Yellowstone’s 1944 Prequel: Everything We Know About the Delays, Storyline, and What Comes Next
The Yellowstone universe is expanding again — slowly. While fans eagerly await Taylor Sheridan’s next big saga, the long-anticipated 1944 prequel remains shrouded in mystery and delay. Here’s a breakdown of everything we know about the upcoming series, its timeline, and what’s holding it back.
A Legacy in Limbo
Since premiering in 2018, Yellowstone has grown from a gritty neo-Western drama into a sprawling television empire. With the original series ending in 2024 and prequels like 1883 and 1923 already released, fans expected 1944 to follow swiftly.
However, the series — first teased in 2023 — has yet to move into production. It joins the 6666 spinoff as one of the few Yellowstone projects still in limbo.
After 1923 wrapped in April 2025, Variety reported that the creative focus had officially shifted to 1944. But Sheridan, who remains one of TV’s busiest creators, hasn’t offered new updates since.
When Will ‘1944’ Premiere?
While 1944 has been greenlit, it’s not expected to go into full production until after The Madison, another Sheridan-created series, premieres on Paramount+ in 2025.
Once The Madison concludes its debut run, Sheridan is expected to turn his attention back to Yellowstone’s next chapter.
There’s also the matter of Sheridan’s studio contracts: his lucrative deal with Paramount runs through 2028, after which he will begin a new five-year partnership with NBCUniversal in 2029. That means 1944 is likely to air before 2028, but not imminently.
What Will the Prequel Be About?
As the title suggests, 1944 is expected to follow the Dutton family during World War II, roughly 20 years after the events of 1923.
With the Dutton ranch enduring the Great Depression and the rise of global conflict, the series will likely explore how war reshapes both the land and the family legacy.
Fans have speculated that the show could center on Spencer Dutton’s son, born at the end of 1923, who would be old enough to fight in World War II. The story may also parallel the ranch’s struggle for survival at home while its next generation fights overseas.
Who Could Return?
No official cast announcements have been made, but Brandon Sklenar, who played Spencer Dutton in 1923, has expressed a strong interest in returning — possibly as an older version of his character.
“Give me some gout, a little hunch, and some salt and pepper,” Sklenar joked to The Hollywood Reporter in April 2025. “If it comes around, I’d love to do it. I definitely don’t want to say goodbye to Spencer.”
He also hinted that 1944 might finally clarify the Dutton family tree, confirming once and for all whether Spencer is the grandfather of Yellowstone’s John Dutton III (Kevin Costner’s character).
Why the Delay?
The slowdown stems largely from Sheridan’s packed creative schedule. In addition to his Yellowstone projects, he is developing multiple Paramount+ dramas — including Lawmen: Bass Reeves, Land Man, and The Madison.
Director Christina Voros explained Sheridan’s creative rhythm in a 2024 interview:
“We don’t know until we get the scripts what the story is. And when the time to tell the story is upon us, there will be a script in my inbox.”
Simply put: Sheridan moves when he’s ready. His hands-on approach to writing, producing, and sometimes directing every project means each new Yellowstone chapter arrives on its own schedule — not the network’s.
What About the 6666 Spinoff?
Fans waiting for 6666 — the Texas-set spinoff following Jimmy Hurdstrom (Jefferson White) at the legendary Four Sixes Ranch — are in the same boat.
Originally planned for Paramount+, it was later shifted to Paramount Network but has since gone quiet. Sheridan reportedly paused production indefinitely, leaving fans to wonder if 6666 will ever see the light of day.
The Future of the Dutton Dynasty
While 1944 may still be on hold, Sheridan has made it clear the Dutton story isn’t over. Each prequel has filled in more of the family’s turbulent history — from 1883’s frontier tragedy to 1923’s postwar struggle.
1944 promises to bridge the gap between the old West and the modern Dutton empire we first met in Yellowstone. And if Sheridan’s track record is any indication, the wait — however long — will be worth it.