Harrison Ford and Helen Mirren Spill Secrets About ‘1923’ Season 2 You Won’t Want to Miss!

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Harrison Ford and Helen Mirren have become so well-synchronized while portraying a married couple on screen, they seem to be completing each other’s thoughts.

In the small screens once more, the celebrated actors are back for the second season of “1923,” debuting its first episode on Sunday night. Discussing their continuing story in the prequel to “Yellowstone,” they mentioned that, despite a two-year gap between filming sessions, they will resume playing Jacob and Cara Dutton as if no time has passed.

Upon our return, we were eager and brimming with enthusiasm, unsure of what lay ahead or how it would all conclude, but filled with immense curiosity,” Mirren expressed during a joint Zoom interview with Ford on their reunion at the Montana set and the Dutton family’s Yellowstone ranch, as reported by The Hollywood Reporter.

1923’s future beyond season two on Paramount+ hasn’t been officially announced, but when the series was initially conceptualized by creator Taylor Sheridan, he had a complete two-season storyline planned out. Actor Brandon Sklenar, who portrays Spencer Dutton, shared that he’s known about the season two conclusion since the start, describing it as “one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever read in my life.” However, stars Tom Ford and Helen Mirren remained tight-lipped about future developments in a show where characters’ fates could be uncertain amidst the dangers of their early 20th century tale.

1923, as it delves into the Dutton family’s next generation (post the 1883 prequel), Ford and Mirren discuss with The Hollywood Reporter why they admire Sheridan’s unwavering vision and his talent for creating robust female characters, in addition to their captivating on-screen romance.

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What was it like for you when you went back to work on the set after a lengthy gap between seasons one and two, and what were your feelings as you resumed playing the Dutton characters again?

INSTRUCTIONS: First, wear the hat, then the boots, then the spurs, and finally approach your horse.

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To start, don the hat, next the boots, followed by the spurs, and finally, make your way to your horse.

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First, put on the hat, secondly, the boots, thirdly, the spurs, and lastly, greet your horse.

HELEN MIRREN: …you enter the house, finding it unchanged from when we last left it. The house sits firmly on a genuine slope in the landscape. It remained there, steadfast until our return. Thus, the house was exactly the same one, which was comforting. It’s amusing how things can seem so familiar, even after a long absence, as you mentioned, we faced COVID and other challenges. But upon returning, it felt like no time had passed at all. We were back in our relationship, rekindling the mutual affection and admiration. Back with our wonderful cowboys who have aged gracefully…

FORD: (Laughs)

…yet, it felt as if two weeks had elapsed. Returning with eagerness and enthusiasm for the remarkable writing we held in high regard, we didn’t know what would unfold or how it would conclude, but we were eager to find out.

Was 1923 pitched to you as a two-season story? Has it changed along the way?

FORD: It seems everyone recalls various aspects of this tale differently. For example, I recall being under the impression that Helen had already agreed to join, which served as an incentive for me, while she was informed that I was already committed…

MIRREN: I’m the carrot!

FORD: At the time we joined, there weren’t any set scripts yet. Instead, we relied on our personal interactions with Taylor Sheridan and his past work. This man exudes a remarkable drive, but not in a self-serving or overly ambitious way. He simply knows what he wants and has a clear path to achieve it, free of unnecessary complexities. His storytelling is straightforward yet powerful and imaginative. The characters he creates and the quality of his scripts are truly enjoyable aspects of the creative process.

1) The team we’re collaborating with, led by Ben Richardson and his crew, are exceptionally gifted. They fit perfectly within this immense, powerful system that’s driven by a truly abundant energy source – an in-depth knowledge of this era and the importance of preserving it to navigate the challenges of our present lives.

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2) Our team, under the leadership of Ben Richardson and his colleagues, are incredibly skilled. They seamlessly integrate into this grand, potent machine that runs on a very rich energy – understanding the essence of this period and its significance for our current existence.

In season one, you filmed the initial three episodes, but weren’t sure about the subsequent events. Was the storyline also unfolding for you in a similar manner during the filming of season two?

Indeed, it’s fascinating. One of the intriguing aspects is that we, as actors, are often unaware of what lies ahead. Just like life, surprises are always around the corner. We receive our scripts about three or four weeks beforehand, and I’m not quite sure how they manage it, but the director meticulously prepares everything. This lack of knowledge about the plot creates a sense of excitement and thrill. It’s a peculiar blend of the uncertainty that comes with not knowing where the story is heading, combined with an overwhelming sense of security. The security comes from our team, the expertise, the filmmaking knowledge led primarily by the director, followed by our cinematographer, camera crew, and many others. This incredible machine is always at work, even if we’re unsure of its destination. We can trust this machine wholeheartedly, and so we are in very capable hands. I have never felt a sense of insecurity during this process.

FORD: When we’re working so swiftly, we might receive a scene only a week before filming. With our busy schedule, we often don’t get the chance to ponder over it. However, the writing is so powerful that when we step into the scene, we simply have to speak the lines. The character has already been crafted by the writer, and the growth or complexity of that character unfolds in that specific scene. All you need to do is say the words and be present. Just being there allows the experience to happen to you naturally. You don’t act it out; instead, it affects you.

Given what we know about Taylor Sheridan, his ability to craft powerful conclusions is well-known, whether they’re for a single season or an entire series. With the way this second season wraps up, would you both be interested in exploring more of the story? Does it leave room for potential continuation?

MIRREN: (Laughing) Given the chance, I’d jump at any opportunity that involves collaborating with Harrison again. Whether it’s a continuation of this tale or something new, I’m all for it, as long as Harrison is part of the project, I’ll be there too!

FORD: (Laughing) That’s acting!

Harrison, would you say then, you agree?

FORD: This bond we share carries great significance. It’s a testament to navigating life with a companion. It encompasses both a partnership and a heartwarming tale, and this partnership is incredibly insightful and impactful. I’ll stop here for now.

As a gamer, I’ve always been passionate about storytelling and the characters that bring them to life. Growing up in our industry, the portrayal of powerful, complex women was rare, if not non-existent. That’s why I’m deeply grateful to Taylor Sheridan for crafting such remarkable female roles, like Cara [Mirren’s character], in his work.

His writing has filled a void that I, and many others, have longed for. As an audience member, I rarely saw characters like these on the screen. The lack of authentic female representation, particularly in Westerns, made it hard for me to appreciate the genre. But now, with shows like 1923 and other pieces penned by Taylor, young women can witness intriguing, layered, resilient, and human characters who just so happen to be women on the screen. It’s a testament to the power of storytelling and representation that I’m thrilled to see today.

Who know how to use a shotgun, too.

MIRREN: That’s not the most important thing at all. It’s having complexity as a character.

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1923 season two releases new episodes Sundays on Paramount+; the first episode is now streaming.

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2025-02-25 02:56