A brand new prequel to Paramount’s Yellowstone is in the works, according to a recent report from Deadline.
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The series, which is titled 1883, is set to tell the origin story of how Yellowstone’s Dutton Family came to own the largest ranch in Montana. According to Deadline, the series has begun production in Fort Worth, Texas, with Taylor Sheridan. Sheridan, known for writing Sicario, Wind River, Sons of Anarchy, and all 10 episodes of Yellowstone‘s first season, will be directing the pilot.
The report also notes that the series will focus mainly on Isabel May’s (Alexa and Katie), Elsa, the oldest daughter of John and Margaret Dutton (as portrayed by Tim McGraw and Faith Hill, respectively), with the story being told through her eyes. Not much is known about the show, but it does seem like we’ll watch as the family makes its way out of Texas and onto a better life in Montana, where the family resides in the present-day series.
LaMonica Garrett (Clemency, The Terminal List) and Sam Elliott (Tombstone, The Big Lebowski) are both joining the cast. Elliott is set to play a Pinkerton agent named Shea Brennan who follows the Duttons to Montana while Garrett will be his second-in-command. Deadline’s report also notes that the budget for 1883 is more than what Paramount initially spent on Yellowstone. This hints at a show with a much bigger show in scope and size, as evidenced by the 30 real wagons, cities, and towns the team created for authenticity’s sake in addition to the time-appropriate wardrobe and props. C101 Studios CEO David Glasser spoke about how Paramount was willing to help see Sheridan’s vision become reality, despite the incredible expenses.
“They came to Taylor early on, and described how they wanted to build the streaming service by putting some incredible content on the air, and Taylor said, ‘I have it. I want to do the prequel to the Duttons but this is going to be a big epic huge show.’ They didn’t blink,” he said. “They’re really going for it, making shows that tell big stories. They’re very serious about what they want the streaming service to be and what will define it. I think there is a huge audience that is going to want to be part of Taylor’s shows.”
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No release date for 1883 has been confirmed, but Yellowstone is getting ready to debut its fourth season on November 7, 2021. The series is currently on the Paramount Network and can also be streamed on Peacock.
