1923 Star Aminah Nieves Shares How Season 2 Honors Cole Brings Plenty

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At the conclusion of the initial season of “1923,” Aminah Nieves’ character, Teonna Rainwater, and Cole Brings Plenty‘s character, Pete Plenty Clouds, found fresh possibilities for themselves, and their burgeoning romantic tale was on the rise.

In the debut season of the popular spin-off series based on “Yellowstone,” Nieves’ character, Teonna (an Indigenous woman), experienced significant growth as she embarked on a dramatic escape from a 1923-set Catholic Church-run boarding school designed for assimilation. This institution was responsible for the abuse she endured.

The initial season of the “Yellowstone” spin-off series showcased Nieves’ character, Teonna, as she went through a transformative journey by escaping from an abusive boarding school in 1923 that was run by the Catholic Church and aimed at assimilating Indigenous people.

Following all her hardships, the season concluded with her meeting up with her father, portrayed by Michael Spears, and developing feelings for Pete Plenty Clouds, the son of a man who had aided her, played by the late Cole Brings Plenty. The closing scene showed the trio departing towards Wyoming, aiming to evade the priest (Sebastian Roché) and other pursuers from season two, which resumed after a gap of two years on Sunday.

Nieves explained to The Hollywood Reporter after the finale that the scene offered everyone a glimpse of her as a child, and it provided an opportunity for her inner child to emerge. Essentially, if she could experience that single moment, then all was well. Yes, she was leaving, but even for a brief instant, she could be herself, take a deep breath, and embrace someone who felt comfortably familiar.

Sadly, the actor who portrayed Pete Plenty Clouds, Cole Brings Plenty, passed away approximately two months after the season finale aired. Following reports of his disappearance following an alleged domestic violence incident, he was found deceased three days later in Kansas at the age of 27. The exact cause of his death remains undisclosed.

Cole is not only related to Mo Brings Plenty, who served as the American Indian affairs coordinator for both “1923” and “Yellowstone”, but he also portrays Mo in “Yellowstone”. In this series, he functions as Chief Thomas Rainwater’s right-hand man, a future relative to Teonna within the Yellowstone franchise family line.

It wasn’t until the second season of “1923,” premiered last weekend, that viewers learned how the Taylor Sheridan series would develop the character of Pete Plenty Clouds following Cole’s demise. The show started with a photo tribute to honor the late Cole, also known as “Coco.” As the episode progressed, it became apparent that the narrative would continue focusing on Pete and Teonna.

In Jeremy Gauna’s role instead of Cole, we find him portraying a significant character in the Native American community who fatally shot Isabel May’s Elsa Dutton (the narrator of “1923”). Most recently, Gauna can be seen in Netflix’s series “American Primeval.” The initial episode showcases Gauna as Pete, continuing his escape with Teonna. During a brief respite from their pursuers, the duo shares a romantic night under the stars to strengthen their relationship.

At first, I must admit, I felt a bit wounded to learn things would carry on in the same manner,” Nieves now confides in THR. “But as time passed, I realized and accepted, ‘This is simply how it’s meant to be.’

She went on, flashing a smile, “Cole… he was brimming with enthusiasm. That was my sibling, we spoke daily. He was thrilled about the prospect before him. With Jeremy, he managed to extend the same opportunity to someone else equally deserving.

Nieves shares that Gauna and Cole were acquainted, and they both paid tribute to the late actor. “Since Jeremy was also friends with Coco, it established a secure and nurturing environment right away. I believe he did an excellent job in honoring Coco. In my opinion, there couldn’t have been anyone else better for the task,” she notes.

Currently, the critic from 1923 is commending Sheridan for his storytelling decision to maintain their romantic arc in season two of “Pete Plenty Clouds”. She explains, “Reflecting on it now, I believe it was a smart move since Pete Plenty Clouds has so much to reveal. I can imagine Coco would have been disappointed if this wasn’t the case.”

This version tries to maintain the original structure and intent while making the language more conversational and easier to read for modern audiences.

In 2023, Nieves expressed optimism about how Teonna’s storyline in 1923 could contribute significantly to broader Native storytelling. She hoped that these narratives could stimulate deeper discussions within Indigenous communities concerning this somber chapter of U.S. history. As she put it, “It is a heavy burden, but I believe it’s our responsibility to bear it. It’s our responsibility to narrate and disseminate these stories. Because, unfortunately, many people still don’t acknowledge our existence. And often, they choose to overlook the fact that we are here. So, I feel a strong sense of obligation to share our tales, and to be a voice.

As the exciting adventures of Teonna unfold in season two, she shares her optimistic wishes with the vast number of viewers tuning in. The highly anticipated season two premiere shattered records on Paramount+, making it their most-watched original premiere ever, with a staggering 5.4 million viewers.

In Hollywood, it’s not common to see individuals such as us able to deeply express love and fully embrace it,” she explains. “Therefore, her youth and the journey she’s been on in season one, coupled with the chance to trust again, makes her so pure, innocent, awkward, and ready to explore these feelings in a body that has endured much – this is truly remarkable. It was an extraordinary experience, without a doubt.

You can now stream the premier episode of “1923” in its second season, and every Sunday, you’ll find new episodes available exclusively on Paramount+.

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2025-02-26 22:25