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On 1923, the Yellowstone prequel created by Taylor Sheridan, Emmy-nominated costume designer Janie Bryant helped transform Hollywood legends Harrison Ford and Helen Mirren into rugged Montana ranchers. Tasked with outfitting more than 5,000 extras in addition to the principal cast, Bryant drew inspiration from 1920s photographs, newspapers, and extensive archival research to establish the series’ authentic visual tone. During Gold Derby’s Meet the Experts: Costume Designers panel, Bryant explained how she emphasized historical accuracy and character contrast to bring the world of 1923 to life.

How would you describe the overall look of 1923?

The overall look of the show is quite dark. That’s kind of the basis of the story. It’s dark with that little light of hope, with the grand ball at the end when everybody is pouring their eyes out with buckets of tears. For the characters, Jacob Dutton [Ford] and Cara Dutton [Mirren], their story really is about...

Taylor Sheridan's 1923is making its way up the video-on-demand charts on one major platform.

Per FlixPatrol, the hit Yellowstone prequel series starring Harrison Ford and Helen Mirren is steadily making its way up to the top of the VOD chart of the top series available via iTunes. As of the time of writing, 1923 sits in twenty-third place, just ahead of Counterpart and Landman. That may not seem like much a move, but it does come after a four-spot leap on the part of 1923, which doesn't look to be slowing down anytime soon.

1923 premiered in 2022 and served as a follow-up to the first Yellowstone prequel series, 1883. The series brought back Isabel May in the role of Elsa Dutton, who narrates each episode. 1923's ensemble cast is led by Ford and Mirren in the roles of Jacob and Cara Dutton. The series also stars Brandon Sklenar, Julia Schlaepfer, Darren Mann, and Brian Geraghty as Spencer,...

The Yellowstone universe continues to reap rewards for its brainchild, Taylor Sheridan, as the best spinoff of the series continues to be a big hit long after its latest season concluded. The critically acclaimed Western drama, 1923, saddles up with streaming success on Netflix.

Per Netflix, the first season of 1923 is roping in viewers on Netflix as the show is among the top 10 most-viewed English-language titles at the time of writing. 1923 Season 1 ranks 9th on the Netflix chart for the week of Jul. 7 to Jul. 13, with 17.3 million hours viewed during that span. The series is a new entry on a list topped by The Sandman Season 2, having jumped onto Netflix in June. Notably, the show is not available on Netflix in the United States, getting its viewership from international territories.

Along with its newfound Netflix success, 1923 has also become a hit on the premium video-on-demand (PVOD) market. Earlier this week,...

After breaking records on Paramount+, 1923 is setting some new ones on PVOD. Despite some stiff competition, the Yellowstone prequel series has topped the PVOD chart on iTunes.

According to FlixPatrol, 1923 is ranked No. 1 on iTunes' Global Top TV Shows, as of July 15. Even with the original series having now ended, the Yellowstone franchise remains one of the biggest IPs in the world, allowing 1923 to beat other fan-favorite series like Rick and Morty, The Last of Us, The White Lotus, and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit on the PVOD chart. The prequel's success on iTunes isn't entirely surprising though, considering that the series was a major hit during its two-season run on Paramount+, with the series finale alone attracting an audience of $14 million during its first week on the streamer.

Created by Sheridan, 1923 is the second prequel series to Yellowstone, premiering less than a year after its predecessor,...

Taylor Sheridan's "Yellowstone" franchise is unified in its themes of survival, family, capitalism, and the environment, but each show boasts its own distinct qualities to separate it from the pack. Each series takes place during a different time period, all of which pose unique threats, problems, and obstacles for the Dutton family. That said, "1883" and "1923" feel more closely connected as they feature some of the same characters and similar storylines (which we will get to later), but Taylor Sheridan believes that there is one key difference between both the "Yellowstone" prequel series.

According to Sheridan, "1883" and "1923" both deal with the topic of expansion, albeit in different ways. "1883" centers around pioneers traveling across the American West to make their fortunes, but it ends in disaster for most of them. Meanwhile, "1923" depicts an Africa where Spencer Dutton (Brandon Sklenar) makes a living as a hunter while rich English people...

With Sicario, Taylor Sheridan kicked off a literal storytelling empire. With Yellowstone, he redefined the modern Western. Then he kept going from the chaos of Mayor of Kingstown to the espionage edge of Special Ops: Lioness. Sheridan’s shows just hit different – be it cowboys or covert ops, his signature’s all over it, with good dialogue, moral gray zones, and damn good drama.

