Sad news: Actor Luke Grimes, the heart and soul of Dutton Farm, has passed away md20

The modern TV landscape is insanely crowded and has plenty of hits, but Yellowstone carved out something bigger by building a full-fledged, frontier-sized empire. Taylor Sheridan didn’t just create a show about ranchers, land disputes, and family loyalty, but also created an entire universe that feels as untamed and sprawling as the Montana wilderness itself. One about the Dutton family, and centuries worth of ambition and heartbreak of those who dared to stake their claim in the American West.

Of course, at the heart of it all is Yellowstone itself, a five-season triumph that blends soap opera intensity with cinematic grit. Sheridan then expanded the mythology with spin-offs that each tell their own story. 1883 takes us back to the brutal beginnings of the Dutton dynasty and shows just how much blood and sacrifice went into building a legacy. And 1923 pushes forward into the next generation, capturing the turbulence of Prohibition, the Great Depression, and the shifting tides of power.

Together, these spin-offs elevate Yellowstone, making each season feel like a new chapter in a grand American novel, with its own tone, triumphs, and tragedies. And when you line them up alongside the flagship series, you get eight seasons of incredible storytelling, all tied together by Sheridan’s signature mix of grit and grandeur. From past to present, here is every Yellowstone franchise season, ranked.

‘Yellowstone’ Season 5 (2023)

Paramount Network 

The fifth and final season of Yellowstone is split into two parts, beginning in November 2022 and concluding in December 2024. John Dutton steps into the role of Montana’s governor, a move that shifts the game from his ranch land to political office. His decision to wield power from the statehouse sets off a chain of conflicts with developers, rivals, and even his own family. Beth continues her ruthless maneuvers to protect the ranch, while Jamie’s ambitions and betrayals grow intense. Rip and the bunkhouse crew face growing threats, and the looming question of succession hangs heavy over every episode.

Even though Kevin Costner’s commanding presence anchors most of the season, his departure from the show’s second half leaves some impact. Kelly Reilly’s Beth often steals the spotlight with her sharp dialogue and relentless strategy. Wes Bentley’s Jamie and his conflicted loyalties created a counterbalance with Cole Hauser’s Rip’s steady presence. As the final chapter, the season ties together years of storytelling and leaves audiences with a sense of closure, but Costner’s absence was felt in the final installments, that seemed to lack an overarching strategy.

‘Yellowstone’ Season 4 (2021)

Paramount Network

Premiering in November 2021, Season 4 picks up after the explosive attacks that left the Dutton family fighting for survival. John recovers from his near-fatal shooting, Beth is scarred but unbroken after the office bombing, and Kayce fends off a violent assault. The ranch itself becomes a war zone, with mercenaries targeting the bunkhouse and tensions rising across Montana. Meanwhile, the Duttons hunt down those responsible. Also, Rip and Beth’s relationship takes center stage, and the season ends with their wedding.

Thriving mainly on intensity, the season’s chaotic opening episode sets a tone that is carried through to the finale. Costner’s portrayal of John recovering from trauma gave weight to the family’s struggle, while Reilly’s Beth was fierce as ever. Luke Grimes’ Kayce had standout moments, particularly his vision quest that had deeper spiritual undertones. Compared to Season 5, Season 4’s reception was strong because fans were able to connect with the raw portrayal of survival and Jamie’s complicated ties to his biological father.

‘1923’ Season 2 (2024)

Paramount+

Released in February 2025, the second season of 1923 shifts into the harsh winter of 1924. Jacob and Cara Dutton, played by Harrison Ford and Helen Mirren, face grave challenges as brutal weather and economic pressures threaten their ranch. Spencer Dutton’s journey home from Africa becomes the core, and his relationship with Alexandra is tested by both distance and danger. Meanwhile, Donald Whitfield’s schemes grow intense and put the Duttons’ land at risk.

Known for balancing sweeping frontier struggles with intimate family drama, the season shows how the Duttons endure against both external enemies and the unforgiving environment. Ford and Mirren’s performances ground the season, while Brandon Sklenar’s Spencer brings emotional weight, especially in scenes where his longing for home collides with the obstacles in his path. Moreover, audiences praised the way it expanded the Yellowstone universe while standing firmly on its own, emerging as a lived-in and authentic chapter in the saga. That said, the season felt like a step down from its predecessor overall, with much slower pacing and a less-focused plot.

‘Yellowstone’ Season 1 (2018)

Paramount Network

Premiering in June 2018, the first season of Yellowstone introduces viewers to John Dutton (Kevin Costner), patriarch of the largest contiguous ranch in the United States. The story revolves around his fight to protect the land from developers, Native American leaders reclaiming ancestral territory, and political forces eager to reshape Montana. Beth, Jamie, and Kayce have their own conflicts, and the season features land disputes, betrayals, and violent confrontations.

