Taylor Sheridan’s American television miniseries, 1883, premiered on Paramount on December 19, 2021. It is the first of numerous prequels to Sheridan’s Yellowstone, detailing how the Duttons got the land that became the Yellowstone Ranch.
1883 Plot
The Duttons are the main protagonists in Yellowstone, managing the most significant tract of cow land in the United States from their domestic base in Montana. Have you ever questioned how the Dutton family could seize that land, becoming the power brokers? 1883 has the answer to it.
The prequel series follows the Dutton family in 1883 as they travel west via the Great Plains to the final stronghold of wild America. The series is taken into consideration as a stark depiction of Western expansion. It’s also an in-depth study of one family fleeing poverty looking for a higher life in Montana, America’s promised land.
1883 Recaps
Here’s a description for each episode up until 1883, along with links to our recaps:
Episode 1 of “1883”
It follows the Dutton family’s westward adventure across the last wilderness of America. James arrives in Texas, where he and his relatives put together to go across the Great Plains in quest of a new home and the promise of opportunity.”
Episode 2 of 1883, “Behind Us, a Cliff”
Thomas and Shea enlist James and a few neighborhood cowboys to corral a herd of cattle. As they start their journey, the caravan encounters numerous risks they’ll face along the way.
Episode 3 of 1833 “River”
James disagrees with Shea and Thomas on a critical preference. When an accusation is made, tensions develop within the camp. Elsa starts to flirt with a cowboy.
Episode 4 of 1883, “The Crossing”
The company faces the daunting challenge of crossing the river with their carts and provisions. Thomas and Noemi become closer. Read a detailed recap of 1883 episode 4 here.
The group faces the challenges again while crossing the river with their carts and provisions. Thomas and Noemi develop closeness.
Episode 5 of 1883, “The Fangs of Freedom”
Shea and Thomas deal with the aftermath of the river crossing, but there is little time to mourn and many barriers on their way. “Elsa and Ennis have some romantic moments.
Episode 6 of 1833,” Boring the Devil”
In the episode “Boring the Devil” from 1883, Shea assists Elsa in dealing with her loss. The gang travels across another river and prepares to enter Indian land. Thomas buys Noemi a gift. Read WTW’s summary of episode 6 from 1883.
Episode 7 of 1883, “Lightning Yellow Hair”
Elsa makes an unlikely friend; the group faces a harrowing challenge from mother nature; the camp searches for one of their own.” Read WTW’s summary of episode 7 from 1883.
Episode 8 of 1883, “The Weep of Surrender”
Elsa makes a significant decision. Shea’s worries grow as winter approaches.” Read WTW’s summary of episode 8 from 1883.
Episode 9 of 1883 “Racing Clouds”
A misunderstanding is leading towards a battle with severe consequences.” Read WTW’s summary of episode 9 from 1883.
Episode 10 of 1833, “This is Not Your Heaven”
In episode 10 of “This Is Not Your Heaven” from 1883, James and Margaret must make a difficult decision. Shea and Thomas take a daring step to assist one of their own.” Read WTW’s summary of episode 10 from 1883.
Star 1833 Cast
Sam Elliott as Shea Brennan
- Former Union Army captain who leads the wagon train.
- Brennan’s wife Helen and daughter die of smallpox before the expedition.
- Brennan acts as the rugged leader, reminding members of the danger and tragedy they will face.
Tim McGraw as James Dillard Dutton
- Acted as a Captain in the Confederate States Army during the Civil War.
- Joined the wagon train with his family after meeting Brennan and Thomas.
Faith Hill as Margaret Dutton
- John Dutton III’s great-grandmother and the matriarch of the family.
- Travels via train from Tennessee to Fort Worth.
Isabel May as Elsa Dutton
- The 17-year-old daughter of James and Margaret Dutton.
- Hardened during the journey west, he becomes a skilled survivalist and cowgirl.
LaMonica Garrett as Thomas
- Pinkerton agent and veteran U.S. Army sergeant.
- Helps dissuade Shea from suicide.
Marc Rissmann as Josef
- A German immigrant who aids the expedition.
Audie Rick as John Dutton Sr.
- Young boy at the beginning of the journey.
Eric Nelsen as Ennis
- The young cowboy who escorts the group.
James Landry Hébert as Wade
- Lead cowboy.
Noah Le Gros as Colton
- An experienced cowboy is joining the group on the Texas side of the Red River.
Guest Stars in “The Dutton Family”
- Billy Bob Thornton as Marshal Jim Courtright.
- Tom Hanks, as General George Meade, consoles James Dutton in a flashback to the Battle of Antietam.
- Graham Greene as Spotted Eagle, a Crow elder who guides James to Paradise Valley.
- Dawn Olivieri as Claire Dutton, James Dutton’s widowed sister, who dies by suicide after losing her only child, Mary Abel.
- Emma Malouff as Mary Abel Dutton, Claire’s daughter, who dies from a bullet wound during an attack.
- Rita Wilson is Carolyn, a kind storekeeper at Doan’s Crossing.
- Taylor Sheridan as Charles “Charlie” Goodnight, a rancher hunting cattle thieves.
Crossovers and Sequels
Paramount has announced plans for more episodes of the limited series 1883, which was initially presented as a 10-hour movie with an ending. However, additional episodes for season one will not be happening, and the series will be succeeded by the sequel show 1932, later renamed 1923. The previously announced Lawmen: Bass Reeves would be a spinoff series to 1883, but this more extended title was later dropped, and the series was confirmed to no longer take place in the Yellowstone universe.
To introduce the new series 1883 to viewers, Tim McGraw and Faith Hill appeared as James and Margaret Dutton in flashback scenes during the fourth season of Yellowstone. The first episode, “Half the Money,” showed James Dutton and his sons encountering starving Native Americans. The eighth episode, “No Kindness for the Coward,” featured Margaret Dutton and her sons waiting for her husband and father to return from a dangerous chase of horse thieves.
A month before the premiere of 1923, Paramount+ released a trailer with Elsa, voiced by Isabel May, as the narrator. Actor LaMonica Garrett hosted the behind-the-scenes documentary 1923: Inside the Series.
How to Watch 1833
You’ll need a Paramount Network subscription if you have never seen 1883 and want to watch it when it premiered on television in the summer of 2023. The cable channel is available through standard pay-TV subscription plans and live TV streaming platforms like FuboTV, Hulu with Live TV, Sing TV, and YouTube TV.
If you want new episodes to come out every week, you can watch the entire series right now on Paramount Plus.
