1944 Episode 1 Trailer (2026): New Yellowstone Prequel

The Yellowstone universe has grown into one of television’s most captivating sagas, and Taylor Sheridan shows no signs of slowing down. After the success of 1883 and 1923, fans have been eagerly awaiting the next installment in the Dutton family saga. Now, the long-rumored 1944 is finally on its way, and it promises to be one of the most emotional and historically rich chapters yet. While Sheridan has several projects lined up—including The Madison (slated for late 2025) and the long-anticipated 6666—it’s 1944 that has fans buzzing the loudest. And for good reason: this series picks up the story of the Duttons two decades after the heartbreaking events of 1923, plunging them into the chaos of World War II.

The Timeline Shift: 21 Years Later

The new prequel leaps forward about twenty-one years from the end of 1923, setting its focus on John Dutton II, the son of Spencer Dutton and Alexandra. By this point, John is in his early twenties—right at the age when young men were being drafted to fight overseas. He also carries the monumental legacy of being the father of Kevin Costner’s John Dutton from the flagship Yellowstone series. That makes 1944 not just another spinoff, but a critical link in the Dutton family chain.

But John’s life is not just about heritage—it’s shaped by tragedy. His mother, Alexandra, died of frostbite shortly after giving birth, a cruel twist that devastated audiences at the end of 1923. Taylor Sheridan’s decision to kill Alexandra felt unbearably harsh, leaving Spencer to raise his son alone in a brutal world. Now, with 1944, Sheridan seems to be circling back, giving fans both closure and redemption by exploring how that loss molded John Dutton II into a scarred, complex man.

Alexandra’s Possible Return—As a Ghost?

Here’s where things get even more intriguing. Julia Schlaepfer, who played Alexandra, has hinted she’d be open to returning—despite her character’s death. At an industry event, she even teased that Brandon Sklenar (Spencer) had lobbied for Alexandra to return as a ghost. Fans are torn: it’s bold, risky, and maybe even wild, but the thought of John seeing his mother or Spencer haunted by visions of his late wife could deliver some of the most emotional scenes in the entire franchise. Sheridan has never shied away from bending storytelling conventions, so don’t count it out.

Elizabeth’s Return and a New Romance

If Alexandra’s death left fans gutted, then Elizabeth’s reappearance is the balm they didn’t know they needed. Viewers will recall Elizabeth left the ranch in 1923, pregnant with Jack’s child, and moved away. Rumors now suggest she will resurface in 1944, and her return won’t just be a cameo—it may set the stage for one of the Dutton family’s most complicated romances yet.

Whispers from behind the scenes suggest Elizabeth could become the widowed woman referenced in 1923—the one destined to share a romance with Spencer after Alexandra’s passing. If this theory holds, Sheridan could be setting up a shocking, emotionally charged twist: Spencer reconnecting with Elizabeth years later. Her return to the ranch, possibly with her son in tow, could spark both romance and rivalry, particularly if John Dutton II clashes with Elizabeth’s child over inheritance and their place in the family hierarchy. This storyline alone has enough firepower to fuel the emotional core of 1944.

Spencer’s Place in 1944

Brandon Sklenar has already expressed enthusiasm about reprising Spencer, and fans can hardly imagine 1944 without him. Seeing an older, battle-hardened Spencer trying to raise John Dutton II against the backdrop of global war is exactly the kind of storytelling that Yellowstone thrives on. The prequel also teased in 1923 that Spencer would eventually have a relationship with a widow, and 1944 seems primed to deliver on that cryptic foreshadowing.

Spencer’s role could also deepen the generational dynamics of the Dutton family. He is not just a father; he’s a man who has already endured war, loss, and love. Watching him navigate a world at war again—this time with his son facing the draft—will bring a haunting symmetry to the saga.

World War II Changes Everything

If 1883 explored the Duttons’ perilous journey acr

oss the frontier and 1923 chronicled their survival through the Great Depression, then 1944 will show them enduring their most global test yet: World War II. For John Dutton II, war won’t be a distant concern—it’s his reality. He’s old enough to be drafted, and we may see him shipped off to Europe or the Pacific. That means training camps, brutal missions, and impossible choices that will harden him into the man who would one day father John Dutton III.

But the war won’t just affect individuals—it will transform the Yellowstone ranch itself. Resources will be diverted to the war effort, manpower will dwindle, and the Duttons will have to make impossible decisions to keep their land afloat while the world burns around them. For the first time in the saga, the Yellowstone isn’t just fighting local battles against rival ranchers or corporations—it’s being pulled into a global conflict.

Family Rivalry and Legacy

One of the juiciest rumors surrounding 1944 is the rivalry between John Dutton II and Elizabeth’s son. If Elizabeth does indeed return to the ranch with her child, tensions are inevitable. Both boys would carry Dutton blood, both would feel entitled to the family’s legacy, and both would be shaped by entirely different upbringings. That clash of identities could become the emotional and dramatic heartbeat of the series, setting the stage for fights, betrayals, and possibly even tragedies.

Imagine John Dutton II—a young man scarred by his mother’s death, hardened by war, and fiercely protective of his father’s ranch—squaring off against his cousin, who returns with his widowed mother, demanding a share of what he sees as rightfully his. The emotional stakes couldn’t be higher.

Sheridan’s Master Plan and Production Timeline

As much as fans crave 1944 right now, patience will be key. Sheridan’s plate is overflowing with projects, and while The Madison is expected to drop in late 2025, production on 1944 likely won’t begin until after that. That means we shouldn’t expect to see the premiere until late 2026 at the earliest.

Still, the long wait might work in the series’ favor. Sheridan’s track record shows he takes time to craft his stories with precision, and with 1944 being such a pivotal piece of the Dutton legacy, fans should expect nothing less than a cinematic experience on the small screen.

Why 1944 Matters

In many ways, 1944 feels like Sheridan’s opportunity to balance tragedy with redemption. 1923 left audiences emotionally shattered, particularly with Alexandra’s death. But 1944 offers a chance to see how that heartbreak shaped the next generation of Duttons—and to watch John Dutton II grow into the man whose bloodline would eventually lead to the modern-day Yellowstone saga.

At its heart, 1944 isn’t just about war, inheritance, or even love—it’s about resilience. It’s about how grief, sacrifice, and history forge a family’s legacy. And it’s about how one young man, caught between loss and duty, begins to carry the weight of a name that will one day define Montana itself.

Final Thoughts

The trailer for 1944 Episode 1 may still be years away, but the anticipation is already electric. Sheridan has built a world where every prequel doesn’t just expand the story—it deepens it, weaving tragedy and triumph into a tapestry that spans generations. With 1944, he’s poised to give fans one of the most emotionally charged and historically resonant chapters yet.

Expect family rivalries, wartime sacrifices, ghostly memories, and the kind of storytelling only Sheridan can deliver. It won’t just be another prequel—it will be the bridge between the old world of the Duttons and the legacy we know today. And when it finally arrives in 2026, it might just stand as the most important Yellowstone story ever told.