UNTOLD MYSTERIES OF THE YELLOWSTONE UNIVERSE: HOW TO WATCH IN THE RIGHT ORDER AND THE SPINOFFS ABOUT TO TAKE OVER
Fans of Yellowstone might have thought it was time to hang up their cowboy hats after the flagship series wrapped in 2024, along with its two acclaimed prequels 1883 and 1923. But in truth, that was just the beginning of a far longer journey. Taylor Sheridan is expanding his modern Western universe with a slate of new projects, making the Dutton family saga more complex — and more thrilling — than ever. Which raises the question that keeps popping up among viewers: What’s the right order to watch it all?
To fully grasp the Dutton legacy, the story begins with 1883, where James Dutton (Tim McGraw) leads his family to Montana and lays the foundation for the Yellowstone Ranch. The series may only span ten episodes, but it sets the emotional and thematic bedrock for everything that follows. Next comes 1923, with Harrison Ford and Helen Mirren portraying a generation navigating the Great Depression and seismic social change — a direct continuation of 1883 but still decades before the events of Yellowstone. Finally, the flagship series Yellowstone (2018–2024) plunges us into the modern-day saga of John Dutton (Kevin Costner) and his family, as they fight to protect the largest contiguous ranch in America against threats to their land, power, and survival.
But the Duttons’ story isn’t over — far from it. In 2025, The Dutton Ranch will pick up where the main series left off, following Beth and Rip as they forge their own legacy. At the same time, The Madison will introduce an entirely new family from New York relocating to Montana, offering a fresh perspective on the contemporary West, with Michelle Pfeiffer starring as Stacy Clyburn. Then in 2026, Y: Marshals is set to explore Kayce Dutton’s journey to becoming a U.S. Marshal, while 1944 will transport audiences to the turbulence of World War II, opening yet another chapter in the Dutton family’s history. Meanwhile, 6666 will head to Texas to focus on the legendary Four Sixes Ranch, diving into the culture of the modern cowboy.
Rumors are swirling about even more projects, including a potential prequel centered on a young John Dutton, with names like Cody Fern, Lucas Till, and Jacob Elordi floated as possible casting choices. Fans are also speculating whether characters from 1923, such as Spencer Dutton and Alexandra, might reappear, creating even deeper intergenerational links across the franchise.
Taken together, it’s clear that Taylor Sheridan isn’t just prolonging a popular series — he’s constructing an entire television mythology. Each chapter, each era, and each character becomes a puzzle piece in a sweeping portrait of the Dutton family’s place in American history. If 1883 was the origin story, 1923 the historical trial by fire, and Yellowstone the modern tragedy, the new spinoffs promise to push those themes even further, weaving a multigenerational epic that spans decades. And in this layering of timelines, characters, and struggles, the Yellowstone universe has already secured its place as one of television’s defining sagas — with no sign of slowing down.