Around the same time that Yellowstone season 5 went on a surprise hiatus in January 2023, creator Taylor Sheridan also wrapped the first season of a new spin-off titled 1923. The Great Depression–era story introduced audiences to the Dutton family from a century ago—boasting big names such as Harrison Ford and Helen Mirren. Then it vanished. Now that Sheridan has landed Yellowstone’s present, does he have a plan for Yellowstone’s past?
Somehow the writer still made time for 1923. In a new trailer (below), Paramount revealed that the epic story’s second season will premiere February 23, 2025. The footage shows Cara Dutton (Mirren) strapped with a sniper rifle as villains attempt once again to take away their Yellowstone family ranch. "Of all the things I've hard to for this ranch," Mirren says as she reloads her rifle, "this takes the cake."
The second season will end the tale of the 1923-era Dutton family. Eight episodes will drop weekly for Paramount+ subscribers leading up the series finale on April 6. Most likely, fans may even catch a hint of the rumored 1944 project to follow. Until then, let’s run down what we know about 1923's return so far.
What Happened in 1923 Season 1?
Following the Duttons through a period of famine, economic depression, and big-game hunting in Africa, 1923 acts as both a prequel to the Yellowstone main series and a pseudo sequel to the 1883 prequel.
Harrison Ford’s Jacob Dutton is on the mend following an attack from sheepherder Banner Creighton (Jerome Flynn), which occurred in episode 3’s shocking ending. Cara Dutton (Helen Mirren) asked her nephew Spencer (Brandon Sklenar) to quit hunting big game in Africa and come home to defend his family’s ranch. One of his brothers, John Dutton Sr. (James Badge Dale), was killed in the attack—while his nephew Jack barely survived. Meanwhile, Creighton is bolstering his forces as well, thanks to some help from Timothy Dalton’s evil Donald Whitfield.
In the season finale, Spencer and his new wife, Alexandra (Julia Schlaepfer) are separated following a duel with her ex-fiancé. It’s a major hitch in their plans to return to Montana, especially as turmoil continues to plague his aunt and uncle back home. Meanwhile, Jack’s fiancée, Elizabeth Strafford, suffers a miscarriage; Teonna Rainwater is on the run after escaping a corrupt Indian boarding school; and the bank has refused to help finance the Duttons through the winter. Dejected, Cara Dutton tears up her latest letter to Spencer, pleading for him to come. “It’s going to hurt,” Sklenar told Esquire about the finale. “Just from an audience standpoint, from a fan standpoint…. Yeah, it’s agonizing. It’s going to fire people up to be counting the days till the second part airs.”
What Will Happen in Season 2?
Though not much is known about the direction for season 2, we know what lies in store for the Duttons when we return. The harsh winter has placed many financial hardships on the family—and they don’t have the men to fight against Whitfeld until Spencer’s return. “Our ranch is under attack,” Jacob Dutton says in the new teaser. “Our way of life is under attack. I’m asking you to protect them.”
Calling Spencer’s story “essentially Homer’s Odyssey and the hero’s journey,” Sklenar told Esquire that “the final act is sure to be explosive.” There’s a lot riding on Spencer’s return home. “It’s going to be a powerful homecoming,” Sklenar teased. “The man we meet in episode 1 of season 2 is a much different man from who we see at the end of this season. So it’s going to be exciting to get into that new version of Spencer.”
Season 2 will reportedly run for another eight episodes when it premieres. Plus, even more spin-offs including The Madison and an untitled sequel starring Kelly Reilly and Cole Hauser are currently in the works. For better or for worse, Sheridan always has something new around the corner.
