Where to start withYellowstone
3 versions · originally a series, 2018
Themes: Land Disputes, Family Loyalty, Wealth and Power, Legacy, Preservation vs. Progress.
Start with Yellowstone (Taylor Sheridan, 2018) — the series. Yellowstone exists in 3 versions across media, beginning as a series in 2018; each is ranked below by what it does best.
The saga explores the brutal cost of legacy and survival for the Dutton family across the rugged Montana landscape.
✦ Most fans start here
Yellowstone (2018)
The original tv
✦ Start hereYellowstone
Taylor Sheridan · Series · 2018
Yellowstone (2018) serves as the definitive origin, offering a gritty, high-stakes television drama that establishes the Dutton family's desperate fight to protect their ranch from encroaching external threats.
2026 series
Marshals
Spencer Hudnut · Series · 2026
Marshals (2026) shifts the focus to Kayce Dutton’s transition into federal law enforcement, providing a specialized look at how his unique military and ranching background applies to modern justice.
Inspired by
Yellowstone
Gabriel "Gator" Guilbeau with Kim Laidlaw · Book
Yellowstone (book) acts as a companion piece, offering fans a unique perspective on the world through the lens of those inspired by the ranch’s culture and the broader Dutton legend.
Common questions
Is Yellowstone based on a book?
Yes, the television series Yellowstone is inspired by the literary work Yellowstone. While the show expands on the themes and setting, the book serves as the foundational source material for the narrative world depicted on screen.
How does Marshals relate to Yellowstone?
Marshals is a 2026 television series that shares the same creative universe as Yellowstone. It functions as an extension of the franchise, allowing viewers to explore additional stories and characters within the established setting first introduced in the original Yellowstone series.
Should I read the Yellowstone book before watching the show?
Reading the Yellowstone book provides deeper context for the story, but it is not strictly required to understand the plot of the Yellowstone television series. Both formats offer distinct experiences, and you can enjoy the television adaptation independently of the source material.
What is the release order for the Yellowstone franchise?
The Yellowstone franchise began with the release of the Yellowstone book, followed by the 2018 Yellowstone television series. The most recent addition to this universe is the 2026 television series titled Marshals, which continues to expand the scope of the original story.