The Yellowstone universe continues to evolve with the quiet launch of “Rio Palo,” a gritty new spinoff from creator Taylor Sheridan. Filming has officially begun in Texas, signaling the start of what could be one of the franchise’s most daring and emotionally charged stories to date.

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A New Frontier for the Yellowstone Saga

Unlike the sprawling ranch dramas of Yellowstone and 1883, Rio Palo dives into unfamiliar territory — a Western prison drama set against the lawless backdrop of the American frontier. The title itself, meaning “stick river” in Spanish, evokes the symbolic use of rivers as markers of destiny and survival — a recurring theme throughout Sheridan’s storytelling universe.

Early descriptions suggest that Rio Palo will explore moral corruption, loyalty, and redemption within a brutal prison system, blending the dusty realism of Sheridan’s Westerns with the psychological intensity of a confinement narrative.

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Filming Locations and Production Details

Production is underway in Ferris, Texas, just south of Dallas, where a sprawling ranch and mansion are serving as central locations. According to local officials, downtown Ferris and nearby landscapes — including Cleburne, Weatherford, Rio Vista, and Mineral Wells — will feature prominently in the show’s visuals.

The four-month filming schedule will take advantage of Texas’s rugged topography, with sweeping aerial shots, small-town sequences, and several key outdoor set pieces already in progress.

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Casting and Character Insights

Casting remains largely secretive, but Juan Pablo Raba has been confirmed as part of the ensemble, with the production hiring doubles for his role. Meanwhile, speculation continues to swirl around Matthew McConaughey, whose rumored involvement in the Yellowstone universe now seems more likely than ever, given both the Texas setting and Sheridan’s previous comments about working with the actor.

Casting calls hint at a range of intriguing characters — inmates with family ties, a young man named Dalton, and scenes involving children visiting imprisoned relatives. These details point to a story rich in human connection amid confinement and survival.

There are also whispers of Isabel May potentially reprising her role as Elsa Dutton from 1883 in flashbacks, deepening the emotional bridge between generations of Sheridan’s universe.

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Story and Tone

While rooted in Western tradition, Rio Palo appears to weave together multiple genres — frontier drama, prison thriller, and emotional family saga. Scenes involving rodeo competitions, medical emergencies, and tense bar confrontations promise a show filled with both action and moral reckoning.

Sheridan’s trademark style — combining stark violence with haunting beauty — will likely define Rio Palo’s tone, creating another deeply human tale about justice and survival in a harsh land.

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Release Timeline and Franchise Impact

If production stays on schedule, Rio Palo is expected to premiere on Paramount+ in late 2026, following Sheridan’s usual post-production rhythm. The series joins an ever-growing slate that includes 1923, 6666, and The Madison, further expanding the mythology that began with the Duttons.

With its prison-western hybrid concept, Rio Palo promises to offer something both familiar and radically new — a tale where the wilderness isn’t just a landscape, but a state of mind.