10 ‘1923’ Characters Who Could Shake Things Up in the Next Yellowstone Prequel

While the 1920s Yellowstone saga appears to be over after 1923 season 2’s finale, at least 10 characters can resurface in Taylor Sheridan’s next Dutton story. The end of 1923 season 2 closed out the saga for Spencer (Brandon Sklenar) and the rest of Jacob (Harrison Ford) and Cara Dutton’s (Helen Mirren) family. Still, Yellowstone has another prequel in the works, titled 1944.

1944 will pick up 20 years after the winter of 1924. Those who survived 1923 season 2’s finale could resurface, and, whether it’s the creative direction Sheridan will head, many actors are willing to return to their roles. While 1944’s cast will likely introduce a new group of characters into the mix, as did 1923 after 1883, there’s a chance 1944 will feature key characters introduced in 1923.

10Teonna Rainwater

Teonna Rainwater’s Story Continues After 1923

Teonna Rainwater might appear in 1944 after her 1923 ending. The development is likely to occur. Teonna’s 1923 ending has direction, with Rainwater presumably heading to California at the advice of Two Spears (Dougie Hall). Still, her return in 1944 is needed to explain what’s next for Teonna.

Teonna’s return in 1944 could not only reveal what was next for her but also provide further insight into Thomas’ origin.

It’s unlikely that Rainwater’s story is over after 1923, since Teonna presumably connects to Gil Birmingham’s Thomas Rainwater. The characters share a surname, and Thomas’ backstory remains a mystery after Yellowstone’s finale. Teonna’s return in 1944 could not only reveal what was next for her but also provide further insight into Thomas’ origin.

9Spencer Dutton

Spencer Dutton Lives For 45 Years After 1923’s Ending

Another 1923 character likely to appear in 1944 is Spencer Dutton. In Spencer Dutton’s time jump at the end of 1923, Elsa Dutton (Isabel May) reveals that Spencer lived until 1969, surviving another 45 years. There are several reasons that Spencer’s inclusion in 1944’s cast fits Yellowstone’s mold.

Since Spencer Dutton took over the Yellowstone Ranch at the end of 1923, he would probably manage it a mere 20 years later. That said, since 1944 will occur during World War II, the Medal of Honor recipient could return to battle. Regardless, 1944 could follow Spencer’s war story, parallel to life on the ranch, following the format of 1923.

8John Dutton II

Spencer Dutton’s Son Could Be John Dutton II

After a brief introduction in Yellowstone, John Dutton II, John Dutton III’s (Kevin Costner) father, would also appear in 1944. Yellowstone season 2 features Dabney Coleman as the patriarch, shown in a flashback to his death alongside Costner. 1944 would likely feature John Dutton II, since 1923 seemingly revealed that Spencer and Alex are his parents.

If Spencer and Alex’s son is John Dutton II, the character will emerge in the prequel. Regardless, Spencer’s son, John, would be about 20 years old in 1944, the perfect age to lead the cast. There’s also a chance that Spencer’s son isn’t Coleman’s character, but regardless of who John Dutton II’s parents are, the character will emerge in the Dutton family tree’s next generation.

7Spencer Dutton’s Widow

Spencer Dutton’s Second Partner Could Appear In 1944

1944 could also feature Spencer Dutton’s widow, introduced at the end of 1923. In her narration, Elsa Dutton reveals that while her brother didn’t remarry after Alex Dutton’s death in 1923, Spencer was intimate with another woman. That said, we don’t yet know the woman’s name or anything else about her.

Spencer Dutton’s second romantic connection could emerge in 1944, with the prequel series possibly showing Dutton’s second romance. That said, it’s also possible that Spencer’s widow is long gone by the time the 1940s roll around, and that he has moved on. That said, 1944 could feature Spencer’s other son instead.

6Spencer Dutton’s Unnamed Son

Spencer Dutton’s Second Son Could Play A Key Role In 1944

Elsa also reveals in 1923’s finale that Spencer had another child after he and Alex’s baby was born, an unnamed son with his anonymous widow. Along with Spencer and Alex’s son, Spencer’s other son could appear in 1944. The development would lead to endless story opportunities, with his kin potentially causing conflict between an older Spencer Dutton.

