‘Yellowstone’ Prequel Series ‘1944’ Is Officially In Development: Everything Fans Need to Know
Few details have been released but we know it’s happening.
Yellowstone fans are mourning the end of an era with the series finale in sight, but now there’s a silver lining.
In addition to 1923 being renewed for a second season, Taylor Sheridan’s beloved Dutton dynasty has been greenlit for yet another prequel, with a fourth on the agenda shortly thereafter.
“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,” Showtime and MTV Entertainment Studios CEO Chris McCarthy said in a statement.
Keep reading to learn everything we know about the new Yellowstone prequel.
Who will be in 1944 and where will the plotline lead?
While the details of 1944 remain unclear, there are a few routes it could take. Falling just 21 years after 1923, 1944 could very well showcase Spencer and Alexandra Dutton (Brendan Sklenar and Julia Schaepfer) later in life. Alternatively, the show could highlight an entire new generation of Duttons. As for events that could inspire the direction of the show, given the timing, there’s a good chance World War II will play a role.
When will 1944 premiere?
The details of the 1944 release date aren’t yet solidified. Given the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes, we know that the second season of 1923 probably won’t return until early 2025, which means 1944 likely won’t either. We’re expecting the series to air on Paramount+ along with the other Yellowstone spinoffs.
Where Is 1944 Filming?
As ever, 1944 will film in Montana at the site of the Yellowstone Ranch. “My guess is that it’ll be shooting largely in the Bitterroot Valley because it has to take place at what is Chief Joseph Ranch,” Prince said of the prequel series’ filming plans. (Now, if those WWII theories are correct, we could see some amazing on-location shoots in Europe as well.)
The Cast
No official casting announcements have been made, but recent headlines suggest that, like the Harrison Ford-led 1923, Paramount could be searching for a big-name star to front 1944. It’s been confirmed that Matthew McConaughey will be starring in a new Yellowstone sequel series that will follow the final episodes of Yellowstone Season 5. But details are under wraps as to what that actually entails.
Jack Dutton (Darren Mann) – John Dutton Sr.’s son and great-nephew to Jacob Dutton. Jack is dedicated to the upkeep of the Dutton family ranch, and if he’s in 1944, he’ll likely be running the ancestral seat.
Elizabeth Strafford Dutton (Michelle Randolph) – Jack Dutton’s feisty betrothed.
John Dutton II – The son of Jack and Elizabeth Dutton, and the father of Kevin Costner’s John Dutton III. While we haven’t seen his birth yet in 1923, he should be a young man during the events of 1944.
Spencer Dutton (Brandon Sklenar) – the younger brother of John Dutton. A World War I veteran, an aged-up Spencer could speak to the horrors of war in 1944.
Alexandra (Julia Schlaepfer) – Spencer Dutton’s betrothed.
As always, as soon as we have more details, we’ll share them.
