1923 Season 2: Release Date, Plot Details & Everything We Know
The story of the Dutton ranch continues in the 20th century with 1923, and a second season has been announced for more of Cara and Jacob and family.
The Yellowstone spinoff 1923 ended season 1 in early 2023, and as a second season has been announced, details have been revealed or presumed about its release date, plot, and more. Part of Taylor Sheridan’s Dutton family franchise that began with Yellowstone‘s modern-day ranch story, 1923 is a prequel taking place in the titular year. It’s also a sequel to the previous Yellowstone spinoff, 1883. This series stars Harrison Ford and Helen Mirren as Jacob and Cara Dutton, the heads of an earlier generation of Yellowstone’s Dutton’s in the time just before the Great Depression.
Like all the shows revolving around the sprawling Dutton family tree, 1923 was critically acclaimed, with a 91% score on Rotten Tomatoes. The series premiere even broke the record for a Paramount Plus debut, drawing 7.4 million viewers according to Deadline. Taking Sheridan’s franchise down an even more grim storyline than what had come before, 1923 season 1 ends with tragedy, loss, and the possibility that the Dutton’s will lose their ranch within the year. While 1923 season 2 updates are light, the Yellowstone spinoff should start off with the plot in motion.
1923 Season 2 Latest News
The latest 1923 season 2 updates aren’t that positive, as the show has been delayed indefinitely. Just like many other series and even movies in development, 1923 season 2 is postponed due to the WGA writers’ strike. However, it’s important to note that the season hasn’t been canceled. 1923 season 2 will still be made, it’s just not clear when, and fans might be in for a long wait. This news unfortunately continues a 1923/Yellowstone production trend, as it follows a huge falling out between the network and Yellowstone lead actor Kevin Costner.
Other 1923 season 2 updates confirm that it will mark the show’s end, and that there are no plans for a third season. When asked if the show had a future beyond its upcoming return, actor Brandon Sklenar confirmed that 1923 will end with season 2, saying “No, no, it’s bookend. It’s still limited, but I think of it as one piece — there’s just a split in the middle, but it’s all one piece. It will conclude.” This comes on the heels of Yellowstone confirming that it will end with the conclusion of its fifth season, lining up an interesting new chapter for the franchise. While it may disappoint fans to see the show end so soon, it makes sense that this prequel would only be a brief glimpse into the past of the Dutton family with the first Yellowstone prequel 1883 only lasting one season itself.
1923 Is Renewed For Season 2
Eight episodes were not enough to tell the whole story of 1923. Spencer and Alex didn’t look to be any closer to America, and the priest story, the mining plotline, and a number of other minor side ventures made it clear that much more would be needed to finish the Dutton family story during the Roaring ’20s. So it isn’t a surprise that 1923 was renewed for season 2 by Paramount Plus, but it was welcome news to have before the first season ended.
With news of the second series being the final one in this particular story of the Dutton family, it promises to be an epic season. However, despite the renewal, it’s anyone’s guess as to when the season will actually be produced following its indefinite delay due to the ongoing 2023 WGA writers strike. Given that it isn’t clear how far into development season 2 of 1923 is, as the episodes might not have even been written yet, it could be a long time before the renewal pays off.
1923 Season 2 Release Date
Season 2 of 1923 does not have an official release date yet, but the release schedule of Tayler Sheridan’s shows provides some useful information. Harrison Ford said in February that he was excited to begin filming season 2, so shooting has not begun for the series. According to The Digital Fix, filming for the first season of 1923 began in August 2022, and it premiered just four months later. A similarly short production schedule could mean 1923 season 2 will arrive quickly after it has been shot.
However, a big problem is that it could be a long time before the season enters principal photography. The series has been postponed due to the WGA writers’ strike, and as the WGA doesn’t seem anywhere near close to settling with the AMPTP, it could be several months and maybe close to a year before 1923 season 2 enters production. What’s worse is that when the strike is over, there’ll be so many scheduling conflicts with the actors all over again that production will have to work around, further delaying the series’ release.
1923 Season 2 Cast
The cast and characters for 1923 season 2 have not been officially announced yet, but with so many storylines still not wrapped up, there are some assumptions that can be made. Harrison Ford and Helen Mirren’s comments regarding season 2 of 1923 imply they will continue to be a part of the series, in case their star billing wasn’t enough to confirm their return to the show. Brandon Sklenar and Julia Schlaepfer are sure to return for season 2 as Spencer and Alex still need to return home and reunite with the rest of the Duttons.
Timothy Dalton should also be back for the cast of 1923 season 2, as Whitfield is primed to be a major antagonist. Michelle Randolph and Darren Mann should return as their respective characters, Liz Strafford and Jack Dutton, in order to deal with the fallout of Liz’s tragic miscarriage at the end of 1923 season 1. Aminah Nieves as Teonna Rainwater should return for her tough storyline in 1923 season 2 as well, seeing as the Native American’s fight against the Catholic Church is ongoing. Despite the brutality of her story, Nieves expressed her hope for Teonna in 1923 season 2 to show some of her humor.
1923 Season 2 Story Details
No story details have been released for season 2 of 1923, but it is easy to assume that the storylines will continue the season 1 plot. At the end of season 1, Whitfield paid overdue property tax on the Dutton ranch, and the land will end up in his possession if the Duttons cannot pay him back within a couple of months. The lengths Jacob and Cara will go to in order to retain control of their ranch should be the main storyline for season 2. Whitfield will undoubtedly try his best to stop the Duttons from paying, and the result of their escalating conflict could power the final season.
There are a number of other hanging threads that should be resolved in season 2 of 1923. Viewers could see a changed Spencer and Alex. Spencer is sent back to Montana while Alex promises she will come to the United States to find him. Their season 2 stories could see the characters pursuing individual adventures — Spencer in Montana and Alex in England — until they finally reunite. Liz’s miscarriage will most likely figure into the season 2 arc as well. Jack and Liz will have to contend with this personal tragedy while still helping protect the Dutton ranch, responsibilities that could put a heavy strain on the pair.
Teonna’s flight from the Catholic boarding school and the pursuing priest plot is sure to figure heavily in season 2 of 1923. The American Indians and Teonna and the Dutton family have only interacted with each other a handful of times in the first season. Both groups are in need of allies, with the powerful forces threatening their people and livelihoods, and season 2 could see the Duttons and Teonna’s people joining together against Whitfield and Father Renaud (Sebastian Roché).
How 1923 Ties Back To The Rest Of The Yellowstone Franchise
The Dutton ranch and the Dutton family, first introduced in Yellowstone, have such a rich and deep history that their lineage is worthy of multiple series worth of backstory. 1923 bridges the first spinoff series, 1883, and the modern-day tale of Yellowstone to give more information about the infamous Duttons. Jacob in 1923 is the older brother of Tim McGraw’s James Dutton from 1883.
Spencer previously appeared in a Yellowstone flashback set in 1893 when he was shown as a child. Isabel May reprises her role from 1883 as Elsa Dutton despite dying in the finale — but in voice only as she narrates 1923. The audience knows that the Dutton ranch will survive the trials of 1923, but how they do so may reveal why the Dutton clan of Yellowstone’s time so ferociously defend themselves and their land.
