FERRIS, Texas — Ferris, a small city about 20 miles south of Dallas known historically for the Ferris Brick Company, announced this week that it will host production for a new Yellowstone spinoff titled Rio Palo.
City officials said the series — described as a Yellowstone spinoff tied to Taylor Sheridan’s expanding universe of shows — will be filmed at multiple locations around Ferris. One undisclosed site in the city will serve as the “central home of the show’s lead characters,” officials said. A start date for filming has not been announced, and Paramount has not yet provided additional details.
Rio Palo, which translates from Spanish roughly as “stick river,” has no publicly known storyline or clear connection to existing Yellowstone characters. The announcement is notable because the project had not been publicly reported before Ferris made the news. Taylor Sheridan’s productions have increasingly used North Texas locations: he is currently filming Season 2 of Landman in Fort Worth and the surrounding Tarrant County area, and other Sheridan-related spinoffs — including projects tied to characters such as Beth and Rip and the Four Sixes Ranch concept — have been in development.
“This is a proud and fun moment for Ferris,” city manager Brooks Williams said in a statement. “Ferris helped build Texas and the nation. Ferris bricks are in streets, schools, and courthouses across this country. But that is just part of who we are. Ferris has never settled for being one thing. This city has evolved, adapted, and grown. Paramount’s decision to film here is one more chapter in that story. It affirms that a place with roots can still move forward, that a city shaped by history can also shape what comes next. We are proud of what this means for Ferris and proud to show others what we already know. We are just getting started.”
What we know and what’s still unknown
– Known: Ferris will host production for a Yellowstone spinoff titled Rio Palo; multiple city locations will be used; one site will be the main home for lead characters.
– Unknown: the show’s plot, how Rio Palo connects to the Yellowstone universe (if at all), the identity of lead characters, exact filming schedule and start date, and details from Paramount.
Potential local impacts and context
– Economic and promotional boost: Film productions commonly bring short-term economic activity (local hires, lodging, catering) and longer-term tourism interest to host towns. Ferris officials framed the announcement as a point of civic pride that highlights the city’s evolving identity beyond its brickmaking legacy.
– Visibility for North Texas: Sheridan’s recent and ongoing projects have frequently used North Texas locations, which has helped raise the region’s profile for production work and on-screen exposure.
Commentary and next steps for readers
– City residents and businesses should watch Ferris municipal channels for filming permits, street closures, vendor opportunities and public viewing guidelines.
– For followers of the Yellowstone universe: keep an eye on studio announcements and casting notices; the show’s connections to established characters (if any) may appear later through official channels.
Quick take
Ferris has been chosen as a filming location for Rio Palo, a previously unreported Yellowstone spinoff. The announcement is an early win for the city’s efforts to diversify its identity and economy, but many production details remain undisclosed. The project follows a trend of Taylor Sheridan projects choosing North Texas as a filming hub, and it could bring short-term economic benefits and longer-term visibility to Ferris.
Hopeful perspective
This moment positions Ferris to showcase local history and businesses to a national audience and could catalyze future cultural and economic opportunities for the community as filming proceeds.