1944: Taylor Sheridan’s Yellowstone successor develops after Lioness; 2027 arrival not officially confirmed
A new setting for Yellowstone
The upcoming spinoff 1944 is set roughly 75 years before the original Yellowstone series. It will follow the Dutton family during the Second World War, a period not previously depicted in the franchise.
The end of 1923 set up John Dutton II’s story. He is expected to turn 21 around the time U.S. forces carried out the D-Day landings in France.
A Dutton at war
The article says John II is likely to serve, noting that American men aged 18 to 45 were subject to conscription from December 1941. The series would make him the first Dutton shown actively fighting in a war.
Other family members have military histories, including John Dutton’s Vietnam service, Kayce Dutton’s time as a Navy SEAL in Afghanistan, Spencer Dutton’s First World War service and James Dillard Dutton’s Confederate Army captaincy. Earlier Yellowstone shows have referred to service, but have not depicted a Dutton fighting in a war.
Sheridan’s military dramas
The project follows the record-setting third-season finale of Lioness on Paramount+, which drew 9.7 million viewers, according to the article. Sheridan is also associated with the feature-length productions F.A.S.T. and Call of Duty.
1944 is expected to bring period combat to the Yellowstone franchise. Another spinoff, Marshals, follows Kayce Dutton in an action-oriented procedural, but is set in a different kind of story world.
Development and expected release
An update in June 2026 confirmed that 1944 was in active development. The article says the show is expected to reach screens in 2027, following earlier development delays.
The series would combine the franchise’s Western setting with a Second World War story. Its focus on John Dutton II’s military service would mark a new direction for Yellowstone.
Key points
- 1944 is set during the Second World War and follows the Dutton family.
- John Dutton II is expected to be the first Dutton shown fighting in a war.
- The series was confirmed in active development in June 2026.
- 1944 is expected to reach screens in 2027.