Now, with his universe spanning timelines, towns, and tough-as-nails leads, we’re ranking every Taylor Sheridan series by their Rotten Tomatoes scores. Because when your TV catalog runs this deep, someone’s got to lay it out straight.

‘1923’ (2022 – 2025)

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 95%

1923, folks, didn’t just ride in as another Yellowstone prequel; it carved out its own legacy. Premiering in December 2022 on Paramount+, the series followed a new gen of Duttons fighting for survival during the brutal early 20th century. With Prohibition, drought, and looming Depression-era chaos at their doorstep,...

Taylor Sheridan kicked off the Yellowstone universe in 2018 with the original series, which ran for five seasons on Paramount. Since its release, the universe further expanded with several spinoffs and prequels.

The original series is available to stream on Paramount+, as well as its spinoffs. Following the success of 1883 on Netflix, the second prequel, 1923, is heading to the streaming service, too. Per What's On Netflix, the Harrison Ford and Helen Mirren-led Yellowstone prequel 1923 Season 1 will be released on July 9.

Although the show will continue to be available on Paramount+ domestically, the Yellowstone universe is further expanding for international fans. 1923 will be available in different international territories, including Europe, Latin America, and more.

Yellowstone was the first to receive a licensing deal on Netflix in January 2024. The Sheridanverse continued with 1883, which found success on Netflix earlier this year. Now the second spinoff prequel is next. Details about Season...

While the main Yellowstone series has now ended, the Western franchise marches on, with one of the various spin-offs now all set to land on Netflix. Fans have taken Sherdian's universe to their hearts, but having originally streamed on Paramount+, those without a subscription have been lagging behind on the story.

Led by a pair of Hollywood icons in Harrison Ford and Helen Mirren, the prequel series 1923 takes audiences back to the earlier days of the Duttons, and is due to hit the streamer in certain territories from next month.

Created by Taylor Sheridan, 1923 stars Brandon Sklenar, Darren Mann (Animal Kingdom), Michelle Randolph (A Snow White Christmas), James Badge Dale (Hightown), Marley Shelton (Scream), Brian Geraghty (Big Sky), Aminah Nieves (Blueberry), Julia Schlaepfer (The Politician), Jerome Flynn (Game of Thrones), Jennifer Ehle (Zero Dark Thirty), Robert Patrick, Sebastian Roché (The Originals), and Timothy Dalton alongside Harrison Ford and Helen Mirren.

For “1923” stars Julia Schlaepfer and Aminah Nieves, some of their biggest, most emotional scenes, came toward the end of the show’s run, as Taylor Sheridan’s expansive “Yellowstone” prequel series wrapped up after two thrilling seasons.

If you haven’t seen “1923” yet, you might want to tread lightly, as we are discussing details from the very end of the series — including the fate of the characters played by Schlaepfer and Nieves.

Schlaepfer’s big moment, unsurprisingly, is her character Alexandra’s reunion with Spencer. They had spent virtually the entire season apart and her character had gone through hell — including, but not limited to, some kindly strangers offering to drive her through a snowstorm to get to him only to freeze to death. (This is the tip of the iceberg.) They finally reconnect and it is perhaps the grandest, most sweeping moment in a series made up almost exclusively of grand,...

Before things went all crazy with bunkhouses and brutal ranch politics, there was a Western that quietly did what some of the newer hits are still trying to figure out. It starred a future cowboy icon and had all the chaos-fueled stuff you’d want in a show. It’s one of those blink-and-you-miss-it classics that proves the Western genre had legs even before streaming wars.

Frankly speaking, if this had landed on the right network with a certain big-name creator at the helm, it might’ve rewritten TV history before anyone even said “Dutton.”

Timothy Olyphant’s old western Deadwood walked so Yellowstone could run Wild Bill Hickok and Al Swearengen in a still from Deadwood | Credits: HBO

Before Taylor Sheridan’s Yellowstone turned ranch drama into a billion-dollar Western empire, HBO had already set the gold standard. Enter Deadwood, the foul-mouthed, character-packed Western that made Timothy Olyphant a...

