1883 And 1923 Are Yellowstone’s Tight-Knit Prequel Series

Taylor Sheridan’s first Yellowstone prequel, 1883, tells the story of the earliest-known members of the Dutton family tree, set in the titular year. The series followed James and Margaret Dutton as they took their children on a variant of the Oregon Trail in search of land, with country stars Tim McGraw and Faith Hill playing the couple.

1883, arguably Yellowstone’s best prequel, is truly a limited series. The show is a tight-knit saga comprising 10 episodes, with James and Margaret’s daughter, Elsa (Isabel May), narrating. Considering the gravity of the earliest Yellowstone prequel, there’s a reason why 1883 ended after a single season, and despite Sheridan continuing the story in 1923, it left fans wanting more.

1923 comprises two seasons but has only five more episodes than its predecessor. Focusing on the Dutton kin that lived during the Prohibition era, 1923 picks up 40 years after 1883 left off, detailing what happens after Jacob and Cara Dutton take over their family’s ranch, with Harrison Ford and Helen Mirren leading the production.

Taylor Sheridan Established An Unpopular Yellowstone Prequel Trend

While the short length of 1883 and 1923 arguably creates a strong story and is an asset, it’s a divisive quality for some fans. When Yellowstone announced that 1883 Season 2 wasn’t happening, fans were devastated. Not only do many of the main characters in 1883 experience tragic endings, but the series doesn’t get a new cast.

Instead, Sheridan took 1883’s story 40 years into the future, to 1923, where he continued the lore of the Dutton family with an entirely new set of faces and characters. While 1923 is five episodes longer, it still left fans wanting, with aspects like Alex (Julia Schlaepfer) and Spencer Dutton’s (Brandon Sklenar) story hooking audiences.

However, as with 1883, there’s nowhere for the 1920s Dutton family story to go after 1923 Season 2’s finale, especially considering what happens to Alex Dutton. With the series ending abruptly and on such somber notes, it unfortunately left fans wanting more. However, the problematic trend could work in favor of the next Yellowstone prequel, given Sheridan’s exit from Paramount.

Taylor Sheridan’s Yellowstone Prequel Trend Is Great News For 1944

It was reported that after his exclusive TV deal ends at the conclusion of 2028, Sheridan is leaving Paramount for a massive deal with NBCUniversal. There, he would produce content for the company’s streaming service, Peacock, while stepping away from his Paramount+ shows, though Paramount will retain the rights to the series and could keep making new seasons without Sheridan.

While Yellowstone’s prequel spinoffs came with their fair share of controversy, the trend Sheridan established with his initial period dramas could save the one hanging in the balance. Sheridan will stick around for a couple of years until his contract with Paramount ends. However, the Yellowstone co-creator only has so much time to wrap up his many TV projects.

With spinoffs not yet in production, such as 6666 and a potential 1960s spinoff, some Yellowstone projects could be cut. Others, like Beth (Kelly Reilly) and Rip’s (Cole Hauser) spinoff, The Dutton Ranch, or Kayce Dutton’s (Luke Grimes) Y: Marshals, can continue without Sheridan, but he may not stick around for the full story, giving 1944 a significant advantage.

Though the short length of Yellowstone’s spinoffs has been divisive in the past, the trend could work in fans’ favor when it comes to 1944, Sheridan’s World War II-era prequel announced in 2023. In 1944’s case, if it follows 1883 and 1923, its short nature means fans could get the full story before Sheridan leaves, giving it a significant advantage.