Is the Dutton family saga, as presented in Yellowstone and its prequel series 1883 and 1923, merely a television show, or a sweeping generational epic that delves into the heart of the American West?

Fans of the Dutton family saga, spanning across three critically acclaimed seriesYellowstone, 1883, and 1923have come to recognize that the narrative transcends mere entertainment. It's a vast tapestry, interwoven with storylines that stretch across centuries and trace the evolution of a single, ambitious family. This family, the Duttons, have battled against the odds to maintain their grip on their Montana ranch, navigating the complexities of their turbulent history from the pioneering days of 1883 to the modern challenges depicted in Yellowstone. The series, and its creators, have expanded the story to include the origin story, with 1883 and 1923, with more installments (1944, 6666, and the Madison, plus spinoffs with Beth, Rip and Kayce) on the horizon.

Dutton Family Member	Actor/Actress	Series	Character Description
James Dutton	Tim McGraw	1883	The original patriarch of the Dutton family. A farmer from Tennessee who leads his family west in search of a new life.
Margaret Dutton	Faith Hill	1883	James Dutton's wife. Strong and resilient, she is the heart of the Dutton family.
John Dutton Sr.	James Badge Dale	1923	Son of James and Margaret Dutton. His shocking murder in 1923's first season creates a major plot point.
Elsa Dutton	Isabel May	1883	James and Margaret Dutton's daughter. Her coming-of-age story is central to the narrative.
John Dutton II	Dabney Coleman	Yellowstone	Appears in flashback episodes of Yellowstone, and is believed to be the son of Spencer.
Jacob Dutton	Harrison Ford	1923	Brother of James, and the head of the Dutton family in 1923.
Cara Dutton	Helen Mirren	1923	Jacob Dutton's wife, who is the matriarch of the family.
John Dutton III	Kevin Costner	Yellowstone	The modern-day patriarch of the Dutton family, fighting to protect their ranch.
Beth Dutton	Kelly Reilly	Yellowstone	John Dutton III's daughter, known for her fierce intelligence and determination.
Rip Wheeler	Cole Hauser	Yellowstone	The Dutton family's loyal ranch foreman and Beth Dutton's husband.
Kayce Dutton	Luke Grimes	Yellowstone	John Dutton III's son, balancing family loyalty with personal aspirations.
Spencer Dutton	Brandon Sklenar	1923	Son of James Dutton, who will likely become John Dutton II's father.

Reference: Paramount Plus

Tracing the Dutton family lineage is no simple task. The saga spans three series Yellowstone, 1883, and 1923 each depicting different generations of the Duttons fighting to hold onto their land. While the original Yellowstone officially ended with its fifth and final season, the Dutton family's story is far from over. Season 2 of 1923 has just finished, and at least two more spinoffs 1944 and others are planned. The conclusion of 1923 reshaped the Dutton family tree and redefined what we know about the familys past. With 1944 on the horizon, even more gaps in the lineage may be filled in soon.

The evolution of the Yellowstone universe is undeniable. The original series, which debuted in 2018, has since expanded into a sprawling narrative encompassing the Dutton family's origins and their enduring struggle to protect their Montana ranch. Now, in March 2025, as the story continues to unfold, many wonder about the intricacies of the family tree. The Dutton family saga, spanning nearly 150 years, has captivated audiences through multiple series that chronicle their complex and often turbulent history. From the pioneering days of 1883 to the modern challenges depicted in Yellowstone, this remarkable family has fought to maintain their grip on their Montana ranch against all odds.

The question of how the Dutton family line progressed from James Dutton (played by Tim McGraw in 1883) to John Dutton III, portrayed by Kevin Costner in Yellowstone, is a central point of interest. Does the lineage run through James's son, John Dutton, and his son, Jack Dutton? Or does it involve other branches of the family tree?

Following the death of Elsa on the trail, John and his remaining family decided to settle in Montana, on what would one day become the famous Yellowstone Dutton Ranch. This is a complete guide to Yellowstone's Dutton family tree, including characters from 1883 and 1923, and how they're all related. Several generations of Duttons have been introduced in the Yellowstone universe, which helps viewers keep track of the complex family lineage. We've compiled the many generations of Duttons in the graphic below to help you keep track of the family lineage while watching the Yellowstone tv universe.

Explore the Dutton family saga, spanning nearly 150 years, from James and Margaret's westward journey to John Dutton III's modern legacy. Discover the challenges, victories, and connections that shaped the Yellowstone Ranch and its owners across generations. John Dutton Sr.'s (James Badge Dale) shocking murder in 1923's first season created a void in the family tree for three years, leading fans to speculate wildly about the future. The saga has captivated audiences, chronicling their complex and often turbulent history.

Between the Paramount Network series Yellowstone and its spinoffs 1883 and 1923, viewers have been introduced to several generations of the Dutton family. Even though Yellowstone may have ended with season 5, the Dutton family's story is still going strong. The second season of 1923 just finished, and more shows like 1944 are on the way. Discover how blood, betrayal, and land forged Americas most ruthless ranching empire.