‘Yellowstone’ Prequel ‘1923’ Is Back: First Look at Harrison Ford and Helen Mirren’s Season 2 Saga

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As a seasoned viewer of western dramas, I must say that the images from the upcoming season 2 of “1923” have left me absolutely spellbound! The raw beauty of the landscapes and the intense expressions on the characters’ faces promise a gripping tale that is sure to keep us hooked.

1923, a Yellowstone prequel series starring renowned actors like Helen Mirren and Harrison Ford, will be coming back on our screens two years following the end of its first season.

The finale of the first season of the Taylor Sheridan-created Paramount+ series was released in February 2023. Due to delays caused by the 2023 strikes and the anticipated (possibly) final season of Yellowstone that is currently airing, we now know that 1923 will return on Sunday, Feb. 23.

With the unveiling of its premiere date, the Sheridan-verse has shared two sneak peeks and numerous initial images (all displayed below) to give a glimpse into what lies ahead for the Dutton elders in the second and concluding season of the prequel series 1923, as it picks up from the suspenseful events of the first season’s finale.

In the trailers for season two of 1923, character Spencer Dutton (Brandon Sklenar) is depicted trying to emphasize the necessity of his return to his Montana family, as they all face danger since he’s been away. According to footage, Spencer’s uncle Jacob Dutton (Ford) expresses this predicament.


To provide a quick recap (be aware, there may be spoilers from both 1883 and 1923), the second spin-off series of Yellowstone focuses on the subsequent generation of Duttons following the storyline of the first prequel series, 1883.

In 1923, Sheridan delved into the ancestry of the Dutton family, starting with Jacob and Cara Dutton, portrayed by Ford and Mirren, who were the aunt and uncle to Elsa Dutton (Isabel May), a character who sadly passed away at the end of 1883. John Dutton Sr., played by James Badge Dale, whom we initially encountered as a young boy in 1883 and later died in the third episode of 1923, was also related to this family lineage. Additionally, Spencer Dutton, a character introduced for the first time in 1923 and played by Sklenar, was part of this family tree. Regrettably, their parents, James Dutton (Tim McGraw) and Margaret Dutton (Faith Hill), had passed away between the events depicted in 1883 and 1923. Interestingly, May’s Elsa narrates the story from beyond the grave in 1923.

1923 marked the tragic demise of John Dutton Sr., which left Jacob (Ford) critically injured. This incident led Cara (Mirren) to take charge and manage the Dutton family ranch. The initial part of the season functioned as a prelude, setting up the main narrative that would unfold in 1923. As the series progressed, it shifted its focus onto Spencer (Sklenar), who was now leading the Dutton family, and his significant other, Alex (Schlaepfer). The remainder of the season centered around their perilous journey from an undisclosed location to Bozeman, Montana. This journey was crucial for both preserving the Dutton ranch and protecting his family from impending dangers.

However, the final episode added a twist to Spencer’s upcoming reunion as he and his wife Alex found themselves separated at sea. This occurred after Spencer was expelled from their ship following an incident where he killed a passenger who had threatened Alex’s future safety. In regards to season two, actor Sklenar hinted to The Hollywood Reporter that the tone might change significantly for Spencer and the show itself. He stated, “I am confident that there will be a shift in the mood, specifically for Spencer and the series as a whole.” Furthermore, he explained that the emotional burden and guilt Spencer carries into this new phase will mold him into an unseen version of himself, potentially leading to darker and more complex actions. If we consider his character’s perspective, it might lead down that path. Hopefully, he can return home and find his purpose in protecting his family and saving the ranch.

Beyond the tearful farewell scene reminiscent of the Titanic, hinting at the main love story on the show (the duo being widely speculated as the parents of Kevin Costner’s character John Dutton in Yellowstone theories), there was a glimmer of optimism with Teonna Rainwater, the captivating Indigenous character portrayed by Aminah Nieves. Throughout the season’s eight episodes, we followed Teonna’s perilous path to liberty, ultimately revealing her as a resilient survivor.

Initially, the audience encounters Teonna, a Crow teenager, who is a relative of Yellowstone’s Chief Rainwater (portrayed by Gil Birmingham). She faced abuse for resisting cultural assimilation, mirroring the dark era of Indian boarding schools where Native children were forced to attend government-funded institutions operated by the Catholic Church. Teonna avenges her mistreatment by killing the nuns who abused her and fleeing into the wilderness, facing challenges from wolves and riders sent after her to retrieve her for the head priest. In the final episode, she triumphs when she is reconnected with her father and seems to be developing feelings for Pete Plenty Clouds, a character played by Cole Brings Plenty. Unfortunately, in a heartbreaking real-life event, Cole Brings Plenty, the nephew of Yellowstone star and franchise advisor Mo Brings Plenty, went missing and was later found deceased at 27 years old, three months after the season two finale aired in April 2024.

1923 marks the time when the Dutton family ranch is bustling with life, including Jack (portrayed by Darren Mann) – John Sr.’s son, and his wife Liz (Michelle Randolph). Notably, Liz was recently discovered in the final season to have experienced a miscarriage. Today, she continues her acting journey on Sheridan’s latest production, “Landman.

In the second season of 1923, the story unfolds as a severe winter introduces fresh hurdles for Jacob (Ford) and Cara (Mirren) at the Dutton ranch. Amidst harsh climate and enemies aiming to erase the Dutton name, Spencer (Sklenar) embarks on a challenging voyage back home, hurrying to save his Montana family against the ticking clock. At the same time, Alexandra (Schlaepfer) undertakes a perilous trans-Atlantic trip in search of Spencer and to rekindle their love.

Additionally, you’ll find actors like Jerome Flynn, Darren Mann, Brian Geraghty, Sebastian Roché, Timothy Dalton, and Jennifer Carpenter as part of the ensemble.

Just like the perilous voyage depicted in the TV show 1883, the year 1923 is not for those with delicate sensibilities. Only one season remains to unfold this tale set in the Wild West during the Prohibition era, a time marked by both severe drought and expansion. This Dutton-focused saga will pave the way for the events that follow in the main series.

Meanwhile, Yellowstone, our beloved flagship series, still has two more episodes left for its fifth season (labeled as 5B), which was initially declared as its final season. However, there have been discussions about a potential sixth season featuring fan favorites Kelly Reilly and Cole Hauser.

Starting this coming Sunday, December 8th, I’ll be able to catch the first season of 1923 right after the latest episode of Yellowstone on Paramount Network. It’s going to feel like a double dose of great TV!

1923 is overseen by Yellowstone co-creator Taylor Sheridan, along with David C. Glasser, John Linson, Art Linson, Ron Burkle, David Hutkin, Bob Yari, Ben Richardson, Michael Friedman, and Keith Cox. This series is distributed through Paramount Global Content Distribution, and is jointly produced by MTV Entertainment Studios, 101 Studios, and Bosque Ranch Productions.

Have a look at the sneak peek images for the second season of ‘1923’, and keep up with our Yellowstone updates on THR! (Or, Take a glance at the early-look photos for ‘1923’ season two here, while you stay tuned to THR for more Yellowstone coverage.)

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2024-12-05 23:55