When Yellowstone premiered in 2018, audiences were immediately captivated. Now, five seasons in, the Paramount show starring Kevin
Costner as John Dutton and Kelly Reilly as Beth Dutton is more popular than ever. It’s so popular, in fact, that it has spawned nearly half a
dozen separate spin-offs, all created (or co-created) by Taylor Sheridan.
1944 is officially in the works, and will follow the Yellowstone spin-offs that have already released. The first one, 1883, was a Dutton family prequel series starring Tim McGraw and Faith Hill. The second, 1923, premiered in 2022 and stars Helen Mirren and Harrison Ford as Dutton family members of the next generation. 1923 is set to return for Season 2.
Multiple other spin-offs are in the works. Sheridan has been working on 6666, which will be set in the present day at Four Sixes Ranch in Texas, although he has said that series is currently on hold. Matthew McConaughey has reportedly been in talks to star in a Yellowstone spin-off, which is now expected to be the contemporary series 2024. Additionally, Lawmen: Bass Reeves, which was once considered an 1883 spin-off but will now launch a separate new anthology series for Sheridan, is focused on the real-life story of Bass Reeves, the first Black Deputy U.S. Marshal (played by David Oyelowo).
Here is what we know so far about 1944, the latest prequel spin-off in the Yellowstone franchise. We’ll try to answer your questions about when 1944 will premiere, who may be in the series, and where you will be able to watch it once released.
1944 latest news
Paramount announced on Nov. 2 that it has greenlit the Yellowstone spin-off 1944, according to Variety. The news came along with the announcement of another spin-off, 2024, which is described as a contemporary series. Both 1944 and 2024 will be produced by MTV Entertainment Studios and 101 Studios.
On the same day, Variety reported that the last episodes of Yellowstone are set to release in November 2024. Head here for everything we know about what’s next for the flagship series.
What will 1944 be about?
Neither Sheridan or Paramount has released details about the Yellowstone spin-off 1944. In February 2023, Montana newspaper Ravelli Republic reported that Tom Prince, an executive at 101 Studios, revealed information about the series at a town hall event in Hamilton, Montana. He said that 1944 would be a follow-up to the series 1923, which stars Harrison Ford and Helen Mirren as Jacob and Cara Dutton, respectively.
“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. Chief Joseph Ranch is in Darby, Montana, and serves as the Dutton family ranch in the main Yellowstone
series.
Based on Prince’s reveal that 1944 will follow 1923 and be filmed on the ranch in Bitterroot Valley, it’s safe to assume it will be about another branch in the Dutton family tree. It’s possible the storyline will touch on America’s struggles during the end of World War II. The global conflict affected the country in many ways, including the fact that women had to take on roles previously held by men while they were at war. This could mean that the Yellowstone Dutton Ranch could be run by the matriarch of the family.
1944 release date prediction
Because 1944 is expected to be a follow-up to 1923, Yellowstone fans might need to wait until the Harrison Ford-led series ends to see the spin-off. The second season of 1923 doesn’t even have a release date yet, so the earliest we could see 1944 is likely the end of 2024 — but we’re expecting it to be even later, given that the final episodes of Yellowstone are set to premiere in November 2024.
Who will be in 1944?
No official cast announcements have been made yet for 1944. In February 2023, The Hollywood Reporter confirmed that Matthew McConaughey was in talks to star in a new Yellowstone spin-off, but that show is assumed to be the sequel series now known as 2024.
Where can I watch 1944?
As a Paramount Network show, 1944 will probably be available on Paramount+, just like the other Yellowstone spin-offs (although Yellowstone streams on Peacock). It may also be available on cable, depending on how the network decides to air it.
