Netflix's stellar 'Yellowstone' replacement officially returns in just 1 week

One of the biggest fumbles of the streaming era was the rejection of Taylor Sheridan's magnum opus series, Yellowstone, by several networks and streaming platforms. The show emerged as the defining hit of Paramount+, and has spawned a franchise that thrives to this day. Paramount+ also benefited greatly from giving Sheridan free rein to create numerous other shows, all of which became hits in their own right. The TV mogul is now set to begin a new creative partnership with NBCUniversal, bringing his time with Paramount to an end. Over these last few years, the streamers that once passed on Yellowstone have invested heavily in producing their own replacement shows. One of them is set to return with a second season this week on Netflix.

Netflix has produced the hit Western series American Primeval, starring Taylor Kitsch and Betty Gilpin. More recently, it released a new version of Little House on the Prairie, which has already been renewed for a second season. But both these titles are classic Westerns that have more in common with Yellowstone's two prequel series, 1883 and 1923, than with Yellowstone itself. Not every attempt made by Netflix to mimic Yellowstone's signature blend of family drama and crime — the genre has been termed "oat opera" — has succeeded. The Waterfront, starring Holt McCallany, was canceled after one season.

Netflix's 'Yellowstone' Replacement Is Set for Round 2

Ransom Canyon, however, was renewed despite mixed reviews. Starring Minka Kelly and Josh Duhamel, the show will return with an eight-episode second season on July 23. Ransom Canyon aired a 10-episode first season in 2025. It now holds a 45% score on the aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, where the consensus reads, "Inviting one too many unflattering comparisons to more compelling dramas, Ransom Canyon is a serviceable binge for fans of rustic soap operas but a middling example of the genre." Meanwhile, the Yellowstone franchise expanded this year with the sequel series Marshals and Dutton Ranch, both of which emerged as major hits. Stay tuned to Collider for more updates.