It’s been more than two years since 1923 first arrived on Paramount+, adding another chapter to Taylor Sheridan’s sprawling Dutton family saga. The show’s debut in December 2022 introduced viewers to a new generation of Yellowstone ranchers — this time in the Roaring Twenties — and its finale left several characters in deeply precarious positions. Now, with Season 2 just days away, it’s time to revisit where things left off and what’s at stake as the battle for the land intensifies.
The Dutton Family Tree — and Where 1923 Fits
To understand 1923, it’s important to trace the lineage. While 1883 followed James and Margaret Dutton’s perilous westward journey, 1923 focuses on James’s brother Jacob (Harrison Ford) and his wife Cara (Helen Mirren), who raised James’s children — John Dutton Sr. and Spencer — as their own. That makes Jacob and Cara adoptive grandparents to the future Dutton patriarch, John Dutton III (played by Kevin Costner in Yellowstone).
The Fight for the Ranch
By the end of Season 1, Jacob and Cara find themselves locked in a brutal war over the family’s land. Wealthy mining magnate Donald Whitfield (Timothy Dalton) has bailed out Banner Creighton (Jerome Flynn), Jacob’s bitter enemy, after Banner’s orchestrated ambush led to the death of John Sr. Jacob now owes Whitfield in taxes — a financial noose that threatens to choke the Duttons out of their own land.
Meanwhile, Jack Dutton (Darren Mann) and his wife Elizabeth (Michelle Randolph) are reeling from a miscarriage, and their personal loss compounds the family’s grief and instability. At the same time, Spencer Dutton (Brandon Sklenar) — the family’s absent protector — is halfway around the world and unaware of the chaos unfolding back home.
Spencer and Alex’s Tumultuous Separation
Spencer’s storyline took him far from Montana, journeying across continents with his love, Alexandra (Julia Schlaepfer). But their romantic adventure ended in tragedy when a deadly confrontation with Alex’s ex-fiancé Arthur led to Spencer killing him in self-defense. Arrested and separated from Alex, Spencer’s path back to his family — and to the woman he loves — is now filled with uncertainty.
The Teonna Rainwater Arc
Perhaps the most harrowing storyline of Season 1 belonged to Teonna Rainwater (Aminah Nieves), a young Native American girl who endured abuse at a Catholic boarding school. After escaping, she’s forced to survive the wild while being pursued by priests and marshals. Her grandmother is killed during the manhunt, and Hank — the rancher who helped her — is also murdered. Now, Teonna is on the run with her father, as the authorities continue their relentless search.
What Season 2 Is Likely to Explore
Season 2 is expected to raise the emotional and physical stakes for every major character. The heart of the story will center around Spencer’s return to Montana, as he answers Cara’s desperate plea for help. In the finale, Cara’s letter captured the sense of urgency:
“Spencer, I fear everything your parents fought so hard to build is being ripped from us. You are its only hope. You are our only hope. You must hurry, Spencer. You must hurry. Or there will be nothing left to fight for.”
More Conflict, Higher Stakes
Spencer’s homecoming could be the Duttons’ last chance to fend off Whitfield and Creighton. But he may also face legal or moral consequences for Arthur’s death — and his reunion with Alex remains uncertain. Meanwhile, the ongoing pursuit of Teonna and her father promises more tragedy, resistance, and hard-won moments of survival.
Actor Brandon Sklenar has teased a tonal shift for the upcoming season. “The stakes all around have been raised to a new level,” he told The Hollywood Reporter. “The pain and the guilt that [Spencer] is carrying into this next part is going to shape him into a version of himself that we haven’t seen yet.”
Behind the Scenes: Why Season 2 Took So Long
Although Paramount+ renewed 1923 for a second season in early 2023, real-world delays pushed production back. Industry-wide strikes from SAG-AFTRA and the WGA brought everything to a halt, and the schedules of stars like Ford and Mirren added additional complications. Filming didn’t resume until well into 2024, and the first official footage dropped that December — much to fans’ relief.
What to Expect from the New Season
- Spencer’s return to Montana — and his confrontation with Whitfield and Banner
- A possible reunion with Alex, or fallout from Arthur’s death
- Teonna’s continued journey, and escalating dangers from the law
- More bloodshed, betrayal, and power struggles on the ranch
- Greater clarity on how 1923 bridges the gap to Yellowstone
Season 2 promises to bring emotional catharsis, violent reckoning, and further insight into the generational battle for land, legacy, and survival. For fans of the Dutton dynasty, it’s shaping up to be another wild ride.
