Beyoncé’s planned trilogy contains three studio albums, beginning with Renaissance.
Renaissance, released in 2022, is officially described as the first act of a three-part project. The album’s title and presentation therefore identify it as the opening installment rather than a standalone series with an unspecified number of parts.
The second act is Cowboy Carter, released on March 29, 2024. Its musical world draws on country, Americana, folk, blues, and related traditions while also examining how Black artists have shaped American music. Together, the two released acts show a deliberate movement across genres and historical influences.
The trilogy’s total is three, not two, even though only two acts had been released by October 2026 in the information used here. The numbering also explains why Renaissance is sometimes discussed as “Act I” and Cowboy Carter as “Act II.” The final installment is the third act of the planned project.