford star in 1923 (originally titled 1932) which premiered on Dec. 8, 2022, on Paramount Network and its streamer in a special simulcast event. They play husband and wife, matriarch Cara Dutton and patriarch Jacob Dutton, respectively.
The series chronologically follows the events that unfolded in 1883 (hence its title) — which saw the Duttons make their dangerous trek to Montana. It follows the couple, along with their children, as they run the family farm in the aforementioned state while navigating the challenges of the early 20th century, which include pandemics, a historic drought, the end of Prohibition and the Great Depression.
The teaser — which dropped during the season 5 premiere of Yellowstone in November 2022 — gave a glimpse into the chaos of the time, showing multiple battles both on the ground and on horseback. The central characters get in on the action, with a shot of Mirren’s Cara, injured and pointing a rifle at someone, and Ford’s Jacob looking desperately to the side as he points a gun off camera.
Ford told reporters in December that the formation of the project is what ultimately got him hooked on the role. “The writing and the ambition of the piece that’s evident from the scope and scale of it, [drew me to the role,]” he explained. “And the precision of his language and dialogue, and the character.”
The series, which also stars Marley Shelton, Jennifer Ehle, Sebastian Roché and Darren Mann, is slated to have a second season, which will include eight episodes, Deadline reporter.
6666
Pronounced “Four Sixes,” 6666 details the raw and authentic perspective of a real cattle ranch — this time in West Texas, rather than Montana like depicted in Yellowstone.
“The Sixes is one of the oldest ranches in Texas, one of the oldest ranches in the country… One of the oldest functioning cattle ranches, horse training, breeding facilities in the country,” White told Entertainment Tonight. “I’m really excited for people to see the real, gritty, not glamorous world of real-life cattle ranching, now in modern times.”
A 6666 premiere date remains up in the air, in addition to whether or not the series will be exclusive to Paramount’s streaming service. The cast has also yet to be revealed.