Taylor Sheridan’s Forgotten Western Series Is Yellowstone Prequel’s Perfect Replacement

Taylor Sheridan’s forgotten Western series is the best replacement for his Yellowstone prequels, 1883 and 1923. After 1883, starring Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, and Sam Elliott, explored the Dutton family’s post-Civil War origins, 1923, starring Harrison Ford and Helen Mirren, chronicled the Duttons’ struggles in the early 20th century.

1883 ran for just one season, while 1923 concluded after two seasons in 2025. While Yellowstone and its upcoming sequel series, The Madison, originally titled 2024, take place in the modern era, this one Sheridan production on Paramount+ captures the essence of Yellowstone’s prequels better than any other streaming series.

Lawmen: Bass Reeves Is The Best Western Show Like 1883 & 1923

Although Sheridan did not create the 2023 Western series Lawmen: Bass Reeves, his influence as an executive producer can be felt throughout the eight-episode project. Set during the same post-Civil War American time period as 1883, the story follows the real-life figure Bass Reeves, one of the first black U.S. Deputy Marshals in United States history.

Played by Emmy nominee David Oyelowo, Bass Reeves was a historic lawman of the Old West, and not just because of the color of his skin. He was one of the most prolific lawmen in American history, having made over 3,000 arrests during his decade-spanning career in law enforcement in modern-day Oklahoma and Western Arkansas.

Lawmen: Bass Reeves is not a part of the Yellowstone universe, even though there is some overlap between its timeline and that of 1883. Lawmen mostly sticks to the facts and historical accounts of the legendary figure Bass Reeves, avoiding any type of interaction between the real-life figure and the fictional Dutton family.

Lawmen: Bass Reeves Season 2’s Future Remains Uncertain

It was previously speculated that Lawmen: Bass Reeves would expand at Paramount+ as an anthology series, with each new season focusing on a notable lawman in American history. Since it’s been nearly two years since Lawmen: Bass Reeves was released and there have not been any official updates, odds are that the series has been canceled.

Famous lawmen that season 2 could have followed include Wyatt Earp, although Netflix recently made a series about him in 2024. Others include Pat Garrett, who killed the notorious outlaw Billy the Kid, and Doc Holliday, who was portrayed by Val Kilmer in Tombstone.

Whether there will end up being a second season or not, fans of 1883 who haven’t seen Lawmen: Bass Reeves yet should absolutely give it a watch. Oyelowo is joined by an astounding supporting cast, including Dennis Quaid, Barry Pepper, Shea Whigham, and the late Donald Sutherland.