‘Yellowstone’s Spin-off Legacy
Without an official synopsis or logline, 1944‘s details can be culled by comparing it to Yellowstone and its other spin-offs. Created by Taylor Sheridan, Yellowstone was set in modern-day Montana and traces the personal and professional exploits of the Dutton Family Ranch, led by rancher-turned-mayor John Dutton (Kevin Costner). Yellowstone is located next to the Broken Rock Indian Reservation, with much of the drama revolving around the Duttons co-existing with the marginalized indigenous Americans.
1923 continues to chart the evolution of the Dutton family, as they combat widespread industrialization, a fast-changing economic landscape, bootlegging and prohibition, the stock market crash, and the Great Depression. As each family generation braves its own challenges of the day, a full picture of perseverance and resilience comes into sharper focus. 1923 was released in 2022 and has been renewed for Season 2, which is expected to air on Paramount+ on February 23, 2025.
So, What Is ‘1944’ About?
Set in 1944, the next Yellowstone spin-off will undoubtedly track the next Dutton family generation following World War II. While it’s unclear if the series will revolve around Alexandra and Spencer Dutton in their old age following their time in 1923, the show will surely introduce a new crop of characters leading the Duttons into the next mid-century generation. No casting info has been released thus far.
“Of course, we’ve got 1923, we’ve got the sequel, we’re not letting the cat out of the bag, it’s going to be called ‘1944.’ My guess is that it’ll be shooting largely in the Bitterroot Valley because it has to take place at what is Chief Joseph Ranch.”
While Chief Joseph Ranch is in Darby, Montana, the Bitterroot Valley is in Southwestern Montana. It is surrounded by the Bitterroot River, Bitterroot Range, and Sapphire Mountains. The area also extends from Missoula to the Lost Trail Pass in Idaho.
Prince continued, stating:
“We spent $75 million last year just in the Bitterroot Valley on housing in hotels, and wages and bars. We also do a little television series called ‘1923’ that was shooting in Butte. We’re going to draw up about the same amount of money up there.”
Prince insists the Montana setting has paid viewership dividends, adding:
“So this is our third year coming up to Montana. We came out two years ago when we moved out of Utah. We used to shoot at 75-80% in Utah for the first three seasons, and we’d come up to Montana to shoot the Chief Joseph Ranch. When COVID hit, Utah pulled their rebates and Taylor Sheridan said, let’s move the whole thing up to Montana. And I don’t think it’s a surprise the viewership has spiked.”
When Will ‘1944’ Be Released?
With 1944 still in development, Paramount has yet to issue an official release date. Before deciding on the roll-out, Paramount and 101 Studios must decide where to place 6666 and The Madison, especially after the reported Matthew McConaughey spin-off, 2024, never materialized. Between the lack of casting, plot, and release details, the presumption is that 1944 will take a while to hit the masses.
The last word on the matter goes to Chris McCarthy, CEO of MTV Entertainment Studios (one of many Yellowstone production companies), who stated in 2023:
“Within five years, we grew Yellowstone from a hit U.S. cable show with five million viewers into a global hit franchise with over 100 million fans around the world and multiple extensions – and, we’re just getting started.
On the heels of 1883 and 1923’s success, our new planned spinoffs, 1944 and 2024, will take audiences on a thrilling, new and unexpected journey with the complex and compelling storytelling that has become a hallmark of the franchise and has helped turn it into a worldwide cultural phenomenon — thanks to the creative mastermind of Taylor Sheridan.”
Stay tuned for more 1944 details as they come in.
