The Dutton bloodline is a rich one. From the original flagship series, Yellowstone, to the origin stories 1883 and 1923, to the new drama Marshals, the family’s story has been told via all-star casts, beautiful landscapes, and dramatic storytelling. And now the upcoming Dutton Ranch is entering the picture.
So, what’s the best way to watch the Dutton family saga? Should you watch in chronological order, or in release order? Yellowstone, a modern-day Western, marked the start of the Dutton legacy, and was followed by shows that jumped to different decades. So keep reading to learn the correct chronological order, release order, and places to watch everything.
Spoiler alert: Readers beware, spoilers will be shared, but as sparingly as possible.
About the Dutton family saga
The stories of the Dutton family follow its members as they create a legacy that spans decades and locales. From humble beginnings to becoming owners of the largest contiguous ranch in the United States, the Duttons battle everything to secure power, land, and family.
The Dutton saga starts in 1883, and then follows a new generation of the family into 1923. Yellowstone takes place in modern day. The Duttons’ story continues into the present with Marshals, and the upcoming Dutton Ranch.
In every series, Duttons are front and center. From emotional losses to hard-won victories, their story is one for the ages.
Option 1: Chronological viewing order (in-universe timeline)
One way to watch the Dutton family saga is in chronological order, from the start of the family’s saga in 1883 to present day
1883
1883 is the starting point of the Dutton legacy. Created by Taylor Sheridan, the limited-run, Emmy®-nominated Yellowstone origin story follows the Duttons as they journey west from Texas in the late 19th century in search of a better future. The family joins a caravan led by Civil War veteran Shea Brennan (Sam Elliott) and his right-hand man, Thomas (LaMonica Garrett). While the Duttons aim to reach Oregon, the world has other plans for them – and they settle in the future home of Yellowstone Dutton Ranch: Montana.
In this chapter of the Dutton family saga, the Duttons are led by James Dutton (Tim McGraw) and his wife, Margaret Dutton (Faith Hill). They have a free-spirited, 18-year-old daughter, Elsa (Isabel May), and a 5-year-old son, John (Audie Rick).
All 10 episodes are now streaming on Paramount+.
WATCH NOW: 1883
1923
The Dutton family again takes center stage in 1923, the second Yellowstone origin story created by Taylor Sheridan. Harrison Ford and Helen Mirren star, and Isabel May reprises her 1883 role as narrator. Ford plays Jacob Dutton, James Dutton’s brother and Elsa Dutton’s uncle. Mirren plays Jacob’s wife, Cara Dutton. Brandon Sklenar stars as Spencer Dutton, the youngest child of James and Margaret Dutton (born after the events of 1883), who was raised by Jacob and Cara.
Other key Duttons we meet: John Dutton Sr. (played by James Badge Dale), son of 1883‘s James and Margaret; and, Jack Dutton (played by Darren Mann), John Sr.’s son, and Spencer’s cousin.
In this series, the Duttons fight battles on numerous fronts. For Jacob and Cara, based in Montana in the early years of Yellowstone Dutton Ranch, their chief nemesis, aside from a brutal winter, is a land-hungry tycoon named Donald Whitfield (Timothy Dalton). Elsewhere, the globe-trotting Spencer hunts for game, and finds the love of his life, Alexandra (Julia Schlaepfer). In the series finale, Alexandra gives birth to her and Spencer’s son, John Dutton II.
This drama spans two seasons. All episodes are streaming now on Paramount+.
WATCH NOW: 1923
Yellowstone
Created by Taylor Sheridan and John Linson, Yellowstone is a modern-day Western that follows the Dutton family now headed by Spencer Dutton’s grandson and James Dutton’s great-grandson, John Dutton III, or as he’s familiarly known, John Dutton (Kevin Costner).
Here, in the 21st century, Yellowstone Dutton Ranch is the largest contiguous ranch in the United States, and John controls it with the help from his children: Lee (Dave Annable), Beth (Kelly Reilly), Kayce (Luke Grimes), and Jamie (Wes Bentley).
Yellowstone ran for five seasons on Paramount Network. You can watch (or rewatch!) episodes, when scheduled, on Paramount Network (check local listings), or stream the series on Peacock. Please note: Yellowstone does not stream on Paramount+.
Marshals
Here, the Dutton family story expands into law-enforcement-procedural territory. Marshals follows Kayce Dutton (Luke Grimes), son of Yellowstone‘s John Dutton, as he leaves behind ranch life to join an elite unit of the U.S. Marshals in Montana. The CBS Original drama from executive producer Taylor Sheridan premiered on March 1, 2026, and was promptly renewed for a second season. Marshals airs on CBS, and streams on Paramount+.
WATCH NOW: Marshals
Dutton Ranch
Dutton Ranch is a new Paramount+ original series premiering Friday, May 15, 2026 that follows Beth Dutton (Kelly Reilly), daughter of John Dutton III and sister of Kayce Dutton, and her husband, Rip Wheeler (Cole Hauser), and their ward, Carter (Finn Little), as they head to South Texas to start a new life.
WATCH THE TRAILER: Dutton Ranch
Option 2: Release order
Another way to watch the Dutton family saga is in release order. Watch in real time as the story gains depth and breadth.
Here is how to watch the shows in release order:
- Yellowstone
- Show release date: 2018
- 1883
- Show release date: 2021
- 1923
- Show release date: 2022
- Marshals
- Show release date: 2026
- Dutton Ranch
- Show release date (upcoming): May 15, 2026
Where each show fits in the Dutton saga
The Dutton saga starts with 1883, following James and Margaret Dutton and their family. The story then moves to 1923, and follows James’ brother Jacob Dutton, his wife Cara, and their family as they fight to survive in the early 20th century. At the end of 1923, Spencer, Jacob’s nephew and James’ son, and his wife Alexandra welcome a son, John Dutton II, the future father of Yellowstone’s John Dutton (aka John Dutton III).
Yellowstone is set in the modern era, and centers on John Dutton, the great-grandson of James Dutton, grandson of Spencer Dutton, and great-nephew of Jacob Dutton. John Dutton’s youngest son, Kayce Dutton, takes center stage in Marshals, which takes place in Montana, after the events of Yellowstone. Then, in the upcoming Dutton Ranch, Beth Dutton and her husband, Rip Wheeler, take on South Texas.
Where to watch Dutton family shows
You can watch 1883, 1923, Marshals, and the upcoming Dutton Ranch (premiering Friday, May 15) on Paramount+ with a subscription. New episodes of Marshals also air on CBS, while new episodes of Dutton Ranch will also air on Paramount Network. Classic episodes of Yellowstone may be found on Paramount Network (check local listings), and stream on Peacock.
Please note: Yellowstone does not stream on Paramount+.
