The Yellowstone franchise just keeps on expanding, even in the wake of its parent series’ death. Following Kevin Costner’s exit from Yellowstone, the Paramount Network announced that the neo-Western drama would come to an end following the release of season 5, part 2. The news shocked many, to say the least. At the time, it felt like Yellowstone would at least last until its seventh season, which was reportedly Taylor Sheridan’s initial plan for the series. Everything changed, though, and despite the speed bump, the franchise is alive and well.
In 2021, Taylor Sheridan extended his deal with Paramount to create content. The agreement is set to expire in 2028 if neither party decides to renew the contract.
Sheridan and co. had only six episodes to wrap up Yellowstone‘s overarching story in season 5, part 2. It began with John Dutton III’s death (which was to be expected because it was always Costner’s character’s destiny). Subsequently, his children, mainly Beth and Kayce, had to figure out how to save the Yellowstone Dutton Ranch. By Yellowstone‘s ending, Kayce had sold the land to Chief Thomas Rainwater and the people of the Broken Rock Reservation. Kayce and his family kept their home at East Camp as a part of the deal, but his story isn’t over yet.
Kayce’s Yellowstone Spinoff Airing On CBS Means The Franchise Is Spreading Its Reach (Despite Yellowstone Ending)
The Upcoming Series Won’t Air On Paramount Network
Per Deadline, CBS is reportedly eyeing a Yellowstone spinoff revolving around Luke Grimes’ Kayce Dutton. Nothing is official yet, but sources claim Grimes will reprise his role in the series, and SEAL Team‘s Spencer Hudnut is in place to be its showrunner. While some might assume that the Yellowstone spinoff continues where Kayce, Monica, and Tate left off in the series finale, reports reveal that it could focus on Kayce’s Navy SEAL background instead. In spite of all this, the most interesting piece of information regarding the show is that, if greenlit, it would air on CBS instead of Paramount Network.
This new development demonstrates how Taylor Sheridan’s Western TV empire is not only surviving but also thriving, even months after the parent series ended.
Paramount Network was Yellowstone‘s home throughout its five-season run. Meanwhile, the prequels (1883 and 1923) are available on Paramount+. So, the untitled Kayce-centric Yellowstone spinoff airing on CBS is a first for the franchise. This new development demonstrates how Taylor Sheridan’s Western TV empire is not only surviving but also thriving, even months after the parent series ended. Yellowstone‘s scope just keeps on expanding, and it seemingly won’t stop anytime soon.
The Continued Success Of 1923 Further Proves The Yellowstone Franchise Is Bigger Than Ever
Yellowstone Isn’t Going Away Anytime Soon
1923 season 2 debuted in February 2025 and has been impressively more triumphant than its first outing. The 1923 season 2 premiere’s ratings were up 146% from season 1, and it received a perfect score on Rotten Tomatoes (season 1’s Tomatometer score sits at 90%). Based on this exciting information, it’s evident that the demand for more content from the Yellowstone franchise is higher than ever, despite the original TV show’s ending.
Yellowstone (the series) laid the groundwork for this success. If it wasn’t for the Dutton familyY, the Western TV franchise wouldn’t have been able to expand its reach as much as it has in recent years. So, even though the parent show is no more, it ensured that its successors would carry on its legacy. Due to 1923‘s recent achievements, it’s clear that Yellowstone accomplished its purpose (even if that wasn’t the initial intention). While 1883 is over, it’s unclear if Paramount+ will renew 1923 for season 3, but even if it doesn’t, Taylor Sheridan has many more Yellowstone spinoffs in the works.
