It would be easy to get lost in the world of Yellowstone. Due to the success of the Western series with Kevin Costner, several spin-offs appeared. This spin-off took the form of prequels, with mini-series 1883, then 1923 (the second season of which is currently filming).
The first thing to know is that these three series can be watched independently of each other. You don’t need to have seen all five seasons of Yellowstone to watch the prequels, as each follows its own story and features different characters. Despite everything, links make it possible to connect different series.
Origin of the Duttons and the creation of the Yellowstone Ranch
It chronicles the arrival of the Duttons in Montana in 1883 and depicts the dramatic circumstances behind the construction of the Yellowstone Ranch. The main character of the miniseries is Elsa Dutton (Isabel May), although her father James Dutton (Tim McGraw) also plays an important role in the plot of the program.
They are the oldest members of the Dathon clan ever to appear in the Yellowstone world. Indeed, the next series takes place forty years later, in 1923. The hero of this other prequel is no longer James Dutton, as one might believe, but his older brother Jacob Dutton (played by Harrison Ford).
When James died in 1893, Jacob Dutton inherited the ranch. But his inheritance is a matter of speculation, his marriage to Cara (Helen Mirren) produced no children and therefore no direct heirs. The couple still raised John Dutton Sr., James’ eldest son, as their own son.
The latter appeared as a young boy in 1883. As the logical heir, he was unfortunately killed in the first episodes of 1923, leaving the Dutton clan without an heir – his sister Elsa died, as evidenced by the hidden detail of Yellowstone. Fortunately for Jacob Dutton, his brother gave birth to a third child.
Jacob Dutton (Harrison Ford) inherited Yellowstone in 1893
Who will inherit the ranch in 1923?
Six years after Elsa’s death, in 1889, James Dutton and his wife Margaret had a second son named Spencer Dutton (Brandon Sclenar). However, at the beginning of the series in 1923, he is not living in Montana, but in Kenya, where his experience as a soldier during the First World War allowed him to become a hunter.
His meeting with Alexandra, Countess of Sussex (Julia Schlapper) turns his life upside down. The two characters begin an affair, which is unfortunately interrupted by a letter written by Cara Dutton informing Spencer of the death of her older brother, John. She urges him to rush back to Montana to help his uncle defend the ranch from raiders.
Spencer Dutton (Brandon Sclenar) became the sole heir to the ranch in 1923.
Yellowstone is set in the present day, about 80 years after 1923 and almost 150 years after 1883. Logically, none of the characters from the prequels appear in the western series, although the names of some appear in the Dutton family cemetery. John Dutton III, played by Kevin Costner, is the grandson of Spencer Dutton and therefore the great-grandson of James Dutton.
Spencer Dutton’s date of death is still unknown. However, we do know that John Dutton retains childhood memories with the latter, and so it’s entirely possible that he will appear in the next prequel to the franchise, which is set to take place in 1944.
All episodes of The World of Yellowstone can now be seen exclusively on the Paramount+ streaming service, which is also available with a Canal+ subscription.
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Source: Allocine
Rose James is a Gossipify movie and series reviewer known for her in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the latest releases. With a background in film studies, she provides engaging and informative reviews, and keeps readers up to date with industry trends and emerging talents.
