Yellowstone: 1944 – The Next Generation of Duttons Faces War, Loss, and Legacy

Just when fans thought the Dutton family saga had bared all its heartbreak, Yellowstone: 1944 is proving there’s still plenty of emotional territory left to explore. Following the gut-wrenching odyssey of 1883 and the emotionally devastating 1923, Taylor Sheridan is ushering viewers into a new chapter—one set against the global turmoil of World War II, and one that promises to reshape the mythology of the Dutton legacy forever.

This upcoming prequel is poised to bridge the gap between the historical roots of the Dutton ranch and the present-day dynasty led by Kevin Costner’s John Dutton. But instead of simply filling in narrative blanks, 1944 is preparing to pull back the curtain on one of the most emotionally complex and defining eras for the family.

A Dutton Shaped by War and Loss

At the center of 1944 is a young John Dutton II, the eventual father of Costner’s character. If the timeline holds true, we’ll be meeting him in his early twenties—right in the thick of a world at war. According to the emotional fallout of 1923, John II is the orphaned son of Spencer Dutton and Alexandra, a couple whose turbulent and passionate love story ended in gut-wrenching tragedy. Alexandra’s death from frostbite after childbirth devastated fans and left a permanent scar on Spencer—and now, her absence will echo even more deeply through the man her son becomes.

Raised without a mother and possibly by a broken father, John Dutton II’s upbringing will likely be defined by grief, expectation, and a fierce, almost brutal need to prove himself. Sheridan has never shied away from portraying the toll of emotional repression in men raised in hard times, and John II may very well be the most tormented Dutton we’ve seen yet.

Ghosts of the Past: Alexandra’s Return?

In a surprising twist, Julia Schlaepfer—who portrayed the beloved Alexandra—recently revealed she’d be open to returning to the franchise. Her character’s death seemed final, but in the haunting and mythic world of the Duttons, the dead never truly leave. Whispers of Alexandra returning as a ghost or vision, especially during a pivotal moment in John II’s life or Spencer’s grief, could inject a deeply spiritual layer into 1944.

Imagine a war-torn battlefield, with John II facing death—only to be visited by a spectral version of the mother he never knew. Or a broken Spencer speaking to the memory of his great love as he tries to guide his son toward manhood. These possibilities would elevate the emotional stakes in a way few shows dare to.

Spencer’s Second Chance—and the Woman Who Could Shape It All

Despite Alexandra’s death, Brandon Sklenar has expressed interest in reprising his role as Spencer. Fans last saw him as a man battered by grief but surviving—a testament to the rugged endurance at the heart of the Dutton name. If he returns, we may see a more hardened, weathered version of Spencer—one who attempts to raise a son in a world defined by violence and uncertainty.

But the 1923 finale also teased a romantic future for Spencer with a widowed woman—an intentionally placed detail that will undoubtedly play a pivotal role in 1944. Who is this widow? Could she be a source of healing for both Spencer and young John II? Or will her own trauma deepen the cycle of pain that defines the Dutton legacy?

Some fans speculate that Michelle Randolph’s Elizabeth could return in this capacity. As a survivor of 1923 and someone deeply tied to the Dutton family, her presence would add generational continuity. While some viewers ship a Spencer-Elizabeth romance, others resist the idea, arguing it would feel forced. Either way, her involvement in shaping John II’s development is almost certain.

Echoes of the Elders: Jacob and Cara’s Fate

In an astonishing turn, both Jacob (Harrison Ford) and Cara (Helen Mirren) survived the finale of 1923—a development that shocked even the actors themselves. At nearly a hundred years old in the timeline of 1944, it’s unlikely they’ll be alive, but flashbacks or spiritual cameos are very much in play.

Ford has said he’d consider returning “if Taylor Sheridan asked nicely,” while Mirren reflected on the finale’s poetic note: the future of the Duttons resting in the arms of aging grandparents and a newborn child. These symbolic scenes might not just offer nostalgia—they could provide essential emotional grounding as the war-era Duttons confront their own battles.

A New Voice in the Yellowstone Universe?

Enter Samuel L. Jackson. Though nothing is confirmed, Jackson recently expressed interest in joining the Yellowstone franchise. Given the racial realities of the 1940s and the backdrop of World War II, the inclusion of a Black character like Jackson’s would open narrative doors that the franchise has yet to explore.

He could play a fellow soldier, a mentor to John II, or a war-weary veteran who exposes the younger Dutton to broader truths about life, loss, and the fractured ideals of the American Dream. With Sheridan’s commitment to telling unflinching stories, Jackson’s presence could help 1944 tackle race, class, and morality in new and compelling ways.

War Is Coming: The Duttons Face a Global Reckoning

Unlike 1883 and 1923, where the primary threats were nature, economic collapse, or internal feuds, 1944 introduces a global war into the Dutton universe. This isn’t just a change of setting—it’s a seismic shift in narrative tension.

John Dutton II is of fighting age, and with America fully engaged in WWII, the series could easily feature harrowing war sequences, battlefield trauma, and the moral complexities of combat. How does a Dutton, born into land and legacy, reconcile that identity with the chaos of global conflict? Does he return to Montana unchanged, or is he irrevocably damaged? And how does the war impact the family’s grip on the land they’ve fought so hard to protect?

The Future—and the Final Bridge to Yellowstone

Though it’s unclear whether 1944 will be a one-season epic like 1883 or a multi-season saga like 1923, early whispers suggest a two-season arc. This would allow Sheridan to explore the war years in depth before transitioning to the 1960s—when a young John Dutton III (the future Kevin Costner character) comes of age.

Such a structure would serve as the final bridge connecting the prequel trilogy to the modern-day Yellowstone series. And with Sheridan once again writing all episodes himself, fans can expect the same emotional precision and cinematic grandeur that have defined the franchise.

What Comes Next

Production is rumored to begin in late 2025, with a likely release in late 2026. Until then, 1944 remains one of the most anticipated chapters in the Yellowstone saga. With war on the horizon, ghosts in the shadows, and new blood rising, this prequel could be the most emotionally intense installment yet.

For now, one thing is certain: the Dutton story isn’t finished. In fact, the most heartbreaking revelations may still lie ahead.