You either write your own story or you let someone else write it for you. That’s a line we’ve mulled over while following Taylor Sheridan’s winding journey back to the silver screen with his new action thriller, F.A.S.T.. It’s been a long haul, one packed with studio handoffs and creative recalibrations, but Sheridan is finally unleashing this beast on April 23, 2027.

The buzz? Well, it’s about more than just another shoot-’em-up flick. With Brandon Sklenar, fresh off his commanding role in 1923, stepping into the spotlight, and with director Ben Richardson calling the shots, this film might just surprise everyone, including Oscar voters.

What do we know about the plot of Taylor Sheridan’s F.A.S.T. Taylor Sheridan in Yellowstone | Credits: Paramount Network

Taylor Sheridan’s fingerprints on modern storytelling feel almost like a secret handshake among those who appreciate narratives that punch you in the gut but leave your heart open.

Natasha Marcelina has been with RuPaul's Drag Race since Season 4 in 2012, rising from makeup artist to department head. She's also won an Emmy along the way, in 2020, for her work on the groundbreaking hit and, most importantly, has witnessed the show's impact.

"It's been amazing," Marcelina tells Gold Derby at our Meet the Experts: Makeup and Hair panel. "I feel truly lucky to have been involved with the show for so long and just seeing how it's grown over the years and how, just as a whole, drag has evolved because of the show and the influence that it's had on pop culture and especially hair and makeup of course."

Marcelina points to "all of the beauty influencers and Instagram personalities" who pull a lot of their makeup technique from that of drag. "Such as the contouring, baking, the layering of different products and stuff like that — all comes from that theater slash drag world.

I wasn’t the biggest fan of how Taylor Sheridan handled 1923. For all the buildup, it felt like a slow burn with not enough fire, especially considering the cast and the legacy it was supposed to carry. But despite all that, I’m weirdly hyped for his next movie. For One name: Brandon Sklenar.

The guy was easily the standout in 1923, and now Sheridan’s teaming up with him again for a film that reportedly hides a pretty juicy detail about its plot. If Sheridan taps into the raw, gritty energy he’s known for, this might just be his redemption arc.

Why am I still riding with Taylor Sheridan after 1923 let me down? Taylor Sheridan in Yellowstone | Credits: Paramount Network

1923 was a mess, Taylor Sheridan lost me with all that slow-burn drama that forgot to burn. But here’s the thing, I’m still hyped for his next movie.

How Big Is the Yellowstone Universe Now? All Spinoffs & Prequels You Need to Know ( Photo Credit – Instagram )

The universe of Yellowstone is expanding with every new spinoff series and prequel. Be it 1883, 1923, The Madison, and more, the neo-western series has become a global phenomenon with millions of viewers tuning in to see and enjoy the stories of the Dutton family. Here’s a guide to all the shows.

Every Spinoff & Prequel Series Of The Yellowstone Universe 1883

The first spinoff of the Yellowstone universe, 1883, revolved around James and Margaret Dutton. It starred Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, Sam Elliott, and Eric Nelsen. It premiered in December 2021 and wrapped up in February 2022. It was not renewed for a second season because the story was fully explored.

1923

1923 was up next, and it starred Helen Mirren and Harrison Ford as Cara and Jacob Dutton. It premiered in December 2022 and wrapped up season two in February...

If you're here, then one or more of the following three things are true: It's the weekend, you're looking for something to watch, and you're a fan of Taylor Sheridan's shows. Thankfully, you have come to the right place for a recommendation of which of his shows to binge-watch this weekend. There's a lot of them, so it's entirely possible that you haven't watched them all.

Since debuting Yellowstone on the Paramount Network in 2018, Sheridan has expanded his television universe quite a bit in the following year, branching out with an extension of the franchise on streaming. Even beyond the Yellowstone series, Sheridan has additional star-studded shows like Lioness and Lawmen: Bass Reeves that are also worthing binge-watching.

But we're narrowing the list down to the four shows that will soon be returning with new seasons (or spinoffs) and can be binge-watch in a weekend. Since Yellowstone's five...

The brutality of 1923 meant that anyone could die at any time, and before the actors signed up for the show, no one was sure how long their character would survive. This was the case for series star Helen Mirren, who admitted to Gold Derby that Cara Dutton's survival surprised her. "Both Harrison [Ford] and I, for the first time in our lives, had to commit without reading a single word of the characters or the story or anything. Because Taylor [Sheridan] said he likes to write for the actor that he's got, he likes to write knowing who he's writing for, which I thought was very interesting," she prefaced to the outlet. She revealed her expectations regarding her character, saying:

“Harrison and I signed up for that without having any idea of what the story was going to be, where it was going to go. I fully expected to be killed off!

