The final episodes of “Yellowstone” are now slated to air in November 2024.
In addition, Paramount has greenlit two new spinoff series — “1944” and a contemporary series currently titled “2024.” As with the flagship show, the new shows are produced by MTV Entertainment Studios and 101 Studios.
It was announced in May that Taylor Sheridan’s megahit Paramount Network series “Yellowstone” would be ending with its fifth season. Paramount had announced prior to that the fifth season would be split into two parts. The first eight episodes aired from November 2022-January 2023. The show has been unable to return to production since due to the writers’ strike and then the SAG-AFTRA strike. The writers’ strike was resolved in September, while the actors’ strike is ongoing.
“Within five years, we grew ‘Yellowstone’ from a hit U.S. cable show with five 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 & 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.”
It was reported in December that “Yellowstone” star Kevin Costner would be exiting the series in Season 5, reportedly over his desire to focus on the epic two-part Western feature “Horizon,” which would have seriously impacted his availability to film “Yellowstone.” The first part of the film is scheduled to be released in June 2024, with part two following in August.
“Yellowstone,” which follows the Dutton family and their sprawling cattle ranch in Montana, has proven to be one of the most popular shows on television. The premiere of the first half of Season 5 pulled in a staggering 17 million viewers.
“1944” is the latest in a string of “Yellowstone” prequels that Sheridan has created for Paramount under his expansive overall deal. He has previously launched both “1883” and “1923” on Paramount+, with each series exploring the lives of the Duttons in the titular year.
No plot details are available for “2024,” other than it is expected to begin airing following the conclusion of “Yellowstone.” According to an individual with knowledge of the series, It will feature new cast members and locations with some crossover characters as well. With the announcement the flagship show would be ending with Season 5, Paramount had already announced the new contemporary series set in the “Yellowstone” world that was originally meant to begin airing in December of this year. It was also previously reported that Matthew McConaughey was in talks to star in the series.
Sheridan also has the shows “Mayor of Kingstown,” “Tulsa King,” “Special Ops: Lioness,” “Land Man” and “Lawmen: Bass Reeves” at Paramount+, with several more in development.
“Yellowstone” was co-created by Sheridan and John Linson. Executive producers include John Linson, Art Linson, Sheridan, Costner, Glasser, Bob Yari, Stephen Kay, and Christina Voros. Both “Yellowstone” and the new sequel are produced by MTV Entertainment Studios and 101 Studios.
“The global success of ‘Yellowstone’ continues to thrill and excite us at 101 Studios and Bosque Ranch. 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,” said David Glasser, CEO of 101 Studios.
