How John And Margaret Dutton Are Related In Yellowstone And Y: 1883

The Dutton family has been through a lot on "Yellowstone." Even if you've only seen a few episodes of the Paramount Network series, there's a good chance you've seen the family fight for their lives and battle various legal dealings to retain the rights to their land. A lot of unscrupulous characters clearly wish to get their hands on the all-encompassing Dutton Ranch, but when you mess with John Dutton (Kevin Costner) and his kids, you get the full force of the bull by the horns. 

It turns out that kind of tenacious attitude isn't a modern addition to the fictitious family. The Duttons have been hardcore and rugged for generations now, as evidenced by the latest spinoff series, "1883." The prequel picks up with James (Tim McGraw) and Margaret Dutton (Faith Hill) in the Old West, who migrate from Texas to Montana as part of a caravan. 

While danger lurks behind every corner of the unexplored frontier, fans know the series eventually has to tie into "Yellowstone" with the discovery of the Dutton Ranch. But is there a chance we'll see a young John Dutton pop up on the series? Unless there are some major time jumps, don't expect it.

Outside of a brief flashback sequence on "Yellowstone," "1883" serves as the proper introduction to the true patriarch and matriarch of the Dutton family, namely James and Margaret Dutton. The couple has three children total, although we've only been introduced to two so far on "1883," and they are Elsa (Isabel May) and John Dutton I (Audie Rick). The John Dutton we know from "Yellowstone" is actually the third in his lineage to carry that name, which would make him the great-grandson of Margaret and James.

The two may be separated by nearly a century, but you can see the similarities between John and his great-grandparents. James Dutton has a no-nonsense attitude toward him that calls to mind the John we know from the earlier seasons of "Yellowstone." However, while James may appear gruff and tough on the exterior, you can tell there's a softness on the inside, especially when it comes to his children. That love toward family has carried on for generations, as evidenced in the myriad of ways John looks out for his own offspring. 

That's not the only familial similarity to be found. Elsa and Beth Dutton (Kelly Reilly) share a lot in common, particularly when it comes to the fact they were both raised by boys and can have very non-lady-like attitudes. "Yellowstone" and "1883" are companion series in the truest sense of the phrase, and watching one certainly helps with gaining a greater appreciation for the other.