The current iteration of Yellowstone has a timeline for its final episodes — but two more spinoffs of the Paramount Network hit are in the offing.
The second half of Yellowstone’s fifth season, which will close the book on the current Dutton family saga, is set to premiere in November 2024. The final episodes had been slated for late this year, but the writers and actors strikes meant an end to production.
The two spinoffs in the works are a present-day story with the working title of 2024 and another prequel, 1944, that will follow in the footsteps of 1883 and 1923. As with the previous series, the two spinoffs will be produced by MTV Entertainment Studios and 101 Studios.
“Within five years, we grew Yellowstone from a hit U.S. cable show with 5 million viewers into a global hit franchise with over 100 million fans around the world and multiple extensions — and we’re just getting started,” said Chris McCarthy, president and CEO of Showtime and MTV Entertainment Studios. “On the heels of 1883 and 1923’s success, our new planned spinoffs, 1944 and 2024, will take audiences on a thrilling, new and unexpected journey with the complex and compelling storytelling that has become a hallmark of the franchise and has helped turn it into a worldwide cultural phenomenon thanks to the creative mastermind of Taylor Sheridan.”
The 2024 spinoff will, as its working title implies, be set in the present and air after the main series finishes. It’s expected to continue exploring the Dutton family dynasty with new characters and locations, as well as some existing characters. Details on 1944 are scarce at the moment.
Sheridan, who co-created Yellowstone with John Linson and is the showrunner for the franchise, told The Hollywood Reporter in a June cover story that he had several prequel ideas brewing, though 1944 is the first to get a green light.
As for the main series, the final episodes will likely feature less of series lead Kevin Costner, who according to Sheridan asked to work less on the final episode as the actor and director readies his own Western saga, Horizon, for theatrical release next year. Costner, for his part, said during a divorce proceeding that Paramount “walked away” from negotiations. “We tried to negotiate, they offered me less money than previous seasons [and] there were issues with the creative,” he said.
“The global success of Yellowstone continues to thrill and excite us at 101 Studios and Bosque Ranch,” said 101 Studios CEO David Glasser. “This has been such an exhilarating ride with our partners at MTV Entertainment Studios and we can’t wait to bring 1944 and 2024 to audiences everywhere.”
Sheridan and John Linson executive produce Yellowstone with Art Linson, Costner, Glasser, Bob Yari, Stephen Kay and Christina Voros.
