Summary
Taylor Sheridan’s critically-acclaimed Western dramaYellowstoneis one of the most popular prestige dramas of the last decade, but the spinoffs that it spawned are even better in some ways. Beginning in 2018,Yellowstonereintroduced the Western drama to modern audiences viathe Dutton family, which is led by a fifth-generation rancher who fights to keep his massive ranch out of the hands of land developers, the nearby Native American tribes, and occasionally the state government. The prequel series1883and1923follow earlier generations of the Dutton family as they fight for survival and success in the American West.
Yellowstonewill wrap up with season 5, part 2in November 2024, and after that the franchise’s attention will shift towards its various spinoffs and sequel series. WhileYellowstonemay have kicked off the story of the Duttons, it quickly became regarded as theworst show in its own franchiseto some, as the two prequel series were almost universally acclaimed. While different franchise fans may rank the three series differently, it’s clear that1883and1923outshine the original series in at least a few ways.
Taylor Sheridan’s 7-Season Yellowstone Plan Is Happening, Just Not The Way Kevin Costner Expected
Although Yellowstone is set to conclude after its highly-anticipated season 5, part 2, exiting star Kevin Costner had a very different plan in mind.
101883 And 1923 Have Tighter, More Dramatic Plots
The prequels benefit from more focused storylines
The scope ofYellowstoneis obviously far different from its prequels; there are many more separate character groups and plotlines that need to be wound into the overarching narrative. As a result,Yellowstonecan occasionally feel somewhat meanderingas the characters are immersed in the rancher life that the show lauds from the mountains of Montana. In lieu of continuing with a particularly intriguing story, time will be spent with characters as they learn the ins-and-outs of reining and slide stops, for example.
1883and1923are streaming on Paramount Plus, while the first 4.5 seasons ofYellowstonecan be found on Peacock.
That simply isn’t the case with1883and1923. Both shows operate on a much tighter timeline thanYellowstonefrom a TV perspective, as1883was only one season and1923will stop after two. Because of that urgency,the stories that unfold are much more focused and precise. There aren’t different groups to check in on and perspectives to explore, there is only the central conflict that the Dutton family endures. That makes for higher levels of drama that build quickly and sustain.
91883 Takes A Grittier Approach To Yellowstone
The Old West prequel is raw, dark, and violent
1883benefits in more ways than one from its period setting, but perhaps the most important ishow much darker and grittier it is thanYellowstone. The Sam Elliott-led drama series pulls no punches when it comes to the perils of traveling across the American Old West, and every snake bite, sickness, and Native American arrow is depicted as dangerous, if not deadly. Death is a traveling companion of the Duttons of1883, as much a part of the cast as Elsa Dutton or Shea Brennan.
It achieves a level of darkness that evenYellowstonenever quite realizes (although it certainly has its low points), all the way to its conclusion.1883never lets its foot off the gas, and ultimately ends in unthinkable tragedy. As much as the humor of the ranchers or the mean comments of Beth are appreciated inYellowstone,1883manages to exist as a different beast entirely when it comes to grittiness.
81883 And 1923 Are More Authentically Western As Period Dramas
The prequels capture many beloved Western elements that Yellowstone misses
Yellowstonecertainly classifies as a Western drama with its sweeping vistas and cowboy action, but given its contemporary setting, it misses many of the classic elements that people love about Westerns.Yellowstone’s boardroom battles and barroom brawls are exciting, but they don’t necessarily scratch the itch for those who love Westerns for the six-gun shootouts and saloon showdowns. More than almost any other genre,Westerns have an established and beloved set of tropes that people enjoy, and whileYellowstonebrings some of them to the modern era, it isn’t quite the same.
1883in particular hits many of the marks thatYellowstonemissesgiven its setting in the Old West. The wagon train action, the battles against Native American warriors, and the varied Western landscapes are all as authentically Western as possible.1923moves the timeline up a bit but still hits many of the familiar tropes, and comes across as far more authentically Western thanYellowstone.
71923’s Star Power Is Bigger Than Yellowstone’s
Harrison Ford and Helen Mirren turn in career-highlight performances
There’s no question that Kevin Costner’s involvement inYellowstoneis part of what made it initially popular. Cole Hauser, Luke Grimes, Kelly Reilly and Wes Bentley are all talented and had some level of recognition prior toYellowstone, butthe show was framed and marketed around the Academy Award-winnerin its earliest stages.1923took the concept and turned it up to 11 by placing two of the most talented and well-known actors of the last 50 years in its lead roles.
Harrison Ford and Helen Mirren each match Kevin Costner’s star power on their own, but putting them in the middle of the action as a couple blowsYellowstoneout of the water when it comes to star power and appeal. Both are at their best in1923, and have received widespread praise for their work on the series, Helen Mirren in particular. While each of theYellowstoneseries has attracted big names and guest stars,1923takes the cake with its powerful leading pair.
61923 Provides The Strongest Native American Storyline
The story of Aminah Nieves' Teonna Rainwater is engrossing
Yellowstonehas an intriguing side story from the perspective of Thomas Rainwater, the chairman of the Broken Rock Reservation, which is right next to the Duttons' Yellowstone ranch. While Rainwater is an occasional antagonist to John Dutton, as he also desires the land on which the Yellowstone ranch sits, he is justified in his ambitions as it was his ancestors who originally lived and worked on the land before James Dutton ever settled on it. However, that’s not the strongest Native American storyline in the franchise.
The Broken Rock Reservation is not real, but theYellowstonescenes set there were shot on the actual Crow Indian Reservation, which, like Broken Rock, is outside of Billings, Montana.
