1944 Episode 1 Trailer (2026): Yellowstone’s WWII-Era Prequel Ignites the Dutton Legacy
1944 Episode 1 Trailer (2026): Yellowstone’s WWII-Era Prequel Ignites the Dutton Legacy
Taylor Sheridan’s Yellowstone universe is far from done breaking our hearts and blowing our minds. After the gut-punch of 1883 and the soul-crushing finale of 1923, the announcement of 1944, the third prequel in the Dutton saga, proves there’s still fire in this dynasty. Set against the explosive backdrop of World War II, this series promises to weave raw family drama with historical grit, introducing a new generation of Duttons while possibly revisiting old favorites. Slated for a late 2026 premiere, 1944 is already shaping up to be a game-changer. Here’s everything we know about its plot, cast, and why it’s got fans buzzing.
Set 21 years after 1923’s devastating finale, 1944 centers on John Dutton II, the son of Spencer (Brandon Sklenar) and Alexandra (Julia Schlaepfer), now in his early 20s. As the father of Yellowstone’s John Dutton III (Kevin Costner), he’s poised to carry the ranch’s legacy through the chaos of WWII. The 1923 ending left us reeling: Alexandra’s death from frostbite after giving birth to John II was a brutal blow, shaping him into a deeply wounded figure. Raised as an orphan by his father Spencer, John II’s story will explore grief, resilience, and the weight of the Dutton name. Will his mother’s loss haunt him as he faces a world at war? Share your thoughts below!
While no official cast list is confirmed, the door is open for big returns. Brandon Sklenar has voiced enthusiasm to reprise Spencer, now a hardened ranch patriarch in his 40s. “I know 1944 is a thing they’re planning, and maybe we see Spencer in 1944,” he told Variety. His arc could focus on raising John II or mentoring him as war looms, complicated by a rumored romance with a widow mentioned in 1923’s finale. Could this mystery woman, possibly a central figure, shape the Dutton legacy? Fans also speculate Michelle Randolph’s Elizabeth, pregnant in 1923, might return as a mentor to John II, though some controversially ship her with Spencer. What’s your take on that pairing?
A wild card in the casting rumor mill: Samuel L. Jackson. After Matthew McConaughey and Morgan Freeman talks fizzled, Jackson expressed interest in joining Sheridan’s universe, per recent reports. His potential role as a Black soldier or mentor to John II during WWII could add a powerful perspective, given the era’s racial tensions. Imagine Jackson’s commanding presence in war-torn Montana—fans on X are already hyping it. Meanwhile, Harrison Ford and Helen Mirren, who played Jacob and Cara in 1923, survived that series’ finale. Ford told The Hollywood Reporter, “If Sheridan asks nicely, I’d consider it”. Mirren echoed, laughing, “I was convinced I was going to die!” At nearly 100 in 1944, their return might be limited to flashbacks, but their emotional weight would be undeniable.
The WWII setting raises the stakes. Montana’s population decline and the global conflict will likely thrust John II into war discussions or action-packed battle scenes, a first for the franchise. Sheridan, writing solo as always, is known for weaving history into his narratives—think 1883’s Western expansion or 1923’s Great Depression. Expect 1944 to tackle D-Day or the Battle of the Bulge, per speculation. With a budget potentially topping 1923’s record-breaking figures, vintage sets and epic war sequences are on the horizon. Will it be a one-season epic like 1883 or a two-season bridge to the 1960s, showing John Dutton III’s childhood? Theories suggest the latter, connecting the prequels to Yellowstone’s main timeline.
Production is eyed for late 2025, with a late 2026 premiere on Paramount+, aligning with Sheridan’s packed slate, including The Madison and Landman Season 2. A surprising twist? Julia Schlaepfer hinted at returning as Alexandra’s ghost, telling a 2025 FYC event, “I’d be an Alex ghost for sure.” A spectral Alexandra guiding her son or haunting Spencer could add a heartbreaking layer. Are you sold on this idea? For now, 1944 promises to blend war, family, and Dutton grit like never before. Stay tuned for updates, and let us know: Which 1923 characters do you want in 1944? Like, follow, and check the video on your screen for more Yellowstone hype
