Yellowstone creator Taylor Sheridan has slowly become one of the most prominent western storytellers in Hollywood over the past decade. From his modern western films Hell or High Water and Wind River to creating his incredibly popular Paramount Network series, it seems like everyone is buzzing about Sheridan. In the midst of working on his Kevin Costner-led drama, Sheridan has announced that not only is he working on multiple Yellowstone spinoffs, including a third prequel series, but he purchased a massive Texas ranch where one of the shows will be based -- it's known as the Four Sixes Ranch.
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The Four Sixes (or 6666) is one of the biggest ranches in the entire state of Texas and is actually a working ranch outside of its appearances in Sheridan's many TV projects. It has quite a history of its own which will most likely play a role in the new series as well. Here's everything to know about the new Yellowstone spinoff and its historic Texax setting.
History of Four Sixes Ranch
On Jan. 25, 2022, the Fort Worth Star Telegram reported that the historic ranch sold for nearly $200 million and was purchased by a group led by Sheridan.
The historic 6666 Ranch was founded by Samuel "Burk" Burnett back in 1870 when Burk purchased 100 heads of cattle and gave them the 6666 brand. The massive ranch, which is bigger than the entire city of San Antonio, stayed in the Burnett family until Burk's great-granddaughter Anne Windfohr Marion passed away in 2020. Based on instructions left in her will, the ranch was put up for sale for a whopping $347.7 million across the three ranch properties that cover land outside of Lubbock, Amarillo, and the Texas Panhandle.
"Sheridan is the face of the buyer group," broker Chas. S. Middleton told The Texas Spur.
He explained that the new owners plan to continue operating the land as a working ranch and to offer continued employment to all current employees. "It's all one deal, 266,000 acres with all three ranches . . . cattle, horses, equipment, furniture, brand, name, everything."
Though Sheridan, also contacted by The Texas Spur, didn't comment specifically on the sale, he did honor the ranching industry in Texas and alluded to including the land in his popular TV series.
"I can't comment on a pending transaction but I will say this: the legacy of the 6666 Ranch and Miss Marion's vision for the ranch are vital not only to the ranch itself, but the rich heritage of ranching in Texas."
He added, "This legacy is so important to me I chose to highlight it in the upcoming season of 'Yellowstone' and will continue to further the legacy and preserve its operations in a manner consistent with that great vision."
What is 'Yellowstone: 6666' about?
The Four Sixes Ranch was first incorporated into the Dutton family's story on Yellowstone in season 4 when John Dutton sent Jimmy down south with his horse trader Travis (played by Sheridan) to learn how to be a real man. His experiment worked, and Jimmy returned at the end of the season with a new love in his life and a newfound respect for himself, ranching and everything the Duttons had done for him. John was so touched he told him that his debt for covering all of his medical expenses should be considered paid, and he could go live his life away from the Yellowstone if he wanted to. What little we saw of Jimmy in the first half of season five proved he's loving life down there away from the Duttons and all their chaos.
Seems likely that when Sheridan dives deeper into the ranch outside of brief glimpses on Yellowstone, we'll learn much more about how the historic ranch operates the same today as it did over a century ago, raising some of the finest cattle and quarter horses in the world.
Here's the official plot according to IMDB: "Founded when Comanches still ruled West Texas, no ranch in America is more steeped in the history of the West than the 6666. Still operating as it did two centuries before, and encompassing an entire county, the 6666 is where the rule of law and the laws of nature merge in a place where the most dangerous thing one does is the next thing. The 6666 is synonymous with the merciless endeavor to raise the finest horses and livestock in the world, and ultimately, where world class cowboys are born and made."
Where is 'Yellowstone: 6666' filming?
There's no word on whether production on the series has started yet, but similar to many of the other Yellowstone projects, it will be filmed onside at the Four Sixes.
In an interview with Cowboys & Indians Magazine, Sheridan discussed moving back to his home state with his wife and the importance of Texas storytelling today.
"Being a Texan today and what it means to live in Texas?—?there's a responsibility that comes with it, in that you really do represent the entire state," he says in the piece. "Everybody in Texas always represents the state. And so, there's a sense of class and confidence that I think every Texan seems to embody. And along with that, a respect for others, regardless of whether they agree with you or not. You respect their ability to disagree or agree."
When will 'Yellowstone: 6666' be released?
No official release date has been provided, but it's presumed that the new series will air in late 2023 or early 2024. It was announced during the Paramount Network upfront presentation that the show would be moving from the network's streaming network, Paramount+, to broadcast like its predecessor Yellowstone.
Who's in the cast?
Nothing has been confirmed yet, but there are rumors that Jefferson White will lead the cast as Jimmy. Last we saw Jimmy Hurdstrom on Yellowstone, he left his friends and the Duttons behind in Montana and was working at the Four Sixes with his new wife Emily. It's assumed they will both be integral parts of the spinoff, considering they already live and work at the titular ranch.
It's also a possibility that some of the ranch hands who were going to head south following the Yellowstone season 5 mid season finale could show up at the Texas ranch. Half the ranch hands were sent down to the Lone Star State with Rip so Teeter, Ryan, Walker, and even Rip Wheeler himself could be included in the spinoff.
This article was previously published in June of 2021. It was updated on March 20, 2022.
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