Since 1923 season 2 ended a month ago in April 2025, we've been waiting for news about whether the series is renewed or cancelled at Paramount+, and if it will be coming back for a season 3. We still don't have that answer. And of course a huge part that would determine that is whether the main stars of the Yellowstone prequel series want to return.

Harrison Ford who plays Jacob Dutton, Helen Mirren who is Cara Dutton, Julia Schlaepfer who took on the role of Alex Dutton, and Aminah Nieves who is Teonna Rainwater were at a FYC event in Los Angeles to talk about the show. Per The Hollywood Reporter, Ford said he would come back to the Yellowstone and/or 1923 universe if creator Taylor Sheridan "asks nice."

This comment was lighthearted and not meant to mean that there's any hard feelings between the two. The actor went on to say he's just like us fans,...

When the "Yellowstone" prequel series "1923" concluded its second season last month, fans felt fairly certain that they'd probably seen the last of Harrison Ford's Jacob Dutton and Helen Mirren's Cara Dutton. This isn't because the season ended with their deaths. Not only did Jacob and Cara survive to the end of the final episode, but they also found themselves left to care for the newborn son of Alexandra Dutton (Julia Schlaepfer), who died after giving birth. Given that the son's name is John, many viewers feel it's safe to assume that the forthcoming prequel series "1944" will revolve around a 19-year-old John Dutton II.

There is, however, some uncertainty at the moment, if only because Taylor Sheridan and Paramount have yet to confirm that "1923" is indeed finished after season 2. Also clouding the "Yellowstone" picture is the status of "1944," which hasn't even been cast yet. Thus far,...

Harrison Ford might’ve rocked the 1923 prequel like a pro, but he’s not done with the Yellowstone universe, at least not if Taylor Sheridan plays ball. Ford’s down for a return, but there’s one simple condition: it better be worth his time. He’s not here for filler.

At 80+, the man’s still riding strong, and if Sheridan can deliver the goods, we might just see Ford saddle up again for another round of Dutton drama. Now that’s star power – aging like fine whiskey.

Harrison Ford eyes Yellowstone return with one catch

Harrison Ford isn’t hanging up his cowboy hat just yet. The 1923 star made it clear: Jacob Dutton could return to the Yellowstone-verse but only if Taylor Sheridan agreed to one thing. “If he asks nice,” Ford quipped at a 1923 FYC event in LA, before adding, “I have no idea what his plans are.

Helen Mirren says it was Harrison Ford who really helped establish the tone on the set of their Paramount+ Western, 1923.

“Harrison was wonderful with all the guys and you could tell how they looked up to him, admired him,” Mirren told Gold Derby at the 1923 FYC screening in Los Angeles on Sunday. “I mean, he is an impressive person to any young person who's seen the whole trajectory of his life and his career. And he was so wonderful and supportive and generous with them. And they adored him.”

Describing the sheer scale of the production—“one of the biggest sets I’ve ever been on in my life” — Mirren, who plays family matriarch Cara Dutton, wife of Ford’s Jacob Dutton, said the familial bond behind the scenes helped her endure the tougher days on set.

“It was always challenging cold-wise and comfort-wise,” she shared outside the Linwood Dunn Theater,...

1923 star Harrison Ford has revealed if he would return to the Yellowstone universe as Jacob Dutton after the season 2 finale of its latest TV show. 1923 season 2 ended with Jacob (Ford) deciding to retire, helping his wife, Cara (Hele Mirren) in raising their grandson, John Dutton II. While the show later flashes forward to 1969, showing an elderly Spencer (Brandon Sklenar) dying at after visitin his wife Alexandra's (Julia Schlaepfer) grave, it leaves a multi-decade time gap in between that has yet to be filled by the franchise.

Speaking with The Hollywood Reporterat a FYC event in Los Angeles, California, Ford revealed that he would be open to reprising his role as Jacob from 1923 in future Yellowstone projects. This includes the potential upcoming spinoff 1944, which he joked "I’m still alive" for. He said that if series creator Taylor Sheridan "asks nice" he'd be open to coming back, but also said...