1923includes a plotline about Thomas Rainwater’s grandmother, Teonna Rainwater. Teonna is a young Native American woman who was stolen from the Broken Rock Reservation and placed in a diabolical and abusive Catholic boarding school against her will. The series chronicles her rebellion against her tormenters and violent escape from the school that acted as a prison. At the end of1923season 1, Teonna is still on the run with two Catholic priests in pursuit.Teonna’s story is by far the most exciting one involving Native Americansin the section of the country theYellowstonefranchise is based in.
51883 Elevates Yellowstone’s Stunning Western Landscapes
The prequel takes place entirely in the vistas of the American West
Part of what has madeYellowstoneso popular is its ability to transport viewers to a place wholly unlike their own surroundings. John Dutton’s conflict with Danny Huston’s Dan Jenkins is based on Jenkins' desire to sell the beauty and peace of the land on which the Yellowstone ranch is set, which is what the show is essentially selling as well. However,Yellowstoneis still limited by its modern setting, and includes cities and modern landscapes.
1883received a primetime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Cinematography for a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie.
1883, on the other hand, elevates the visual aesthetic that has madeYellowstoneso popular. With a massive budget at its disposal,1883fully embraced the beautiful, sweeping mountains and plainsof the Old West. The entire show is set in the wilderness of the frontier, allowing its visual appeal to ascend to levels thatYellowstonecan never match.
41883 And 1923 Have Higher Stakes Than Yellowstone
Death is everywhere, both from enemies and the American West itself
Death and violence often threaten inYellowstone, as nearly every major character has been shot, beaten, or blown up at one time or another. However, the stakes can only rise so high with modern innovations in medicine and transportation. For example, John Dutton survived cancer, a ruptured ulcer, and an assault rifle attack within the span of just a few years in the show.1883and1923characters have a much higher chance of death;1883in particular sees danger coming from not only bullets and arrows, but from much harder-to-evade threats like snakebites, disease, and childbirth.
On top of the constant threat of death,the Duttons of the prequel series are fighting for their livelihoodsand home at every turn. InYellowstone, the Duttons could lose large swaths of the ranch and not only live, but live quite comfortably. In1883, the Duttons are fighting to stay alive on the plains of the Old West, while a couple of generations later they’re still fighting for their family’s survival against those who would see them wiped from the land, in addition to the survival of the ranch.
31883 And 1923 Have Stronger Female Characters Than Yellowstone
Prominent female characters are at the forefront in a typically male-dominated genre
Yellowstoneisn’t without strong female characters, as both Beth Dutton (Reilly) and Monica Dutton (Kelsey Asbille) have their moments at various times throughout the show. However, both characters are heavily flawed as well; Beth is routinely cruel and at times operates out of emotion and blind loyalty, even if her behavior ends up destructive, while Monica is often paralyzed by indecision. Neither measures up to the strong female characters of1883and1923.
Helen Mirren’s Cara Dutton is the powerful matriarch of the Dutton clan in1923, and she is equal parts smart and fierce. When her husband Jacob is shot and fighting for his life, Cara steps up and even stands in for him to lead the local cattle owners' association.She takes full command of the Dutton familyin Jacob’s absence, leading with strength and authority. Similarly, Isabel May’s Elsa Dutton of1883is independent and brave, even if she’s occasionally naive. Both of the two lead female characters from the prequels are stronger than any found inYellowstone.
21883 Contains Real World Historical Connections
Cameos from actual historical figures add authenticity
Nobody watches any part of theYellowstonefranchise expecting historical accuracy or real world connections. Therefore, it was a surprise to see real historical figures show up in1883’s early episodes. While none of them are integral to the larger story told in the series, they are inserted smartly into the plot in roles that make sense given the time period and location of the show’s action.Their inclusion lends some authenticity to the seriesand further enhances the Old West aesthetic.
General George Meade
Tom Hanks
Major general of the Union Army in the American Civil War; defeated Robert E. Lee in the Battle of Gettysburg
Charles Goodnight
Taylor Sheridan
A rancher and scout in the American West who was famous for helping settle the Texas Panhandle and establishing a cattle trail to Colorado
Episodes 7 and 8
Marshal Jim Courtright
Billy Bob Thornton
A famous gunman and lawman of questionable integrity based in Fort Worth, Texas
11923 Expands The Yellowstone Universe Beyond The American West
Spencer Dutton’s story widens the world of Yellowstone
WhileYellowstoneand its spinoffs are meant to be Westerns,1923did the franchise a favor andexpanded the world beyond the American West. The season 1 story of Spencer Dutton, the youngest son of James and Margaret Dutton, takes place overseas, as Spencer is a big game hunter in Africa when the series opens. As he attempts to make his way back to the United States, Spencer and his fiance, Alexandria, move across Africa and parts of the Mediterranean.
By showcasing an entirely new setting for theYellowstonefranchise,Spencer’s story provides some much-needed variation in aesthetic. As a former soldier and big game hunter in Africa, Spencer still embodies many of the typical qualities associated with cowboys, but in a new and visually exciting way.Yellowstonerarely leaves the areas around the ranch, much less travels to a new continent.
Yellowstone
Cast
Yellowstone follows the Dutton family, led by patriarch John Dutton, as they defend their expansive ranch against external threats from land developers, an Indian reservation, and America’s first national park. Released on August 22, 2025, this series examines the complex dynamics and violent conflicts surrounding the largest contiguous ranch in the United States.
