Yellowstone Creator Casts Doubt On 1883 Season 2 Plans

Yellowstone creator Taylor Sheridan casts doubt on 1883 season 2 plans as he believes the story for season 1 to have been “close-ended.” The old West drama centers on James and Margaret Dutton, an earlier generation of the Dutton family at the center of Yellowstone as they journey from Fort Worth, Texas to Montana to claim the piece of land that would later become the iconic ranch. The expedition will see the Dutton family witness the darker side of Western expansion and the dangers of the American frontier.

Tim McGraw and Faith Hill lead the cast of 1883 alongside Sam Elliott, Isabel May, LaMonica Garrett, Marc Rissmann, Audie Rick, Eric Nelsen and James Landry Hébert. The Yellowstone prequel series debuted on Paramount+ to largely positive reviews in December for the performances of its cast, namely Elliott, and the tension and world-building of Sheridan’s Western franchise. 1883 also proved to be a ratings hit for the streaming platform, leading to a season 2 renewal before the end of season 1, but that future may not be as concrete as previously reported.

While speaking with Deadline to breakdown the newly aired finale, Yellowstone creator Taylor Sheridan opened up about plans for 1883 season 2. Despite an apparent renewal during last month’s ViacomCBS investor event, the Oscar-nominated writer cast doubt on future plans, expressing his feeling that the season 1 story was “close-ended.” See what Sheridan said below:

“I created this peek through time to show you this one specific journey. I’m not someone who likes to tie everything up in a bow and explain how everyone lived happily after, or didn’t. I’d rather you imagine it, and wonder what Thomas and Noemi made of their lives. You never get to see how James and Margaret move on. You did seem them in a flashback as having moved on, and so that’s what I cared to explore. On to the next peek through the window. I also wanted to create something you could watch and be completely enthralled and fulfilled, having never seen Yellowstone. Let it live on its own merits. Yes for those fans of Yellowstone, there are some real Easter eggs and understanding you can take away from that, that informs the way you watch Yellowstone. I like that model. For me, as a storyteller it feels close ended. I’m going to peek through the window of a different era and see what I see then.”

Despite Sheridan casting doubts on 1883 season 2 plans, it is interesting to note that Variety has confirmed in a separate report that Paramount+ is still developing extra episodes of the series, but that the creative direction is “still being determined.” Given the Yellowstone creator’s feelings about season 1 being a close-ended story, it would make sense the streamer is still figuring how best to move forward with the series, including the extent of his involvement in which he wrote all 10 episodes and directed the pilot. Additionally, with the 1883 finale seeing the death of a number of major characters in the show, a new path will take some time to develop.

With 1883 having become a critical and ratings hit for Paramount+ upon its premiere, becoming the platform’s most-watched original series and the most-watched cable series premiere on Paramount Network in six years, it would make sense the streamer is still hoping to move forward with season 2. Even if Sheridan doesn’t return to write the whole season, his continued work in building out the Yellowstone universe with the upcoming spinoffs 1932 and 6666 and season 5 of the hit series will at least keep the ball rolling on the fan-favorite Western drama. Audiences can catch up on 1883 season 1 streaming in its entirety on Paramount+ now.