Yellowstone fans, brace yourselves—because the saga of the Dutton family is about to head into one of its most pivotal eras yet. With nearly a year gone since the explosive conclusion of 1923 season two, the franchise is once again expanding, this time into 1944, a series poised to tackle questions that fans have been holding onto since the heartbreaking ending of its predecessor.

What makes 1944 instantly compelling is not just its timeline, but the legacy it’s carrying. The story picks up about twenty-one years after the events of 1923, which places Spencer and Alexandra’s son, John Dutton II, in his early twenties. And if that name rings a bell, it should—this young man will grow into the father of Kevin Costner’s John Dutton, the formidable patriarch we know from Yellowstone. Suddenly, the puzzle pieces of the Dutton dynasty are beginning to lock into place, and the weight of John II’s story is one that fans cannot underestimate.

But let’s rewind for a second. The way 1923 ended left many viewers reeling. Spencer and Alexandra’s love story, defined by sacrifice and sheer determination, ended in tragedy when Alexandra died of frostbite shortly after giving birth to their son. That brutal twist didn’t just shock audiences—it left an open wound that still lingers. Taylor Sheridan has never shied away from devastating storytelling, but to many, Alexandra’s death felt particularly cruel. And yet, 1944 seems to be Sheridan’s way of revisiting that tragedy with a sense of redemption, showing how John II carries the burden of growing up motherless, his identity forever shaped by grief and loss.

This, in turn, sets up a Dutton who could be unlike any we’ve seen before. Hardened by tragedy, John II may very well be more complex, more wounded, and possibly more ruthless than even his ancestors. His journey, forged by the absence of his mother and the pressures of wartime America, could redefine what it means to be a Dutton.

Now, here’s where things get even more intriguing. Julia Schlaepfer, who played Alexandra, hasn’t completely closed the door on her role. At a recent event, she hinted that she’d be open to returning—even as a ghost. Imagine Alexandra appearing to comfort her son in his darkest hours, or haunting Spencer as he struggles with guilt and grief. That possibility alone would be enough to emotionally devastate audiences, while also deepening the spiritual and emotional mythology of the Dutton family.

As for Spencer himself, Brandon Sklenar has already expressed interest in reprising his role. And honestly, 1944 would feel incomplete without him. An older, battle-worn Spencer, attempting to guide his son through the realities of both war and the brutal landscape of ranching, feels essential. What’s more, 1923 hinted at Spencer eventually finding love again—with a widowed woman—a detail that many fans believe was too important to ignore. If this relationship comes to life in 1944, it could add a new maternal presence for John II and influence the Dutton legacy in ways we haven’t seen before.

But there’s another name stirring excitement and speculation—Kurt Russell. For years, rumors have swirled about his involvement in the Yellowstone universe, yet nothing has ever materialized. However, with Sheridan’s rising influence at Paramount and the massive success of the franchise, the whispers are louder than ever that Russell may finally join 1944. The talk is that he could play another Dutton relative, possibly a distant cousin who joins Spencer in Montana, becoming both a companion and an additional father figure to John II. If true, Russell’s presence would not only add star power but also deepen the generational complexity that Yellowstone thrives on.

And then, of course, there’s the backdrop of 1944 itself. Unlike the sweeping frontiers of 1883 or the Depression struggles of 1923, this chapter unfolds in the heart of World War II. That means John II is the perfect age to be drafted, setting the stage for harrowing battlefield sequences, military camps, and gut-wrenching missions overseas. The Duttons have always battled enemies on the home front, but this time, the fight will expand globally. Yet the ranch won’t escape unscathed—the war effort will reach Montana too, straining resources, manpower, and land management. For the first time, the Yellowstone Ranch becomes entwined in a truly worldwide conflict, which will reshape it forever.

What we’re looking at here isn’t just another prequel—it’s the emotional and historical linchpin of the entire franchise. John Dutton II’s journey connects the sacrifices of Spencer and Alexandra to the empire Kevin Costner’s John would one day protect at all costs. His story will be one of survival, legacy, and the scars of war, both personal and global.

But as exciting as this all is, fans need to temper their expectations about when they’ll see it. Sheridan’s schedule is overflowing, and 1944 remains in early development. Most signs suggest that production won’t kick off until late 2025, following the release of The Madness, another Sheridan project. This points to a likely premiere sometime in late 2026. Yes, the wait will be long—but for a story this monumental, it may be worth every second.

So, will Alexandra return as a ghost? Will Spencer’s second romance change the Dutton legacy? Could Kurt Russell finally join the Yellowstone family? And how will John Dutton II’s time on the battlefield reshape the dynasty we know today? These questions sit at the heart of 1944, and while answers are still on the horizon, one thing is certain: the Dutton saga is far from over.

For fans who have cried, raged, and celebrated with this family across generations, 1944 promises to deliver both heartbreak and redemption in equal measure. And in the process, it may just cement itself as one of the most vital—and unforgettable—chapters of the Yellowstone story.