Everything We Know About ‘Yellowstone’s’ Next Prequel, ‘1944,’ as the Dutton Saga Marches Toward World War II

The ‘Yellowstone‘ universe just keeps sprawling, and its next chapter is aiming straight for the 1940s. Paramount announced the prequel spinoff titled ‘1944’ back in 2023 alongside ‘The Madison,’ a modern day follow up to the flagship series. Since then two more entries have joined the fold, but ‘1944’ remains one of the most anticipated pieces of the puzzle.

For fans still processing the ending of ‘1923,’ the idea of a new Dutton generation surviving the Second World War is a tantalizing one. The Paramount+ series is expected to continue the origin story of the Dutton family picking up after the conclusion of ‘1923.’ Here is everything currently known about where the story goes next.

What The 1944 Prequel Series Will Actually Be About

There is no official synopsis yet, but the title itself does a lot of the storytelling. Like ‘1883’ and ‘1923’ before it, ‘1944’ will center on a new generation of Duttons and presumably their life on the Montana ranch. Given how close the timeline sits to the previous series, it is conceivable that ‘1923’ characters could appear as their older selves in ‘1944.’

Much of the speculation centers on baby John Dutton II, born in the final moments of ‘1923.’ His mother Alexandra tragically died just hours after his premature birth, but his father Spencer lived for decades afterward. The series would begin just fifteen years before the birth of Kevin Costner’s John Dutton III, who was born in April 1959, meaning the story could stretch forward to show his arrival.

The wartime setting also promises a heavier historical backdrop than fans might expect. The prequel series takes place during World War II and shows how the Dutton family fights to keep the Dutton Ranch safe during a major world event. One outlet noted that if the show sticks with its current title, it is likely to zoom in on Montana’s great population decline, partly caused by the war itself.

There is also lingering mystery about lineage. The ‘1923’ finale leaves open the question of who exactly becomes the grandparent to Kevin Costner’s John Dutton III, and star Brandon Sklenar has said fans will have to wait for ‘1944’ for that confirmation.

Dutton Family Timeline and Who Could Return

The math on who survives into the 1940s is doing a lot of work for fan theories right now. Timeline clues suggest Spencer Dutton would still be alive in 1944, and Alexandra’s life after ‘1923’ could shape the next generation of the family. Younger heirs are also expected to step into leadership roles at the ranch as the story moves forward.

Each prequel has functioned as a history lesson wrapped around the Dutton saga. ‘1883’ offered a master class on Western expansion, while ‘1923’ unfolded in the shadow of World War I and the edge of the Great Depression, touching on the abuse of Native Americans at Catholic boarding schools along the way. ‘1944’ appears poised to continue that tradition with a wartime lens.

Franchise architect Taylor Sheridan has been coy about specifics but has teased the broader thematic ambitions. Sheridan described the prequels as time capsules of life in Montana functioning as a microcosm of the world as a whole, adding that the spectacle grows bigger the closer the story moves to the modern era.

Taylor Sheridan Spinoffs And What They Mean For 1944’s Future

Sheridan’s plate has never been fuller, and that is complicating the picture. Sheridan is moving from Paramount to NBCUniversal once his overall deal expires, with the new deal beginning in 2029, which still leaves time for more ‘Yellowstone’ spinoffs before then. His current Paramount television agreement runs through the end of 2028.

The franchise’s footprint keeps expanding regardless. Beyond ‘1944,’ the Dutton saga now includes CBS’s ‘Marshals’ starring Luke Grimes and ‘The Madison’ starring Michelle Pfeiffer, with more spinoffs reportedly in Sheridan’s back pocket. Sheridan told The Hollywood Reporter in a June cover story that he has several prequel ideas brewing, and that ‘1944’ was simply the first to get a green light.

There is also a corporate wrinkle worth watching. Paramount’s sale to Skydance Media brings new leadership and new priorities, and rumors of tighter per episode budgets have already made their way into the press, raising questions about whether Sheridan’s typical spending levels will hold.

Release Date Status And Where 1944 Stands Today

Patience is clearly required here. ‘1944’ was first announced in November 2023 with filming expected to take place in the Bitterroot Valley, Montana, though updates since then have been infrequent. Sheridan’s five year overall deal with NBCUniversal, signed in October 2025, sparked speculation the spinoff could be shelved altogether since Paramount owns the ‘Yellowstone’ brand.

The most recent word suggests the project is still alive. Journalist and insider Matt Webb Mitovich reported through Matt’s Inside Line that he is assured ‘1944’ is still in development at Paramount, though nothing concrete beyond that has been revealed. That same report indicated the project was aiming for a late 2026 release, though filming had not yet commenced.

For now, the franchise is keeping fans busy elsewhere. ‘Dutton Ranch,’ featuring Rip Wheeler and Beth Dutton, premiered on Paramount+ on May 15, 2026 and is airing its finale in July, buying time before ‘1944’ can take center stage. Once production does begin, the series is expected to stream exclusively on Paramount+ like the earlier prequels.

Casting news remains scarce. No confirmed cast list has been released by Paramount, though previous prequels have historically introduced major talent early in the development process. Whether Brandon Sklenar or Julia Schlaepfer’s characters factor into the new generation’s story is still anyone’s guess.

With the Skydance transition, Sheridan’s NBCUniversal jump, and a packed slate of Dutton spinoffs already airing, ‘1944’ sits in a strange holding pattern of being confirmed yet completely undated. Do you think the Dutton family’s wartime chapter will finally answer who becomes John Dutton III’s grandfather, or is Sheridan saving that reveal for something even bigger down the line.