We know little about Spencer’s son and the unnamed widow. In particular, Elsa Dutton’s narration in 1923 doesn’t give us any idea of when Spencer takes up another romantic partner. Therefore, we don’t know when Dutton had his second child, or how old his son will be in 1944, leaving his potential role on the Yellowstone Ranch a mystery.

5Elizabeth Dutton

Jack Dutton’s Wife Could Return To The Yellowstone Ranch

While key Duttons didn’t survive the Prohibition Era, one unlikely survivor is Jack Dutton’s (Darren Mann) wife, Elizabeth Strafford (Michelle Randolph). At the end of 1923, Elizabeth leaves the Yellowstone Ranch, seemingly putting the Dutton family behind her. That said, as she notes in the finale, Elizabeth is still pregnant with Jack’s baby in 1924.

Yellowstone fans also have a bizarre theory about Elizabeth Dutton, suggesting that she could be the unnamed widow with whom Spencer has another child.

While Cara is convinced that Liz will forget Jack for another man, there’s a possibility that Elizabeth returns in 1944. Elizabeth could bring her and Jack’s son to see where his dad grew up. Yellowstone fans also have a bizarre theory about Elizabeth Dutton, suggesting that she could be the unnamed widow with whom Spencer has another child, and that this could be a story in 1944.

4Elizabeth & Jack Dutton’s Child

Jack Dutton’s Child Could Return To Meet Spencer Dutton

Especially if the mother returns to 1944, we could see Elizabeth and Jack Dutton’s child in the next Yellowstone prequel. Elizabeth was pregnant with her second child at the end of 1923, following a miscarriage in her first pregnancy. While Strafford would likely move on and start anew in the east after 1923, her child could return to Montana.

You can stream all of 1923 seasons 1 and 2 on Paramount+.

In 1944, Elizabeth and Jack Dutton’s child would be about 20 years old. If their child were a boy, he could have been drafted to fight in World War II. Perhaps he wanted to return to Montana after his service, coming to live with his uncle as he grew into adulthood, wanting to learn from the war hero and renowned hunter.

3Jacob Dutton

Jacob Dutton Could Be The Oldest Known Dutton In 1944

While it seems unlikely that, at 100 years old, Jacob Dutton would be in the cast of 1944, it’s a possibility. Harrison Ford said that he’s willing to return to the role of Jacob Dutton, emboldening the chance that we haven’t seen the last of Jacob. There are a couple of ways that Jacob could appear in 1944, and they’re quite feasible.

If Jacob appears at his present-day age in 1944, then Jacob Dutton could be the oldest Dutton in recorded history at 100 years old, and 1944 could show his death. Alternatively, Jacob could appear in 1944 in flashbacks. Sheridan used flashbacks throughout Yellowstone, and Ford could also appear in this manner to send the character off.

2Cara Dutton

Cara Dutton Could Still Be Alive In 1944

Helen Mirren has also stated that she’s willing to return to her role as Cara Dutton, and it’s not out of the question for 1944 (via The Hollywood Reporter). Mirren’s prospects are similar to Ford’s in terms of appearing in the next prequel. She could either appear in flashbacks or the titular year as herself, aged about 100 years.

Sheridan could also do a prequel series starring Cara Dutton. The matriarch proved to be a fierce and subversive leader in 1923 seasons 1 and 2. A prequel series about Cara Dutton would be more exciting than the character’s return in 1944, possibly getting Mirren back into the franchise and shining more light on the Dutton matriarch.

1Alex Dutton

Alex Dutton Could Reappear As A Ghost After Her Death In 1923

While we witnessed Alex Dutton’s death at the end of 1923 season 2, it isn’t out of the question that Julia Schlaepfer will return as Alex in 1944. Spencer actor Brandon Sklenar suggested that Schlaepfer could return in 1944 as a ghost, haunting Spencer in a “beautiful” way. Schlaepfer is down with the idea, leaving the door open.

While it may seem a bit ridiculous to think that Alex could return, Alex Dutton’s comeback idea could work. After Elsa Dutton died in 1883, Sheridan returned the deceased Dutton to 1923 as the next saga’s narrator. Alex could receive the same treatment. 1923’s ending had already established Spencer and Alex’s ethereal connection.