Taylor Sheridan’s Western drama series 1923, which stars Harrison Ford, Helen Mirren, Brandon Sklenar, Julia Schlaepfer, and others, concluded its season two run on April 6, 2025. Prequel to Yellowstone, 1923’s story intrigued a lot of people who were interested to know the Dutton lineage. Upon release, 1923 received support and positive comments from critics and audiences.
Sklenar, who was also part of the Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni starrer It Ends With Us, has been appreciated for his work as Spencer Dutton on the show. The show’s heartbreaking finale finally saw Spencer Dutton returning to the ranch and saving the day, but losing someone special to him. The actor talks about the final moments of 1923.
Brandon Sklenar explains Spencer Dutton’s showdown with Donald Whitfield in 1923
Brandon Sklenar portrays the character of Spencer Dutton in 1923 alongside Julia Schlaepfer’s Alexandra, who the entire season 2, had been pursuing their journey to Montana. Towards the finale, the couple finally meet, she gives birth to the couple’s son John, but unfortunately, she passes away.
The actress recently spoke to IndieWire, where she admits that everything that Alex had done throughout the second season is all out of a mother’s love and her willingness to keep her baby alive. She is at peace with dying, knowing that she’s done what a mother should do.
Brandon Sklenar also spoke to the publication, where he was asked about Spencer Dutton’s showdown with Donald Whitfield after Alex’s passing away. He added that his character is fighting for any sense of vindication he can get. The actor noted,
He does feel like this man must know the weight of his actions what he’s taken away from Spencer and what he’s caused before he puts a bullet in his head. Even though Whitfield’s not going to live with it, just the acknowledgment of what he has taken from Spencer, I think, is the only thing Spencer will ever get.
Sklenar further mentioned that Spencer Dutton has to get at least that closure, adding that it’s tragic because he knows that at that moment, it’s not going to heal anything for him. He recalls that initially there was more that he had intended to say, but it wasn’t necessary. Sklenar added,
It took significance; it explained why I wanted him to say her name as opposed to just telling him to say her name. I had a whole chunk of dialogue there where I explained why. It’s way more impactful in the edit. It’s obvious why I’m there and why I want to kill this guy, so I don’t need to explain it.
Now, even though Whitfield does not have a direct relation to Alex’s death, the scene goes on to explain that Spencer Dutton wouldn’t have had to leave Alex in the first place if Whitfield hadn’t come for the ranch and his family. Spencer Dutton had to protect his family from being slaughtered, and for that, he had to leave his wife’s side.
Brandon Sklenar went on to praise the creator, Taylor Sheridan, for being precise about his writing. He noted there are no ad-libs, no adding the’s or and’s or buts.
Is Alex and Spencer’s son John Dutton, father of Yellowstone’s Kevin Costner’s John Dutton III?
One of the crucial moments in the two-hour finale of 1923 was the birth of John Dutton. Alex gives birth to her and Spencer Dutton’s premature son and calls him John. She later dies in the hospital holding her son, with Spencer by her side, due to hypothermia.
Now, fans are curious to know if their son John Dutton is, in fact, the father of Kevin Costner’s John Dutton III. The show showcased that John Dutton Sr. does appear in 1923 Season 1 but dies in episode 3 at the hands of Banner Creighton, leaving behind their son Jack, played by Darren Mann. This makes it impossible for him to be the father of Kevin Costner’s John Dutton III.
When the stars were asked about the lineage of their kid during a conversation with USA Today, they said,
It’s fun to think about. That it ties into the whole world. The only person who could confirm that is Taylor Sheridan himself, out of his mouth. John’s a popular name.
The duo avoided answering any questions about their on-screen son being directly related to John Dutton III. In speaking to CinemaBlend, the actress shared that the doors open on the idea of their John being the John everyone wants him to be. She also noted that Sklenar and she had talked about how they’d love to imagine that their John is the John, but it’s Taylor Sheridan’s call.
John Dutton II briefly appeared in a flashback scene in the upcoming spin-off series 1944 and likely could be the protagonist.
