The Dutton family’s wild ride across generations has hooked us with its mix of gritty drama and stunning Montana vistas. If you’re itching to dive into the ‘Yellowstone’ universe, watching it in order—starting with the origins and moving to the present—brings the whole story to life. From dusty trails in the 1800s to modern-day ranch battles, this franchise spans decades, blending prequels and spin-offs into one big tale. Stick with me, and I’ll break down how to follow it all chronologically, series by series.
Taylor Sheridan kicked things off with ‘Yellowstone,’ but he didn’t stop there—he’s built a sprawling world that jumps through time. It’s not just about the main show anymore; there are spin-offs galore, each adding a new layer to the Dutton legacy. We’re talking historical treks, Prohibition struggles, and even a detour to a Texas ranch. Let’s unpack the lineup and see how it all fits together.
How Many Yellowstone Series Are There?
Right now, the ‘Yellowstone’ universe has eight shows either released or in active development, all centered on the Duttons or their world, with two already airing in 2026 and a third having premiered in March. It started with the flagship series, then branched into prequels and side stories that dig into different eras and places. Add in ‘Mayor of Kingstown,’ which shares Sheridan’s creative DNA, and you’ve got six total if you stretch the definition a bit. Each one’s got its own flavor, from pioneer hardships to modern power plays.
The count is growing faster than most fans anticipated. Three new entries have either premiered or launched their full first seasons in 2026 alone, with more still in development. Here’s the release rundown by premiere date.
- ‘Yellowstone’ – June 20, 2018
- ‘1883’ – December 19, 2021
- ‘1923’ – December 18, 2022
- ‘Marshals’ – March 1, 2026 (CBS / Paramount+)
- ‘The Madison’ – March 14, 2026 (Paramount+)
- ‘Dutton Ranch’ – May 15, 2026 (Paramount+ / Paramount Network)
- ‘6666’ – No confirmed date; development status uncertain
- ‘1944’ – Targeting late 2026; no production start confirmed
Yellowstone Series in Chronological Order
To get the full Dutton story, we’re going back to the beginning and moving forward through time. Chronological order starts with their roots in the late 1800s, winds through the 20th century, and lands in today’s ranch wars. It’s a trek worth taking, and I’ll guide you through each show.
1. 1883
‘1883’ brings us the Duttons’ origin story. This one-season run follows James and Margaret Dutton, played by Tim McGraw and Faith Hill, as they haul their family across the plains to Montana. It’s a brutal trip—think bandits, starvation, and sheer grit—ending with them staking their claim on what becomes the Yellowstone Ranch. Sam Elliott’s tough-as-nails Shea Brennan adds muscle to the cast.
This is ground zero for the Dutton legacy, kicking off in 1883. It’s the earliest chapter, setting up everything that follows. No seasons after this one—it’s a tight, 10-episode tale that wraps up their pioneer days and plants the ranch’s roots.
2. 1923
‘1923’ jumps ahead to the Duttons weathering tough times in the early 20th century. Harrison Ford and Helen Mirren star as Jacob and Cara Dutton, running the ranch through drought, Prohibition, and the Great Depression’s early rumbles. Their nephew Spencer, off hunting in Africa, ties in a wild subplot.
In the timeline, this lands 40 years after ‘1883,’ starting in 1923. The two-season run is now complete, with the finale airing on April 6, 2025 on Paramount+. Season 2, which premiered February 23, 2025, has been confirmed as the series’ final chapter, bridging the Dutton story toward the era ‘1944’ will explore.
3. 1944
1944’ takes us to the Dutton family during the thick of World War II. Details remain tightly under wraps, with no cast or production schedule officially announced as of this writing. Brandon Sklenar, who played Spencer Dutton in ‘1923,’ has publicly expressed interest in returning, but no casting has been confirmed.
