Yellowstone spin offs have surpassed the original in this one crucial way

Yellowstone first premiered in 2018 and aired till 2024. While the show has ended, it is only the beginning of many of its spin-offs. The original series followed the Dutton family, who own the largest ranch in Montana, and their constant struggles against land developers, politicians, and rival families. While the show had a great story, its biggest selling point was the leading cast member, Kevin Costner. His role as John Dutton instantly drew attention to a new show on a network most people had never watched.

Now, years later, the series has ended, but the franchise is still going strong. Moreover, the spin-offs are managing to surpass the original show in one very clear way, which is casting. Instead of being built around one major star like Yellowstone initially was, the spin-offs star Hollywood veterans, giving them a broader appeal and a stronger foundation for the future.

Yellowstone spin-offs and the strength of casting

When Yellowstone premiered, the main attraction was initially Kevin Costner. Costner had spent decades trying to keep the Western genre alive, and a TV series featuring him at the forefront was enough to get audiences' attention. Most of the supporting cast, while talented, were largely unknown to viewers at that point.

But times have changed. With Costner’s departure and the conclusion of John Dutton’s story, Taylor Sheridan has shifted his approach. Instead of leaning on one star, the cast of the spin-offs includes multiple names one might recognise from other projects. Upcoming shows like Dutton Ranch and The Madison feature a cast that includes Ed Harris, Annette Bening, Jai Courtney, Matthew Fox, Michelle Pfeiffer, and Kurt Russell. Sheridan seems to have learned that it is better to have multiple well-known actors in a show rather than relying on the fame of just one, especially after Costner’s exit from the show caused major changes to Yellowstone.

However, this is not new for the franchise. Earlier prequels already showed the power of casting big names. 1883 starred Sam Elliott along with Tim McGraw and Faith Hill, while 1923 starred Harrison Ford and Helen Mirren. These names gave the shows the attention they needed and provided performances that are still remembered by fans. Another spin-off, Y: Marshals, will feature Luke Grimes as the lead, along with returning Yellowstone star Gil Birmingham and newcomer Logan Marshall-Green.

How is this good for the franchise?

Having familiar faces is more important than ever in today’s saturated television industry. With endless choices, audiences often decide to watch a show based on who’s in it. A star like Kurt Russell can draw in Western fans, while Ed Harris’ involvement will appeal to those who loved his past roles in dramas. Even niche fans, like those of Logan Marshall-Green from Damnation, will be excited to see him back in a Western setting.

However, a famous cast doesn’t automatically make a show good. For instance, despite Kevin Costner’s presence, Yellowstone wasn't an absolute success in its first season. Storytelling and characters are also what make the show what it is today. Thus, pairing strong storylines with popular actors makes success far more likely.

Another advantage of this approach is stability. Yellowstone was heavily dependent on Costner, and when he left, it created issues that led to John Dutton’s abrupt death. The spin-offs, however, spread the weight across multiple stars, making them less vulnerable to sudden cast exits. That ensures that the franchise can keep going strong.

With Dutton Ranch, The Madison, and Y: Marshals in the works, the franchise is positioned to keep fans engaged for years to come. The combination of Sheridan’s storytelling and A-list casting has created a combination that is unlikely to fail. In the end, what started as a show carried by Kevin Costner’s star power initially has transformed into a franchise defined by ensemble casts. That’s why the Yellowstone spin-offs haven’t just matched the original; in terms of casting power, they’ve already surpassed it.

Yellowstone is streaming on Peacock, and the other already released spin-offs are streaming on Paramount+.

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