Years after debuting, the first Yellowstone spinoff is trending on Netflix's global charts. Although it looks to be the case that Yellowstone quietly ended with season 5, the franchise is still going strong. There's the Beth and Rip spinoff, with Kelly Reilly and Cole Ha reprising their popular roles, in addition to The Madison, which will feature the likes of Michelle Pfeiffer, Patrick J. Adams, and Matthew Fox. There have also been reports of a third spinoff, albeit there are no plot or casting details about the project as of now.

The strength of the franchise leans on the fact that, with a generally shared premise, and some of the same themes and core interests, it is a reliable bet to launch a new Yellowstone drama. The franchise has become one of the most popular and valuable television properties in recent years. This was proven back in December 2021, when franchise creator Taylor Sheridan launched the very first Yellowstone spinoff. Now, more than three years after premiering, that spinoff is making waves on Netflix.

1883 Makes An Appearance On Netflix's Global Charts

The Show Features A Strong Cast

The cast of 1883, continuing the tradition set by the original Yellowstone and Kevin Costner, featured a large ensemble led by veteran actor Sam Elliott.

The Western drama was a hit for Paramount+ upon its debut and seems to be establishing the pattern on Netflix, as the streamer has unveiled its Global Top 10 for the week of March 10 to March 16. It reveals that 1883's single season was the seventh most-viewed show of the week, gathering 2.9 million views and 26.8 hours viewed. The prequel was in the Top 10 in 34 countries, including Canada, Brazil, Argentina, , , and others. It should be noted that in the U.S., 1883 is exclusively streaming on Paramount+.

The global list was topped by the acclaimed four-episode limited series Adolescence, which nabbed 93 million hours viewed. Others in the Top 10 included Zero Day, starring Robert De Niro, Running Point starring Kate Hudson, Beauty in Black, and the March 10 episode of WWE Raw.

What Is 1883 About?

It Delved Into The Dutton Family History

With a ing 1883 cast that also included Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, Billy Bob Thornton, Isabel May, LaMonica Garrett, Audie Rick, Marc Rissmann, Eric Nelsen, and James Landry Hébert, the prequel put a particular focus on James Dillard Dutton (McGraw) and his wife Margaret (Hill) as they represent the center of the post-Civil War Duttons. James and Margaret are the great-grandparents of John Dutton III, played by Costner in the main Yellowstone series, which provides the connective tissue between the two dramas.

The ten-episode prequel chronicles the Duttons and their travels in search of a better life, starting with their journey through the Great Plains. It zeroes in on their hopes of reaching what is deemed as the last bastion of untamed America. Positioning itself as a stark retelling of Western expansion and a study of one family fleeing from poverty, the Western drew favorable but somewhat muted responses.

1883 hails from MTV Entertainment Studios, alongside 101 Studios and Bosque Ranch Productions. It's executive produced by Sheridan, John Linson, Art Linson, David C. Glasser, Ron Burkle, and Bob Yari.

On Rotten Tomatoes, 1883 sits at 89% based on 27 reviews. The audience score is similarly sturdy, with 76% approval. The ensemble, which included special guest appearances from Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson, received praise, and Elliott was lauded for his performance as the rugged Shea Brennan. Some critics found that the prequel was too formulaic and may not appeal to viewers who aren't already drawn to Westerns.

Paramount executives had hoped for 1883 season 2, but Sheridan has made it clear in interviews that the prequel was never meant to go beyond ten episodes. Still, for new viewers curious to check it out, the show maintains the overall ethos of Yellowstone while leaning into something a little more serious and stark in a way that goes in line with the setting.

Our Take On 1883's Success

It's No Surprise That Sheridan's Prequel Found A Bigger Audience

When the prequel debuted on Paramount+, it became one of the streamer's most successful premieres. That distinction has since been supplanted by other dramas, many of which were created by Sheridan, such as Tulsa King and the Yellowstone spinoff 1923. Considering the established appeal of Sheridan's works overall, it's no surprise that global viewers would follow 1883 once it gained the benefit of ing what is the leading streaming service on Netflix.

Source: Netflix