The Yellowstone TV series, created by Taylor Sheridan and John Linson, has captured the hearts of millions with its gripping tale of family loyalty, power struggles, and breathtaking landscapes. Set against the backdrop of the modern-day American West, Yellowstone explores the Dutton family’s efforts to maintain control of their vast ranch while fending off challenges from developers, political figures, and rival ranchers. Since its debut in 2018, the show has expanded into a sprawling franchise, with prequels and spinoffs that dive deeper into the Dutton family’s legacy. For those who are just beginning to explore the world of Yellowstone, it can be a bit overwhelming to figure out the best viewing order. Do you watch the main show first, or should you start with the prequels? Here’s a guide on the most logical order to watch the series, including all the prequels, spinoffs, and main seasons, to get the full experience.
Starting with the Core: Yellowstone (2018 – Present)
The most obvious place to start is with the core series itself, Yellowstone. This is where the saga of the Dutton family begins, and it provides the foundation for understanding all the characters, conflicts, and settings that will follow in the franchise. The series kicks off in 2018, and the main plot revolves around John Dutton (Kevin Costner), the patriarch of the Dutton family, and his struggle to protect the family’s ranch, known as the Yellowstone Dutton Ranch, in Montana.
The show blends drama, political intrigue, and action with stunning visuals of the rugged Western landscape. The central conflict revolves around the ranch’s future, and throughout the series, we witness betrayals, alliances, and intense power plays. Season 1 introduces viewers to key characters like John’s children Beth (Kelly Reilly), Jamie (Wes Bentley), Kayce (Luke Grimes), and the strong-willed Rip Wheeler (Cole Hauser), who plays a crucial role throughout the series.
Season 1: The introduction of the Dutton family and their struggles to keep the ranch under their control.
Season 2: The stakes are raised as the Duttons face more intense opposition from land developers, politicians, and rival ranchers.
Season 3: The season ramps up the tension, and we begin to see deeper conflicts, including external and internal threats to the Dutton legacy.
Season 4: The aftermath of the dramatic cliffhanger at the end of season 3, with the Duttons grappling with the fallout and continuing to battle for their land.
Season 5: New dynamics emerge as John Dutton tries to make strategic moves to ensure the family’s future while facing greater opposition from outside forces.
The central series runs in a linear fashion, so there’s no need to jump between seasons. It’s important to watch in order as each season builds on the previous one, and the complex relationships between characters evolve over time.
Introducing the Prequels: 1883 (2021)
While Yellowstone is set in the present day, the Yellowstone universe is far more expansive than just the Dutton family’s current struggles. To get a deeper understanding of the Dutton legacy and how the family’s ranch came to be, it’s essential to watch the prequel series, 1883. This series delves into the origins of the Dutton family and their journey to establish the Yellowstone Dutton Ranch.
1883 is a historical drama that follows James Dutton (Tim McGraw) and his family as they embark on a perilous journey westward, searching for a better life in Montana. The series introduces a new cast of characters, including a young Elsa Dutton (Isabel May), whose story forms the emotional core of the series. Set in the late 19th century, 1883 captures the grit and hardship of the American frontier and paints a vivid picture of what life was like for early pioneers and settlers.
This series serves as a prequel to Yellowstone, explaining the origins of the Dutton family’s land and providing important backstory for the family’s later struggles. Watching 1883 first allows you to gain context for the Duttons’ fight for their land in Yellowstone and understand the significance of the ranch that plays such a pivotal role in the modern series.
Key Points About 1883:
Release Date: Premiered in December 2021
Time Period: Set in the late 1800s, chronicling the Dutton family’s journey from Texas to Montana.
Main Cast: Tim McGraw as James Dutton, Faith Hill as Margaret Dutton, Isabel May as Elsa Dutton.
Watch 1883 before Yellowstone if you want to understand the Dutton family’s roots and how their empire began.
Continuing with 1923 (2022)
After watching 1883, the next logical step is to move on to 1923, another prequel in the Yellowstone franchise. Set 40 years after the events of 1883, 1923 focuses on the Dutton family during a time of economic hardship, Prohibition, and the early days of the Great Depression. The series stars Harrison Ford and Helen Mirren as Jacob and Cara Dutton, two prominent members of the family.
1923 picks up the story of the Duttons after the death of James Dutton (Tim McGraw’s character), and it explores the challenges the family faces as they work to preserve their ranch in a rapidly changing world. The show introduces new characters and brings us closer to the events that shape the family’s future in Yellowstone. Watching 1923 after 1883 provides further insight into how the Duttons adapted to the evolving challenges of the 20th century.
Key Points About 1923:
Release Date: Premiered in December 2022
Time Period: Set in the early 20th century, dealing with the aftermath of the Dutton family’s expansion and challenges faced by future generations.
Main Cast: Harrison Ford as Jacob Dutton, Helen Mirren as Cara Dutton, and a host of new characters pivotal to the family’s survival.
Watch 1923 after 1883 and before Yellowstone to understand the progression of the Dutton family across generations.
1883: The Bass Reeves Story (2024)
1883: The Bass Reeves Story is a spinoff that takes place within the same timeline as 1883, but focuses on the legendary lawman Bass Reeves. Reeves, portrayed by David Oyelowo, is one of the first Black U.S. Marshals in the American West and played a crucial role in law enforcement during the frontier days. The series explores his journey and the impact he had on the American frontier, particularly during the time of the Dutton family’s westward expansion.
Although it is a spinoff, 1883: The Bass Reeves Story is expected to add more depth to the world of Yellowstone by telling a completely different, yet historically important, story. While it may not directly impact the main Dutton saga, it is worth watching if you’re interested in the broader historical context and want to understand the diverse range of characters that helped shape the American West.
Key Points About 1883: The Bass Reeves Story:
Release Date: Expected in 2024
Focus: The life and legacy of Bass Reeves, a famous African American lawman in the Old West.
Main Cast: David Oyelowo as Bass Reeves.
Watch this series if you’re a fan of historical figures and want to expand your knowledge of the Old West beyond the Duttons.
Spinoff Series: 1923 (2023) and 1883: The Bass Reeves Story
Besides the core series and prequels, the Yellowstone franchise also includes other spinoff series. These additional series are not directly related to the Duttons but add depth and context to the overall universe. They include stories about other powerful figures in the American frontier and their connections to the broader themes of power, survival, and legacy.
Conclusion
When deciding how to watch the Yellowstone franchise, the most logical viewing order is to start with the core Yellowstone series to understand the modern-day conflicts of the Dutton family. Then, go back in time with 1883 and 1923 to see how the family’s legacy was built. After that, you can explore other spinoffs like 1883: The Bass Reeves Story and further immerse yourself in the complex world of the Duttons and the American West.
By following this viewing order, you’ll be able to experience the full saga of the Dutton family, their struggles, and the rich historical backdrop of the American frontier that makes Yellowstone so captivating.
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