1883 star Isabel May calls Yellowstone’s ever-expanding Dutton family tree “confusing.” Country singer Tim McGraw starred as James Dutton in the Yellowstone prequel show as he and his family are called upon to lead various groups of immigrants on a perilous journey across the American frontier to Oregon. May portrayed Elsa Dutton, James and Margaret Dutton’s (Faith Hill) precocious 17-year-old daughter who narrated the family’s adventure.
In honor of her show’s Paramount Network re-release, The Hollywood Reporter caught up with May to discuss 1883 and the larger Yellowstone franchise. With the subsequent prequel spinoff 1923 further expanding the Dutton family tree, the actor admitted she remains baffled by trying to keep track of the various generations across the multiple shows. See what May shared below:
I pay zero attention to any of that, it’s too confusing to me. You could spend your time theorizing, all the power to you. I’d rather just be told! Eventually we all will.
How The Dutton Family Tree Continues to Expand
Since Sheridan introduced audiences to the family in the popular Paramount Network modern Western series Yellowstone, the writer-director has further expanded the franchise through multiple spinoffs, greatly extending the Dutton family tree. John Dutton III’s (Kevin Costner) children in Yellowstone represent the sixth generation of Duttons with Jamie’s (Wes Bentley) son Jamie Dutton II and Kayce (Luke Grimes) and Monica’s (Kelsey Asbille) son Tate (Brecken Merrill) representing the seventh.
1923 saw James’ brother Jacob Dutton (Harrison Ford) step in to manage the ranch after both James and Margaret passed away, and subsequently attempting to keep the land from falling into the hands of immigrant sheep herders and powerful businessmen. The Duttons would underestimate the strength of their union resulting in the death of John Dutton I (James Badge Dale), survived by his son Jack (Darren Mann), a young man who has yet to be confirmed as the father of John Dutton II. Spencer Dutton’s (Brandon Sklenar) marriage to Alexandra (Julia Schlaepfer) may also lead to another expansion of the family tree as their lineage remains unknown.
The Duttons and the Yellowstone universe will continue to branch out with the upcoming Matthew McConaughey-led sequel series following Costner’s much-publicized departure. Details regarding the show’s plot and McConaughey’s character remain under wraps, though with a third Yellowstone prequel titled 1944 in development after 1883 and 1923, the Dutton family may see yet another few branches sprout from its broadening tree.