In the timeline, this sits about 20 years after ‘1923.’ Reports from Matt’s Inside Line suggest the series is targeting a late 2026 premiere, though that date has not been confirmed by Paramount. Given that Taylor Sheridan’s TV deal with Paramount runs through 2028, the project remains viable, but its path to screens is less certain than previously reported.
4. Yellowstone
‘Yellowstone’ is the heart of it all, set in the here and now. Kevin Costner leads as John Dutton, fighting to keep the ranch against developers, tribal disputes, and his own kids’ drama—Beth, Kayce, and Jamie, played by Kelly Reilly, Luke Grimes, and Wes Bentley. It’s five seasons deep, with the finale airing December 15, 2024, wrapping up the modern saga.
Chronologically, this is the latest Dutton chapter, starting in 2018 and running through 2024 across its five seasons. Each season moves the clock forward a bit, ending with John’s death and the ranch’s fate in flux. It’s the present-day payoff of all that history.
4.5. Marshals
‘Marshals,’ formerly titled ‘Y: Marshals,’ picks up where ‘Yellowstone’ left off for Kayce Dutton. Luke Grimes reprises the role as Kayce transitions from ranch life to join an elite unit of U.S. Marshals in Montana, combining his Navy SEAL training and cowboy instincts. Gil Birmingham and Mo Brings Plenty also return in their original roles, while Kelsey Asbille’s Monica is conspicuously absent from the cast.
Chronologically, this is set directly after the events of ‘Yellowstone’ Season 5, making it one of the earliest present-day sequels in the franchise. The 13-episode first season premiered on March 1, 2026 at 8 p.m. on CBS before streaming on Paramount+, and a second season has already been greenlit. Unlike the Sheridan-written flagship series, ‘Marshals’ operates as a network procedural with a traditional writers room, with Spencer Hudnut serving as showrunner.
5. 6666
‘6666’ shifts gears to Texas, focusing on the legendary Four Sixes Ranch that Sheridan co-owns. Whether Jefferson White’s Jimmy Hurdstrom will star remains unconfirmed, and as of mid-2026, no cast, production schedule, or firm premiere window has been announced. The project has received no meaningful official update since 2022, when it was moved from Paramount+ to the Paramount Network.
The question of whether ‘6666’ moves forward at all has grown more pointed since Sheridan announced in late 2025 that he will leave Paramount for a five-year deal with NBCUniversal beginning in 2029. While Paramount retains the rights to all Sheridan-created IP, his attention is increasingly divided, and producing partner David Glasser’s 101 Studios began fulfilling its own NBCUniversal obligations in early 2026. Sheridan himself told The Hollywood Reporter that the Four Sixes requires “a unique level of special care” given that it is a working ranch with real families, but no timeline has been offered.
6. The Madison
‘The Madison’ follows the Clyburn family, not the Duttons. Michelle Pfeiffer stars as matriarch Stacy Clyburn, a New Yorker who brings her family to Montana’s Madison River Valley after a tragedy, and Kurt Russell co-stars as Preston Clyburn alongside Patrick J. Adams, Matthew Fox, Beau Garrett, Elle Chapman, and Amiah Miller. Paramount+ describes it as Sheridan’s “most intimate work to date,” and the studio has been explicit that it is not a ‘Yellowstone’ spin-off, despite sharing Sheridan’s creative fingerprints.
The six-episode first season premiered on March 14, 2026 on Paramount+, with the second three-episode drop following on March 21. Season 2, which wrapped principal photography in December 2025, is expected later in 2026. No confirmed Dutton crossover has been announced
7. Dutton Ranch
‘Dutton Ranch’ is the direct sequel that ‘Yellowstone’ fans were waiting for. Kelly Reilly and Cole Hauser return as Beth Dutton and Rip Wheeler, now building a new life on a 7,000-acre ranch in South Texas after the events of the ‘Yellowstone’ finale. Finn Little reprises his role as their adopted son Carter, while Oscar nominees Ed Harris and Annette Bening join the cast as a wry local veterinarian and the formidable head of a rival Texas operation, respectively.
