The “Yellowstone” franchise is getting a significant expansion with its latest spinoff centered on Luke Grimes’ character, Kayce Dutton. Following the conclusion of the flagship series on Paramount Network last December, creator Taylor Sheridan is taking the neo-Western saga to new heights by developing this project for CBS.

The shift from cable to network TV is a first for the Dutton universe. And this strategic move could position the Kayce-led series as the “Yellowstone” franchise’s most ambitious outing yet. Here’s what we know about this groundbreaking addition to Sheridan’s television empire.

The Latest ‘Yellowstone’ Spinoff Makes a Milestone Move to Network Television
For the first time in franchise history, a “Yellowstone” series is slated to air on CBS rather than Paramount Network or Paramount+, where previous entries like “1883” and “1923” have resided.

This shift to network TV, with its wider reach, marks a pivotal moment for the franchise. Months after the parent series ended, Sheridan’s western TV empire still appears to be thriving and will potentially expose Kayce’s story to millions of new viewers.

Reports indicate the series, helmed by “SEAL Team” showrunner Spencer Hudnut, may take a procedural approach and diverge from the family-centric drama of past installments. It could possibly focus on Kayce’s background as a Navy SEAL or his duties as Montana’s Livestock Commissioner.

The New Spinoff Will Focus on Kayce Dutton’s Post-Finale Journey
The spinoff will pick up after the “Yellowstone” season 5 finale, where Kayce sold the Dutton Ranch to Chief Thomas Rainwater and the Broken Rock Reservation. However, he retained the East Camp for his family—wife Monica (Kelsey Asbille) and son Tate (Brecken Merrill).

According to Deadline, the series will run concurrently with Beth (Kelly Reilly) and Rip’s (Cole Hauser) forthcoming spinoff. This is the first time the franchise has traditionally separated its shows by distinct time periods in the Dutton family history.

“1883” followed the first Duttons to Montana in the late 19th century, “1923” focuses on the family in the pre-Depression era, and the original series was all about the modern-day Duttons set between 2018 and 2024.

This shared timeline between the Kayce and Beth spinoffs introduces opportunities for narrative overlap. Characters could intersect in ways that were previously constrained by the franchise’s historical jumps.

Taylor Sheridan Continues to Expand His ‘Yellowstone’ Universe
The transition of Kayce’s story to CBS underscores the “Yellowstone” franchise’s non-stop momentum, even after the end of the flagship series. With the potential to reach a vast network audience, this spinoff could redefine the franchise’s scale and build on the success of “1923” season 2, which just saw a whopping 146% ratings increase.

Show details and an official premiere date remain under wraps. However, the move to network television and the promise of cross-series connections signal almost guaranteed success.

Meanwhile, Sheridan has other franchise projects in the works. In addition to Beth and Rip’s sequel, there is also “The Madison,” another modern-day spinoff starring Michelle Pfeiffer. That show is set to debut later this year.

The “Yellowstone” universe will continue to expand as it moves beyond the original tale of the Dutton Ranch. Additional spinoffs like “6666” and “1944” remain in development. But the focus on concurrent storytelling suggests a shift toward a more interconnected narrative web.

“Yellowstone” is now streaming on Peacock. The rest of the Sheridanverse is available on Paramount Plus.

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