Harrison Ford might not be ready to hang up his spurs just yet. As 1923 — the Yellowstone prequel series from creator Taylor Sheridan — wrapped its second and possibly final season, Ford and his co-stars gathered in Los Angeles for a For Your Consideration event. And while Paramount hasn’t officially confirmed the show's conclusion, the finale certainly felt like the end of the line for Jacob and Cara Dutton… or did it? During the Q&a, Helen Mirren joked about being surprised her character Cara survived the finale.

“I was convinced that I was going to die, so I was quite surprised I was still alive at the end of the show,” she laughed. And she's not the only one still kicking, as Ford was happy to discuss.

“I’m still alive. I thought [the finale] was fantastic — I thought it was very tight storytelling and I was absolutely delighted with it. It...

[This story contains major spoilers from the 1923 season two finale.]

Harrison Ford spent his May the 4th celebrating not Star Wars but Yellowstone prequel series 1923, which recently released it second and possible final season.

At a FYC event for the series in Los Angeles on Sunday, Ford — who plays patriarch Jacob Dutton, opposite Helen Mirren’s Cara — told The Hollywood Reporter he thought the way the show ended with the season two finale “was fantastic — I thought it was very tight storytelling and I was absolutely delighted with it. It’s probably the densest script and work that I’ve had a chance to work on in a long, long time.”

Mirren joked she was “convinced that I was going to die so I was quite surprised I was still alive at the end of the show”; indeed the second season ended with both Mirren and Ford’s characters surviving, while Alex (played by Julia Schlaepfer) finally makes it...

Taylor Sheridan may be pointing fingers at Kevin Costner for Yellowstone’s sudden sunset, but let’s be real, it’s not the full story. Sure, scheduling drama and behind-the-scenes tension didn’t help, but if 1923 Season 2 is any clue, Sheridan’s creative tank might be running on empty. The sprawling spin-off looks great on paper, but it’s starting to feel more like aesthetic filler than frontier fire.

So blaming it all on Costner? A little too convenient. Maybe Yellowstone’s end wasn’t just about clashing egos, it might’ve been about a story that had already ridden off into the narrative sunset.

Kevin Costner’s exit killed Yellowstone but 1923 says otherwise Kevin Costner as John Dutton in Yellowstone | Credits: Paramount Network

So Taylor Sheridan says Kevin Costner is why Yellowstone ended early. And sure, that’s the headline but after watching 1923 Season 2, I’m not totally buying it.

After watching Sicario, I knew Taylor Sheridan wasn’t afraid to go dark. That film pulled the rug out from under me in the best, most brutal way. So when Yellowstone started closing in on its final chapter, I expected that same level of bold, ruthless storytelling.

Sheridan once admitted Sicario‘s big twist was a huge concern for him, but he went there anyway. That’s the kind of risk I thought we’d see with the Duttons. But so far, it’s felt weirdly restrained. I kept waiting for the gut-punch, and now I’m not sure it’s coming at all.

Taylor Sheridan’s Sicario twist had us bracing for a Yellowstone shocker A still from Sicario: Day of the Soldado | Credit: Lionsgate Films

I went into the Yellowstone finale expecting Sicario energy. You know, that cold, brutal “nobody wins” punch Sheridan delivered so flawlessly. But what...

“I had the time of my life… and I owe it all to you…” crooned Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes, and that’s exactly how many of us might have felt watching Sicario, Hell or High Water, and Wind River: Taylor Sheridan’s hat trick of cinematic brilliance. But then? Just like your favorite indie band selling out to do car commercials, Sheridan probably packed up his grit and gravitas, tossed his writer’s pen into a pile of ranch dust, and saddled up to milk Yellowstone for every billion it’s worth. Pun absolutely intended!

Let’s not beat around the bush; Sheridan was on a creative bender for the ages. One movie after another, each sharper than a cactus in cowboy boots. He was slicing through the American psyche like a hot knife through gun oil. Then, instead of diving deeper into raw, jagged-edge storytelling, he planted his...

On Thursday May 1 2025, Logo broadcasts RuPaul’s Drag Race!

B.tch, I’m a Drag Queen! Season 17 Episode 4 Episode Summary

The upcoming episode of “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” titled “B.tch, I’m a Drag Queen!” promises to be a thrilling ride for fans of the show. In this episode, the queens will take on a unique challenge that celebrates some of the most memorable moments from “Drag Race” history. Each contestant will showcase their singing talents by performing songs inspired by iconic scenes and quotes from the series, bringing nostalgia and excitement to the stage.

