The Yellowstone franchise is at a turning point as Taylor Sheridan’s popular Western television universe looks for a new path forward after the conclusion of its flagship series. Yellowstone officially came to an end after five seasons, putting a definitive end to one chapter in the Dutton Family Saga. However, the franchise is far from over.
There are several Yellowstone spinoffs in various stages of development. From sequel series expanding the franchise beyond the original series to entirely new shows revolving around a cast of fresh faces, there are plenty of Yellowstone fans to be excited about. However, some of these upcoming spinoffs are more exciting than others.
5. The Madison Could Make or Break the Yellowstone Franchise
This Series Plans to Move Beyond the Duttons
The Madison is a new series set within the Yellowstone television universe that promises to reinvent the franchise after the conclusion of its flagship series. The Madison stars Michelle Pfeiffer as Stacy Clyburn, the matriarch of a wealthy New York family who moves to rural Montana after a tragedy hits too close to him. Together with her family, Stacy adjusts to a new way of life, adopting the surprisingly complex ways of the countryside while navigating various family drama that arises in the meantime. Also joining the series are Patrick J. Adams, Elle Chapman, Matthew Fox, Beau Garrett, and Amiah Miller.
Although The Madison has great potential as a standalone series, its inclusion in Taylor Sheridan’s Yellowstone franchise is puzzling. Other than its shared setting of rural Montana, the upcoming series appears to have no connections to Yellowstone or the Dutton family. While Michelle Pfieffer’s upcoming neo-Western may be a vehicle for the franchise to expand beyond the Dutton Family Saga, the question remains whether or not Yellowstone fans are interested in any such story. Sheridan’s television universe has always thrived thanks to the Duttons, and a story outside of the family’s dramatic history may not be appealing to longtime fans.
4. 6666 May Be a Step Too Far for the Yellowstone Franchise
This Spinoff Aims to Flesh Out the Four Sixes Ranch In Texas
One series rumored to be in the works for a long time is 6666, a spinoff centered around the Four Sixes Ranch in Texas. This horse ranch has made numerous appearances in Yellowstone, most notably when Jefferson White’s Jimmy Hurdstrom is sent there to learn how to become a real cowboy. Audiences have met several employees of the Four Sixes, including Travis Wheatley, the head cowboy and a longtime associate of the Dutton family.
The Four Sixes Ranch was always an interesting inclusion in Yellowstone, but an entire series based around its staff and their exploits may be overindulgent for the franchise. From what audiences see in the other series, the Four Sixes isn’t all that different from the Dutton property, calling into question whether the Texas-based ranch needs to be explored in any greater depth. While it would be great to see more of Jimmy and his friends at their new locale, 6666 mostly seems unnecessary to Yellowstone fans.
3. 1944 Has the Potential to Be Another Great Entry in the Dutton Saga
This Spinoff May Bridge 1923 and Yellowstone
After the conclusion of 1923 with its second and final season later this year, Taylor Sheridan plans to continue the Dutton Family Saga in the third spinoff of the original Yellowstone series, 1944. As its name implies, the spinoff will be set in 1944, following the next generation of the Dutton family as they navigate life during World War II. The series is expected to follow the continuing adventures of Spencer (Brandon Sklenar) and Alexandra Dutton (Julia Schlaepfer) as they inherit their family’s ranch.
1944 has the exciting opportunity to bridge the gap between Yellowstone‘s various series, creating a complete multi-generational narrative following the Duttons over more than a century. After 1833 and 1923, the upcoming 1944 spinoff will most likely include the birth of John Dutton II, the father of John Dutton III, the protagonist of the original series. In so doing, the Dutton Family Saga will finally be complete, as audiences meet every generation of the family. Moreover, 1944‘s unique setting provides plenty of interesting storytelling opportunities as the Duttons deal with the fallout of another World War.
2. 1923 Season 2 Features an Epic Conclusion for Another Generation of Duttons
Harrison Ford and Helen Mirren Star In This Terrific Prequel Series
1923 is the second spinoff in the Yellowstone franchise, set after the events of 1883. The series explores the exploits of Jacob (Harrison Ford) and Cara Dutton (Helen Mirren) as they work hard to preserve the ranch left to them by Jacob’s late younger brother, James (Tim McGraw). Jacob and Cara are set to return for the second and final season of their spinoff series, which premieres on February 23.
1923 Season 2 not only marks the first time that a Yellowstone spinoff series has returned for an additional season but also promises to conclude the emotional story of Jacob and Cara Dutton. With a star-studded cast that truly brought their characters to life in the first season, 1923 stands out as one of the best entries in the Yellowstone franchise so far. Fans are excited to see how this stage of the Dutton Family Saga will end, even if they might be a bit apprehensive about the fates of certain beloved characters.
1. The Beth and Rip Spinoff Is Yellowstone’s Most Exciting Upcoming Series
This Upcoming Sequel Series Is the Closest Fans Will Get to Season 6 of Yellowstone
Yellowstone infamously ended one season earlier than expected as a result of Kevin Costner’s decision to exit the series halfway through its fifth season. As such, many storylines for the planned sixth season were rushed to bring the series to a close at the end of season five. However, a planned spinoff starring Rip and Beth will explore some of these abandoned storylines, following the two fan-favorite characters after the event of Yellowstone as they start a new ranch and kick off a new legacy without the Dutton name.
Audiences still know very little about Rip and Beth’s spinoff series, but that hasn’t kept them from getting excited about what the future might hold for the iconic characters. The show can continue to expand Beth and Rip’s characters as they continue to work through their trauma and break the cycle of abuse that both suffered for far too long. The possibilities are endless for the as-yet-unnamed spinoff series, which may be the new main entry in the Yellowstone franchise moving forward.
