In one of recent polls about the upcoming season, viewers were asked which Yellowstone prequel they preferred: 1883 or 1923. The overwhelming majority chose 1883. Many other fans of the Yellowstone Universe also favor this first prequel, yet Taylor Sheridan has decided to continue with a second season of 1923. While 1883 might be the fan favorite, it doesn’t mean we don’t love 1923—and I personally can’t wait to see what’s in store for Jacob and Cara, and especially Spencer and Alex.
Let’s dive into the latest updates on casting and plot details for 1923 Season 2.
New Cast Members
The new season brings in some fresh faces, starting with Jennifer Carpenter, known for her role as Debra Morgan on Dexter. She’s set to play May Faucet, a Deputy U.S. Marshal. It appears her character may be based on a real-life historical figure with the same name, who became a Deputy Marshal in 1898—a rare role for women at the time. The National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum describes her as a tough figure, arresting some of the era’s most notorious outlaws. Jennifer is sure to bring this bold character to life.
Another addition is Janet Montgomery, known for her roles in This Is Us and New Amsterdam. She’ll be playing a character named Hilary, who, according to Deadline, is a thoughtful woman with a strong sense of justice. Fans are curious to see who Hilary might connect with among the main cast.
The final new cast member we know about is Augustus Prew, recognized from Prison Break. He’s been cast as Paul, described as a bookish young British man traveling on a passenger ship. Speculation suggests he may be escorting Alex back to the U.S., as set photos show him with both Julia Schlaepfer, who plays Alex, and Brandon Sklenar, who plays Spencer. Could he be the one to reunite the two lovebirds?
Season 2 Plot Details
Brandon Sklenar, who plays Spencer, recently hinted that Season 2 will have a darker tone than Season 1 and that the series finale is one of the best scripts he’s ever read. This raises the question: will Spencer and Alex finally make it to the Yellowstone Ranch? Brandon confirmed he’s excited to film scenes with Harrison Ford and Helen Mirren, and he’s been spotted on set in Montana. After waiting an entire season for his arrival at the ranch, it’ll be interesting to see how his family reacts—likely with plenty of emotions.
There’s also speculation that Alex could be pregnant. In one scene, she touches her abdomen and hints about “the family I’m starting,” which could indicate a baby on the way. Some fans are even theorizing that Spencer and Alex may not survive by the end of 1923, but that their child might. If Taylor Sheridan’s past storytelling is any indication, perhaps Jack and Elizabeth will end up raising this child, who could be named John and become the grandfather of John Dutton in the original Yellowstone series.
Release Date
Believe it or not, Season 2 is still in production. The cast and crew faced multiple delays, first due to the Hollywood strikes and then because of other cast projects. Brandon Sklenar, for instance, has been promoting his film It Ends With Us. But filming picked back up in October, and while there’s no official end date, we can make an educated guess about the release. With Yellowstone Season 5, Part 2 set to air in November 2024 and continuing into early 2025, it’s unlikely we’ll see 1923 Season 2 overlap. Instead, 1923 Season 2 might land in spring 2025, likely after Yellowstone ends and before the new spin-off The Madison premieres.
Trailer Expectations
Recently, Yellowstone trailers have repurposed older footage for promotion. But fans hope 1923 Season 2’s trailer brings fresh content, like the first season’s memorable introduction of its characters and plot. A glimpse of Jennifer Carpenter’s character, a shot of Spencer at the ranch, or Alex holding her belly would all make for exciting scenes in the trailer.
If you’re as excited as I am, leave a heart emoji in the comments to show you made it to the end. And for more updates on the Yellowstone Universe, stay tuned for the latest news and developments.
