1883: When and how to watch the Yellowstone spinoff

Now approaching its fifth season, the modern-day Western soap opera Yellowstone has become a big hit for the Paramount Network cable TV channel. You can catch previous seasons on Peacock. However, the folks at ViacomCBS know a good thing when they see it and commissioned a Yellowstone spinoff from the show’s co-creator, Taylor Sheridan. He decided to make a Yellowstone prequel, called 1883.

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So what is 1883, and where and how can you watch this Yellowstone prequel? We have all the information you need about the Yellowstone spinoff below.

What is 1883 about?

The Yellowstone spinoff is set in, naturally, 1883. It tells the story of the ancestors of the Dutton family, who are the central characters in Yellowstone.

The series follows these ancestors as they make the trek from Texas to Montana, eventually establishing the massive Dutton ranch. If you haven’t watched yet, expect lots of horse riding, shooting, and people looking cool in cowboy hats as these characters navigate the Wild West in the show.

Where can I watch 1883?

1883 is available to stream exclusively via the Paramount Plus streaming service. You can sign up for the service, with a 30-day free trial for a limited time, at the link below:

When can I watch the series?

The first episode of the Yellowstone spinoff dropped on Paramount Plus on December 19, 2021. With a weekly rollout, the season had its finale on February 27, 2022.

Will there be an 1883 season 2?

Paramount Plus has ordered a second season of 1883, but we don’t yet know when it will premiere.

Who are the 1883 cast members?

One of Yellowstone’s biggest draws is that Kevin Costner made the leap from movies to TV to star in the series. For the Yellowstone prequel, 1883 has some high-powered actors as well. Married couple Tim McGraw and Faith Hill, best known as two of the biggest names in country music, play James and Margaret Dutton, the grandfather and grandmother, respectively, of Costner’s character John Dutton. This is the first time McGraw and Hill will play roles as husband and wife in an acting project.

Also part of the cast is an actor who has played more than one cowboy in the past, Sam Elliott. He plays Shea Brennan, a tough cowboy who leads the Dutton’s wagon train from Texas to Montana. Other cast members include Isabel May as James and Margaret Dutton’s daughter Elsa Dutton, and LaMonica Garrett as Thomas, who helps Brennan guide the wagon train. In addition, Billy Bob Thornton appears as a special guest star playing Marshal Jim Courtright.

Is Tom Hanks in 1883?

Yep, the rumors are true. In the second episode of the series, Hanks made a rare TV show acting appearance. He shows up in a flashback sequence set during the US Civil War as US Army General George Meade. James Dutton, who was a Confederate soldier, encounters Meade during a battle in that sequence.

Are there other Yellowstone spinoffs?

Yes, Paramount has already expanded beyond Yellowstone and 1883 with another prequel series, streaming exclusively on Paramount Plus, like 1883.

Helen Mirren and Harrison Ford star in yet another Dutton origin story, this one taking place a bit closer to the present day. Titled 1923, the new series follows another generation of the Dutton family, this time in the early 20th century.

The show explores pandemics, a historic drought, the end of Prohibition, and the Great Depression as they impact the Duttons.

We’ll keep you posted when information becomes available about any other Yellowstone spinoffs.

That’s all you need to know about the Yellowstone prequel 1883. Catch up with season 1 on Paramount Plus.