The latest Yellowstone prequel, 1923, has been renewed for season 2, set to continue the story of Harrison Ford and Helen Mirren's Jacob and Cara Dutton 100 years prior to the events of Yellowstone. 1923 has proven to be a popular entry in Taylor Sheridan's Yellowstone franchise, with the first episode of the series garnering 7.4 million viewers through Paramount+ and previews. The series also holds the record for the most-watched premiere on Paramount+, underscoring just how much popularity the series -and franchise as a whole -have garnered recently.
According to Deadline, 1923 will be moving forward with season 2, verifying previous reports that Sheridan needed multiple seasons in order to tell the story he has planned for the Yellowstone prequel. The renewal of the series means the 1920s Dutton family will continue to deal with issues like Prohibition and the early days of the Great Depression as they try to keep the Yellowstone Ranch afloat. While viewers know the Ranch will survive into the modern age thanks to Yellowstone's existence, it will still prove interesting to see the history of the Dutton family long before John and his family ruled the Ranch.
Why 1923 Is So Popular
The renewal of 1923 proves that it is yet another popular entry in the ever-expanding Yellowstone franchise. The first prequel series, 1883, told the origin story of the Dutton family and how they settled in the land that would later become the Yellowstone Ranch. Jumping ahead 40 years allows those who watched 1883 connecting once more with the Ranch to see how Jacob has been able to manage it following its foundational roots set by his brother, James. 1923 also gives the Yellowstone franchise more layered continuity by fleshing out the timeline of Yellowstone Ranch's past, details of which can be utilized in other shows.
1923 also boasts a talented cast against the backdrop of an interesting and tumultuous time period in American history. Ford and Mirren's portrayals of Jacob and Cara as a couple willing to do whatever it takes to keep the Ranch alive highlights the strength they needed to channel to have their home survive economic and human threats alike. 1923's massive budget also helps the show maintain high levels of quality, with the estimated $150 million budget for season 1 showing just how important it was for Sheridan to get the series right no matter the monetary cost. The story of the Dutton family's struggle in such a chaotic time coupled with the familiarity of the family thanks to Yellowstone paved the way for 1923 to become a surefire success for Paramount+.
How Will The Yellowstone Franchise Expand In The Future?
In addition to 1923 season 2, the flagship series Yellowstone will be coming back this year to finish season 5. Sheridan also has plans for two more series set in the Yellowstone universe, the first of which, Bass Reeves, tells the story of the first Black U.S. Marshal against the backdrop of the Yellowstone franchise. While Bass Reeves has already started filming, a planned spinoff about the Four Sixes Ranch, titled 6666, is also set to be produced in the future. The renewal of 1923 season 2 indicates that the Yellowstone franchise is both successful and sure to be around for a long time to come.
Source: Deadline