Costner’s aura immediately established just how incredible Yellowstone was going to be. Paired with the sharp wit of Reilly’s Beth and the conflicting return of Luke Grimes’ Kayce to the ranch after leaving the military, there was a lot of texture and drama. Initially, reception was mixed, but Yellowstone Season 1 grew from episode to episode, with viewers drawn to its blend of neo-Western grit and family melodrama.

‘1923’ Season 1 (2022)

Paramount+

Set against the backdrop of the early 20th century, 1923 Season 1 follows Jacob and Cata Dutton (Ford and Mirren) as they struggle to preserve the family ranch during a time of immense upheaval. The season explores the challenges of Prohibition, the looming Great Depression, and the violent clashes between ranchers and industrialists. Spencer Dutton’s storyline, unfolding across Africa, adds intrigue by showing how the family’s fate is tied to distant battles as well. Meanwhile, Donald Whitfield’s schemes cast a shadow on the Duttons’ land, forcing Jacob and Cara to fight for survival and the continuation of their legacy.

Season 1 of 1923 is remembered for its performances. Ford’s weariness and Mirren’s ferocity anchor the narrative, while Sklenar’s Spencer brings depth – mainly in his romantic storyline with Alexandra, which contrasts the harsh realities back home. Fans praised the sweeping cinematography and Sheridan’s ability to blend historical detail with intimate family drama. Basically, audiences were drawn to the fact that the season was so character-driven, and yet it didn’t lose the edge of frontier hardship.

‘1883’ (2021)

Paramount+

Serving as the origin story of the Dutton family, 1883 finds James and Margaret Dutton (Tim McGraw and Faith Hill) joining a wagon train led by Shea Brennan (Sam Elliott), as they guide immigrants across the treacherous plains toward the promise of Montana. The journey is brutal, as disease, bandits, and the unforgiving landscape claim lives at every turn. Isabel May’s Elsa narrates and her coming-of-age arc intertwines the family’s struggles. By the finale, tragedy envelops the Duttons’ place in Montana, with Elsa’s death shaping their destiny.

1883 is a massive hit as it delivered a raw and unflinching portrayal of the Dutton family’s origins. The performances were utterly captivating, with McGraw, Hill, and Elliott appearing in career-best turns as the Dutton patriarch and Brennan, respectively. The show’s gritty realism is heightened by its stunning cinematography, which captures the rugged beauty of the American frontier with outstanding precision. And the historical authenticity made sure the raw beginnings of the Dutton legacy remain unforgettable.

‘Yellowstone’ Season 2 (2019)

Paramount Plus

Season 2 of Yellowstone, which aired in 2019, escalates the tension around the Dutton ranch as new enemies arrive in the form of the Beck brothers, powerful businessmen with ties to militia groups. John Dutton, already battling Thomas Rainwater and Dan Jenkins, finds himself cornered as these rivals unite against him. From the fallout of John’s health scare to Kayce’s struggle to balance family and ranch duties to Beth’s relentless efforts to protect the land at all costs, the season covers everything.

Violence intensifies, with kidnappings, betrayals, and bloody confrontations pushing the family to its limits. And by the finale, the Duttons are forced into taking some crucial decisions. The second season thrives on storytelling as it dives deeper into the complex moral quandaries that the Duttons must navigate. The performances are nothing short of exceptional, with Costner, Reilly, and Gil Birmingham delivering riveting portraits of their respective characters. Praised for its intensity and shocking twists (like Tate’s kidnapping), the season is easily one of the franchise’s most gripping chapters.

‘Yellowstone’ Season 3 (2020)

Premiering in June 2020, Season 3 of Yellowstone shifts the battlefield to corporate warfare as Market Equities, a Fortune 500 company, sets its sights on the Dutton ranch. John faces pressure from both political and financial fronts, while Beth launches her own campaign against the company. Kayce steps up, taking on responsibilities that test his resolve. Meanwhile, Jamie’s adoption revelation only fractures the family further, fueling even more resentment and mistrust.

The third season also boasts one of the show’s most shocking finales, with coordinated attacks on John, Beth, and Kayce leaving the family bloodied and fans rattled. The slow-burn tension and the explosive payoffs are exactly why Season 3 is the best franchise season. Reilly’s Beth was absolutely mesmerizing, and her verbal sparring with Market Equities executives only added bite to the season. Grimes’ Kayce also had memorable scenes. Overall, the cliffhanger ending was brutal, but it was a turning point in the saga, and it solidified Yellowstone’s status as one of the most compelling and well-crafted dramas on television.