1923 star Julia Schlaepfer reflects on Alex Dutton’s harrowing Ellis Island experience in the latest episode of Taylor Sheridan’s hit Western. After a perilous journey abroad, Alex is eager to reunite with Spencer Dutton when she finally arrives in New York. However, her happiness is short-lived as she’s forced to strip down and forgo the cold, unforgiving immigration process at Ellis Island. 1923 season 2, episode 3 delivers some of the series’ darkest scenes while portraying the harsh reality of entering the United States in the early 20th century, particularly as a woman traveling alone.

In an interview with TV Insider, Schlaepfer breaks down the challenges behind her character’s violating experience at Ellis Island. Alex suffers a brutal medical exam where one of the doctors sexually assaults her. Even in the face of such horror, Alex’s resolve remains unshaken—she is determined to reach the Dutton family in Montana at any cost. Read what she had to say below:

That scene took us about eight hours. It was a long, very long day. I had a great intimacy coordinator, Sarah Scott, who was so supportive of me that day. Many of the crew members, especially the female crew members on that day, were very there for me. They’re like family to me. Even though it’s the ’20s, and it’s a very horrifying experience, and it was heightened during that time, I think as women, so many of us can relate to the fear of violation or the fear of attack or assault.

I think just tapping into what that has felt like in my body as a woman traveling in the world alone, even in 2025, it’s so visceral. That was a hard thing to cling on to all day. And then I found myself also going back through my playlist that I would listen to when Alex and Spencer were in the throes of their love story. That was part of my day and my prep that helped me move forward and be like, she’s doing this for him. She’s doing this for them to be reunited and how beautiful that is. It was a long day of navigating just how I was feeling and making sure that I took care of myself throughout that process.

What Alex’s Experience Means For 1923

It Was A Harrowing Scene For The Actor And Her Character

1923 has never shied away from presenting the brutal realities of its time period, and Alex’s journey to the Dutton ranch is a chilling reminder of the struggles faced by immigrants arriving in the U.S. in the early 1900s. Unlike her character, Schlaepfer did not have to go through the harrowing scene alone. Intimacy coordinator Sarah Scott was on the 8-hour set to offer crucial support. Scott, who has also worked on Netflix’s Heist, NBC’s Good Girls, and the Emmy-winning series Hacks, plays a vital role in ensuring actors feel safe and comfortable while filming sensitive scenes.

Schlaepfer mentioned she was also able to move forward with the scene by noting Alex is “doing this for [Spencer].“ Alex and Spencer’s love story has been a whirlwind of separation and survival as their unwavering commitment to finding their way back to each other has yet to be broken. The episode’s cliffhanger suggests that Alex’s fight to reunite with Spencer is far from over. In its final moments, a man lurking in the shadows watches Alex as she enters the bathroom. If he’s one of the many lurking pickpockets, he could add another arduous leg to her journey.

Our Take On Schlaepfer’s Alex In 1923

A Test Of Will, Survival, And Love

While intimacy coordinators are not yet an industry standard, the role they play in ensuring actors feel safe and supported cannot be overstated. Scott’s presence on the 1923 set provided Schlaepfer with the reassurance and guidance needed to navigate such a distressing experience. As actors continue to speak out about the importance of these professionals, I hope to see intimacy coordinators become an industry norm.

Moreover, Alex’s journey through 1923 has been a relentless test of survival, and her harrowing journey through Ellis Island is just another reminder of how far she will go to reunite with Spencer. While it remains uncertain whether she will make it to the Dutton family’s ranch, her determination to fight for their future together—especially now that she is carrying their child—proves she has the strength to withstand the hardship​​​​​​s of the American plains.