Yellowstone Fans Call for Spencer Dutton’s Return in Confirmed 1944 Spinoff Before Taylor Sheridan’s Exit
With Yellowstone officially wrapped and creator Taylor Sheridan preparing to leave Paramount for a billion-dollar deal with NBCUniversal, fans are demanding closure on one major loose end: the long-rumored 1944 spinoff centered on 1923 hero Spencer Dutton.
Sheridan’s Departure Leaves One Story Unfinished
Sheridan’s move to NBCUniversal — a deal that allows him to begin film projects in 2026 and television work in 2029 — marks the end of an era for the Yellowstone universe at Paramount. His creative empire includes Tulsa King, Landman, Mayor of Kingstown, and Special Ops: Lioness. But all roads lead back to Yellowstone, the hit that launched the modern western renaissance.
With three new series already announced — Y: Marshals (focused on Kayce Dutton), The Dutton Ranch (following Beth Dutton and Rip Wheeler), and The Madison — one prequel still remains unconfirmed: 1944, the next chapter in the Dutton family saga.
And fans agree it can’t happen without Spencer Dutton.
Why Spencer Dutton’s Story Deserves a Sequel
1923 captured viewers with its sweeping romance and raw frontier survival, anchored by Brandon Sklenar’s commanding performance as Spencer Dutton and Julia Schlaepfer as his ill-fated wife, Alexandra of Sussex.
By the end of 1923, Spencer had survived years of war and wilderness, returning to Montana to take over the Yellowstone Dutton Ranch after his uncle Jacob (Harrison Ford). The finale confirmed that Spencer lived until 1969, when he was reunited with Alexandra “in Heaven.”
That timeline makes him alive and active in 1944 — the perfect setting for the next prequel, potentially exploring the Duttons’ struggles during World War II and the changing American West.
The Push to Bring Brandon Sklenar Back
Fans have been vocal about wanting Brandon Sklenar back to reprise his breakout role. Sklenar himself has expressed interest, even pitching an idea with Schlaepfer that would see Spencer “haunted” by the ghost of Alexandra — a poetic continuation of 1923’s tragic love story.
Sheridan has recast characters before (notably Josh Lucas as young John Dutton III), but viewers argue that Sklenar’s rugged intensity and emotional depth make him irreplaceable. His return would also mirror Yellowstone’s tradition of legacy storytelling, with multiple generations of Duttons carrying on the family’s turbulent legacy.
A Perfect Farewell Project for Sheridan
If 1944 goes ahead before Sheridan’s official exit, it could serve as his final love letter to the Yellowstone universe he built. The series would bridge the gap between 1923 and modern Yellowstone, exploring how the Duttons survived war, modernization, and the creeping threat of losing their land.
As one fan wrote on social media:
“Spencer Dutton is the heart of 1923. If we don’t get 1944 before Sheridan leaves, it’ll feel like unfinished business.”
The Future of the Dutton Legacy
With Y: Marshals, The Dutton Ranch, and The Madison already on Paramount’s 2026 slate, the universe is expanding faster than ever. But 1944 — with its themes of loss, legacy, and love beyond death — could be the emotional linchpin that ties the past to the present.
Whether Sheridan confirms it before his exit or leaves it as parting inspiration, fans agree on one thing: the Dutton story isn’t complete without Spencer.