Rio Palo: Taylor Sheridan’s Yellowstone spin-off to shoot in Ferris, Texas
Ferris, a small North Texas town about 50 miles from Fort Worth and 20 miles from downtown Dallas, has been picked as the primary shooting location for Rio Palo, a forthcoming Paramount+ series tied to the Yellowstone universe. The project was announced in an Aug. 7 press release from the city.
“This is a proud and fun moment for Ferris,” Ferris City Manager Brooks Williams said in the release. The production will be coordinated by King Street Productions, which has worked on Sheridan’s Paramount+ projects alongside his Bosque Ranch Productions, the city noted. The project aims to showcase Ferris to a national audience and attract local economic investment, highlighting the town’s charm, versatility and visual appeal.
Rio Palo is described as a spin-off of Yellowstone, though few details have been publicly released. The press material indicates that a central home location for the lead characters will be featured, with filming set to take place in various spots around Ferris.
Beyond Ferris, Rio Palo is also slated to shoot in Cleburne, Weatherford and Rio Vista later this month, with social media posts suggesting Mineral Wells as another filming site.
Rio Palo will join Sheridan’s expanding slate of Western spin-offs, including Dutton Ranch—featuring Cole Hauser and Kelly Reilly returning as Rip Wheeler and Beth Dutton—Y: Marshalls, which follows Kayce Dutton joining the U.S. Marshalls in Montana, and The Madison, which is planned for 2025. Sheridan has become a strong advocate for Texas as a filming destination and has recently leased multiple production studios in North Texas to support his growing lineup of shows.
What this means for Ferris and North Texas
– Economic and employment opportunities could rise as crews, cast, and ancillary services converge on the town.
– The project continues Texas’ push to become a nationwide hub for film and television production, potentially putting Ferris on the map for future productions.
– Sheridan’s expanding footprint in the region signals ongoing industry momentum and the potential for more high-profile projects to anchor local infrastructure and tourism.
Summary take: Rio Palo marks another chapter in Taylor Sheridan’s Texas-focused production strategy, leveraging Ferris as a primary home base while expanding filming across nearby towns. If successful, the series could boost local visibility and economic activity while reinforcing the state’s reputation as a premier location for big-scale westerns.
A note on tone: The announcement carries a positive outlook for Ferris, emphasizing community pride and long-term value from hosting a national-production project.
Potential angles for follow-up coverage
– Local economic impact assessments as production ramps up, including job creation and rental needs.
– Profiles of Ferris residents and how the town is preparing to welcome crews.
– A closer look at the other Texas locations (Cleburne, Weatherford, Rio Vista, Mineral Wells) and what they contribute to the Rio Palo aesthetic.
– How Rio Palo fits into Sheridan’s broader strategy of building a Texas-centered production ecosystem.