Everything You Need to Know about the Yellowstone Prequel1883
"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links."
The first outing of 1883, the prequel series to Paramount Network's hit show Yellowstone has finally come to cable, and for those who are wondering what the trail ahead looks like for the Duttons, here's what we know so far:
When is 1883 on?
1883 is available to stream exclusively through Paramount+. In June 2023, the series also began debuting on cable on Paramount Network—the home of the original Yellowstone—with episodes premiering on Sundays.
It's a slight departure for the Yellowstone universe, as the original show premieres on Paramount Network first, and is later available to stream via NBCUniversal's Peacock steamer.
There are more episodes in the works
On February 15, 2022, Paramount+ announced that it had ordered more episodes of 1883. Since then, though, there has been relatively little in the way of news about the further episodes. At one it appeared that follow ups would take the form of a show centered on the famous US Marshal Bass Reeves, however, the title of that project has since been changed from 1883: Bass Reeves to Lawmen: Bass Reeves, so it's unclear if any connection remains.
For now, it's anybody's guess as to when or even if new episodes of 1883 will actually appear.
What's the show about?
As the name suggests, the show focusses on the Dutton family in the late 19th century as they set out westward across the Great Plains to create the Montana homestead that will one day become the focus of so many trials and tribulations for their descendants.
The official synopsis reveals,"1883 follows the Dutton family as they embark on a journey west through the Great Plains toward the last bastion of untamed America. It is a stark retelling of Western expansion, and an intense study of one family fleeing poverty to seek a better future in America’s promised land — Montana."
The season 4 Yellowstone debut not only showed off a first look at the 1883 characters, including Tim McGraw as James Dutton, but also premiered the show's first official teaser trailer.
Then, the prequel finally gave us a real look at what awaits on the road ahead, with a full trailer packed with gunslinging, tensions on the trail, and plenty of family drama. Watch it in full below:
Faith Hill and Tim McGraw star.
Country music power couple Faith Hill and Tim McGraw star in 1883 as James and Margaret Dutton.
“This is truly a dream job,” McGraw said in a statement.“[Show creator Taylor Sheridan] has found a way of storytelling that brilliantly creates these epic dramas and family sagas with so much depth and creativity. The Duttons are tremendous characters and it’s so thrilling to be able to bring them to life.”
“This is the opportunity of a lifetime,” Hill added. “The Duttons are a formidable family and it is an absolute dream to bring such a strong female character like Margaret Dutton to life. I am humbled and honored to work with Taylor and his entire team.”
The couple, who marked their 25th anniversary on set, spoke to People about what it was like to act together on screen for the first time. "We have made it a point not to work on our scenes together until we're on set," Hill said. "It's important that we react to one another naturally as characters not as husband and wife."
"It's been incredible to do scenes together and to watch her work," McGraw added, sharing that some scene hit (literally) a little close to home. "We had this scene where she has to slap me. I was expecting a finger slap but it was a paw to the jaw. There was 25 years of pent-up aggression going on!" he joked. "When you see it on screen, you realize it was a genuine hit."
The Cast
In addition to Hill and McGraw, the cast is rounded out by western-genre veteran Sam Elliott as Shea Brennan, a cowboy who guides the Duttons from Texas to Montana, Isabel May who plays Elsa, the Duttons eldest daughter, LaMonica Garrett as Thomas, a Pinkerton who works closely with Sam Elliott's Shea, as well as a special appearance by Billy Bob Thornton as Marshal Jim Courtright.
Other cast members include Audie Rick as the Duttons son (and future ancestor of Yellowstone's John) John Dutton Sr., and Dawn Olivieri as James Dutton's sister Claire, plus Marc Rissmann, Eric Nelsen, James Landry Hébert, Emma Malouff, Alex Fine, Gratiela Brancusi, Anna Fiamora, Nichole Galicia, Stephanie Nur, Amanda Jaros, Noah Le Gros, and Martin Sensmeier.
It's not the only addition to the Yellowstone universe.
The 1883 prequel comes as part of a larger deal between Yellowstone co-creator, writer, and executive producer Taylor Sheridan and ViacomCBS and MTV Entertainment Group with an eye toward a number of new series, according to Variety.
In 2022, another origin story prequel, titled 1923, joined the ranks of the Yellowstone universe, following the Dutton family through Prohibition and the Great Depression. Starring Helen Mirren and Harrison Ford, the series has already been picked up for a second season, though filming has been delayed by the ongoing writers strike.
The show joins the Yellowstone spin-off operating under the working title 6666. While details about the project are scarce, the synopsis released along with the show's announcement seems to suggest that it will be set on a modern West Texas ranch, with a history just as fraught and potentially dramatic as the Duttons'. Read the full synopsis below:
Founded when Comanches still ruled West Texas, no ranch in America is more steeped in the history of the West than the 6666. Still operating as it did two centuries before, and encompassing an entire county, the 6666 is where the rule of law and the laws of nature merge in a place where the most dangerous thing one does is the next thing... The 6666 is synonymous with the merciless endeavor to raise the finest horses and livestock in the world, and ultimately where world class cowboys are born and made.
Catch up on Yellowstone:
Seasons 1, 2, 3, 4, and the first half of season 5 of Yellowstone are available for purchase on Amazon Prime, or streaming through Peacock.
SIGN UP FOR PEACOCK TO WATCH NOW
You Might Also Like
