The old saying holds true: records are meant to be broken—even if they’re your own. Just ask “Yellowstone” creator Taylor Sheridan, whose ever-expanding western universe continues to dominate on Paramount+.
‘1923’ Proves Spinoffs Can Be Just as Big—If Not Bigger Than ‘Yellowstone‘
Sheridan’s “Yellowstone” spinoff, “1923,” premiered at the top of Paramount+ and set a new record in the process. The series, starring Harrison Ford as Jacob Dutton and Academy Award winner Helen Mirren as Cara Dutton, has taken the “Yellowstone” universe to new heights.
Expectations were high with the debut of season 2, but the spinoff didn’t just meet them; it shattered them. In fact, it even outperformed the original series.
When the “Yellowstone” flagship ended last year, some fans and critics questioned whether Sheridan’s western empire had any life left. However, The Wrap reported that “1923’s” season 2 premiere brought in an astonishing 5.4 million viewers, making it the biggest debut in Paramount+ history.
While the record-setting premiere was only slightly ahead of the 5.2 million debut of Sheridan’s Billy Bob Thorton-led “Landman” in 2024, it more than doubled “Yellowstone’s” first season premiere, which pulled in 2.2 million viewers. The numbers prove that not only is there still demand for Sheridan’s Western storytelling—it’s growing stronger than ever.
Taylor Sheridan’s Hit ‘1923’ Is the Result of a Misunderstanding
The first “Yellowstone” spinoff, “1883,” is a limited series set in the era when the Old West ruled America. Like most of Sheridan’s work, he got big names to star in the 10-episode series, including Faith Hill, Tim McGraw, and Sam Elliott, and introduced Isabel May. “1883” captivated fans as they watched early members of the Dutton family embark on a westward journey in search of a better life.
While “1883” was a massive hit, it was never meant to be a multi-season saga like its predecessor. As he explained to Deadline, Sheridan always planned for it to be a one-season story.
“I created this peek through time to show you this one specific journey. I’m not someone who likes to tie everything up in a bow and explain how everyone lived happily after, or didn’t.
However, that decision nearly backfired when he realized Paramount executives weren’t on board with his vision.
According to the Dallas Morning News, Bob Bakish, then Paramount Global CEO, reportedly watched the first season of “1883” and was shocked by the ending, where many main characters died.
Bakish reportedly asked Sheridan, “Wait a minute, she dies! They all die?! What do we do in season two?”.
Sheridan reportedly replied, “There is no season two.”
Since Sheridan had already wrapped up the character arcs in “1883,” he needed to create an entirely new storyline. That “misunderstanding” ultimately led to “1923,” which tells the story of more members of the Dutton family as they struggle to hold on to their ranch in the early stages of the Great Depression. The series not only met expectations but set a new benchmark for the entire “Yellowstone” universe.
With record-breaking numbers and a passionate fanbase, Sheridan’s Western world isn’t slowing down anytime soon. If anything, it’s just getting started.
Tell us! Are you watching Taylor Sheridan’s latest hit, “1923”? Let us know in the comments below.
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Yellowstone Creator Taylor Sheridan Just Broke One of His Own Records at Paramount+