1883 Was Always Meant to Have One Season: Unlike Other Yellowstone Series, 1883 Was Always Going to Be a Miniseries
Not every show is meant to exist for multiple seasons. Sheridan always wanted to make an extended Western with 1883, but he never wanted the show to run for another season. Instead, he saw the opportunity to follow the overarching story with 1923. That meant saying goodbye to beloved characters, including James and Margaret Dutton so that the next generation could begin their own stories. It also meant skipping forward to a time when the characters are more entwined with the Yellowstone ranch, rather than being new arrivals desperately trying to survive in a hostile environment. The timeline of Sheridan’s Yellowstone Universe is extensive because it allows characters from entirely different settings to tell their story. In 1883, Sheridan wanted to set the narrative in a post-Civil War Montana. In 1923, he was able to tackle other then-present events, including the early signs of the Great Depression and the threat of prohibition. The same has been true for each project, which has given Sheridan new settings to explore through the Yellowstone lens.
Being a Limited Series Benefited 1883: Unlike Some Other Shows, 1883 Never Outstayed Its Welcome
If Sheridan entered production expecting that there would only be a single season, there was no reason to extend beyond those expectations. The Flash, How I Met Your Mother, and Once Upon a Time are all examples of shows that ran far too long. They extended their run just to satisfy networks and studios, and it was a disservice to the original shows. Instead of coming to neat conclusions that can close character arcs, they muddled the overall story structure. It can strip shows of the elements that made them great, which would have been disappointing for a thrilling show like 1883. There were only so many stories for Sheridan to tell in the 1883 world. His decision to restrict himself to just the story told in Season 1 may have been limiting, but it also ensured that there was never a moment wherein 1883 jumped off of the rails. He had a plan in mind, stuck to that plan, and delivered a product that enthralled viewers and enriched the world of Yellowstone. If he ever wishes to return to that setting, flashbacks are an available option, and they would likely be unable to take away from the atmosphere that he built in the original show. As it is, he tackled original themes and closed the book on many beloved characters, all while thoroughly considering the setting of the show and the stresses of the journey to a largely uncolonized Montana. Another benefit is that plans never needed to be reshuffled for 1883. Yellowstone is largely coming to an end because of the conflict between Costner and Paramount. Running for five seasons left time for grievances to fester, scheduling issues to pile up, and monetary issues to grow. With a set plan for a single season of 1883, behind-the-scenes issues were unlikely to appear, and it saved Sheridan from ever needing to risk shutting down the show over similar issues. Instead, it could begin and end on good terms, and the entire cast and crew of Yellowstone were able to complete production as planned and as scheduled. Considering the original show’s difficulties, being a limited series has been a blessing in disguise for the prequel. As it stands, it is disappointing to see that it is unlikely that 1883 will ever see another episode. As much as Sheridan prefers telling that singular narrative, it would be nice to see a full return to the lives of James and Margaret and a Dutton family that has not grown too influential. The relatively humble beginnings shine a new light on the entire Yellowstone franchise, as it takes a larger-than-life family and instead portrays it in an early conflict that could have swallowed them all. If Sheridan had not had a planned ending, that difference may not have struck quite as clearly. The ending is what made 1883 work, even if it is sad to see that Season 2 will never come to be.
Is There a Way for 1883’s Story to Continue? Other Spinoffs Continue the Story of 1883
If Sheridan ever wanted to revisit characters from 1883, it is always possible to do so with the other Yellowstone spin-off shows. Every Yellowstone spinoff exists in the same timeline, leaving him ample opportunity to feature the surviving Duttons from those earlier years again. John hails directly from 1883, yet much of 1923 is directly focused on his adventures. It is a direct tie that gives little reason for Sheridan to commit to a two-season run when he could conclude every important character arc in other spin-offs. It also provides a tight tie between the shows, so that the universe never feels too disconnected. Every change made to 1883 could also be an uncomfortable retcon if it ever contradicts an earlier development in 1923. Choosing to continue one, rather than the other, was a natural decision. It was recently revealed that, after its final second season, 1923 will get a sequel series in the form of 1944. This show will continue some of the story from its predecessor but follow the next generation of the Dutton family. Taylor Sheridan always has the option to follow a similar route with 1823 by spinning out certain characters’ stories in a different series. This would also potentially bridge the gap between 1883 and 1923, creating a greater synergy between the series in the franchise and creating a more complete timeline for Yellowstone in general.
What’s Next for the Yellowstone Franchise? There Are Several New Yellowstone Spinoff Series and Seasons on the Way
Yellowstone Season 5B brings an end to the Dutton family drama that spans generations, back to the 1880s. With the death of John Dutton igniting a war between his children, it seems that the toxic relationship between the Duttons and their ancestral ranch may finally be over. However, that doesn’t mean that the Yellowstone franchise must also come to an end. There are already several projects in the works that fans of the original series can be on the lookout for. After Yellowstone‘s series finale, the next project on the slate is 1923 Season 2, which is expected to be released sometime in 2025. This will act as the final season of the hit spinoff starring Harrison Ford and Helen Mirren, which continues the story of the Duttons as they establish their Montana ranch. Several other spinoffs in development will likely premiere in the next year or two. 1944 is set to immediately follow the events of 1923 Season 2, acting as a sequel series of sorts that could bridge its predecessor to the events of Yellowstone. Furthermore, a spinoff centering around the Four Sixes Ranch in Texas, 6666, is in development as well, though there has been little word about the project’s progress. Perhaps the most intriguing of these spinoffs is The Madison, a series that is rumored to act as a direct sequel to Yellowstone. The series stars Michelle Pfeiffer as Stacy Clyburn, a wealthy widow who moves from the big city to rural Montana to start a new life for herself and her family. The Madison is expected to come out sometime in 2025 and may recycle some of the storylines from Yellowstone‘s sixth season, which was scrapped as a result of Kevin Costner’s early exit from the series. Even with Yellowstone‘s finale approaching, there is still plenty more to expect from Taylor Sheridan’s hit franchise. With multiple spinoffs in development, the story of the Duttons isn’t quite over yet.
