Fans of the Yellowstone universe are wondering if the loyal ranch hand Lloyd Pierce will saddle up for one of the franchise’s new shows. With the main series concluded and several spin-offs in development, the future of Forrie J. Smith’s fan-favorite character is a popular topic of speculation. While Lloyd’s story was left open, no official plans have confirmed his return.
Who Is Lloyd Pierce In The Yellowstone Series?
Lloyd Pierce is a seasoned ranch hand at the Yellowstone Dutton Ranch. Played by Forrie J. Smith, Lloyd is known for his quiet loyalty, hard work, and steady presence amidst the constant conflicts surrounding the Dutton family. He serves as a senior figure among the ranch’s cowboys, often offering a sense of tradition and stability.
His character did not receive a definitive ending in the final season of Yellowstone. Lloyd was last seen continuing his work on the ranch, leaving his personal storyline open to future possibilities. This open-ended nature is a key reason fans speculate he could appear again.
The Expanding Yellowstone Universe And Upcoming Shows
The world of Yellowstone is growing, with several new projects confirmed or rumored to be in development. This expansion creates potential new homes for characters from the original series.
The only confirmed new series with solid details is The Madison. Originally referred to as 2024, this show features Michelle Pfeiffer leading a New York family that moves to Montana’s Madison River Valley. Filming has taken place, and it is expected to premiere, possibly in late 2025.
Other reported projects are still in early stages:
- 1944: Announced as a prequel in 2023, this show would follow the Dutton family in the World War II era. No casting, plot, or production schedule has been officially released. Actor Brandon Sklenar, who played Spencer Dutton in 1923, has expressed interest in returning as an older version of his character for this period.
- A Beth & Rip Series: Reports have suggested a potential spin-off focusing on Kelly Reilly and Cole Hauser’s characters. However, no official confirmation or development details have followed the initial rumors.
- A Kayce Dutton Series: In March 2025, outlets reported that Luke Grimes might star in a CBS procedural series centered on Kayce Dutton, separate from the other planned shows. This has also not been officially confirmed.
It is important to note that shows like 1944 and the character-focused spin-offs remain unconfirmed by the network or creator Taylor Sheridan. The sale of Paramount to new owners has also introduced uncertainty regarding budgets and priorities for future franchise projects.
Why Fans Think Lloyd Pierce Could Return
Several factors fuel fan speculation about Lloyd’s comeback. First and foremost, his character is alive and his story was not concluded. In television, this always leaves the door open for a return.
Some fans also point to social media activity from actor Forrie J. Smith. He has made posts that viewers interpret as hints about future appearances, though these are not explicit confirmations.
The desire for familiar faces in new stories is strong. Many fans hope for cameo appearances from original Yellowstone characters to help bridge the old series with the new expansions of the universe.
The Case Against A Guaranteed Return
Despite the speculation, there are strong reasons to temper expectations. Most significantly, there has been no official announcement from Paramount, MTV Entertainment Studios, or creator Taylor Sheridan about Lloyd Pierce joining any new show.
Details about the spin-offs themselves are still limited. Without confirmed plots for shows like 1944, it is unclear how a modern-day character like Lloyd would fit into a historical prequel. Even for contemporary-set series like The Madison, no casting information has connected Forrie J. Smith to the project.
Entertainment reports that discuss Lloyd’s potential return consistently state that it is based on fan speculation and has not been verified. As one analysis noted, discussion about Lloyd appearing in new series is, for now, “purely hypothetical”.
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