Adding to the excitement, actress Julia Schlaepfer will join as a guest judge. Known for her vibrant performances and engaging presence, she is sure to bring a fresh perspective to the judging panel. The combination of her insights and the queens’ creativity is expected to create a dynamic atmosphere that highlights both talent and entertainment.

As...

I’ve been a faithful simp for Taylor Sheridan’s 1923, but what he did to Alex was absolutely unforgivable. After everything she endured, all the near-death escapes, and that all-consuming love story with Spencer, she deserved a heroic arc. Instead, Sheridan turned her into a damsel with bad timing and worse decisions.

Alex was fearless, fiery, and ready to burn the world down for Spencer. She fought so hard just to be sidelined like that? C’mon, Taylor, Alex deserved better than a love story derailed by lazy plot devices and cheap heartbreak.

Taylor Sheridan did Alex dirty in 1923, and I’m not over it Julia Schlaepfer as Alex in 1923 | Credits: Paramount Network

1923 had me roped in tighter than a Dutton family secret. But when Taylor Sheridan decided Alexandra’s fate in Season 2: Man, I was ready to throw my remote at the prairie wind.

This was so damn unearned.

[Editor’s Note: This list was originally published in February 2018. It has been updated to include new shows, including “The Last of Us.”]

Dwelling on death isn’t exactly healthy if you think about it the wrong way — except TV deaths, which leave special, agonizing scars. Losing a TV character you’ve spent years with hits hard, and can often change the course of the series moving forward. Someone like prickly “Succession” patriarch Logan Roy (Brian Cox) was integral not only to the narrative, but to how each and every other character relates to one another and to their core attributes and aspirations. “Succession” was simply not the same show without him. Other deaths devastate you by building up a character into someone you love — which is why so many fans struggled with the gruesome death of Pedro Pascal’s Joel in “The Last of Us.”

To process (or calcify) our feelings, IndieWire’s TV team collected the biggest TV deaths of the 21st century — deaths that were not only shocking and hurtful,...

Spoiler Alert !!!'1923' Season 2 Spoilers Ahead!

Around three weeks ago, Taylor Sheridan brought to an end yet another sensational story of his by concluding the second season of 1923, pulling a lot of strings out of which some sat beautifully while others struck tragically. In fact, from what I observed, I can’t help but feel like the brainbox went seriously biased with one character while completely destroying Alex.

Although Sheridan crafted almost all the arcs super interestingly, some of his decisions felt arguably biased to me, like he favored some characters over others. One of those ostensibly backed up by him included Jerome Flynn’s Banner Creighton, whose arc ended on a beautiful note after substantial character development, while Julia Schlapfer’s Alex continued to suffer.

Taylor Sheridan biasedly allowed Banner’s arc to end on a beautiful note in 1923 Jerome Flynn as Banner. | Credits: 1923 / Paramount Pictures.

Jerome Flynn...

Season 17 of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” continues to heat up with Episode 4, titled “B.tch, I’m a Drag Queen!” This exciting episode promises to be a memorable one, filled with laughter, creativity, and plenty of fierce competition. The queens will take on a fun challenge that involves singing songs inspired by iconic moments from “Drag Race” history. Fans of the show can expect to see some nostalgic references that will surely bring back fond memories.

Joining the panel this week is the talented actress Julia Schlaepfer, who will serve as a guest judge. Her fresh perspective and enthusiasm for the drag scene will add an exciting twist to the judging process. The queens will need to channel their inner divas and deliver standout performances to impress both RuPaul and the guest judge.

As the competition heats up, tensions may rise, and viewers can anticipate some dramatic moments. With the stakes higher than ever,...

At this point, I can’t even pretend to be surprised by Taylor Sheridan’s obsession with putting his female characters through the wringer. 1923 might be his latest playground, but that pattern started way back with Yellowstone, and Beth Dutton was the original test subject. Don’t get me wrong though, I love a complex, messy woman on screen.

But you see, when every single arc starts feeling like a trauma Olympics, it stops being bold and starts being exhausting. I get that Ts thrives on grit, but why does that always mean women have to suffer the most? It’s not edgy anymore.

Taylor Sheridan’s women: Broken, bruised, and barely written Taylor Sheridan in Yellowstone Season 4, Episode 4 | Credits: Paramount Network

Let’s not pretend what I said in the subhead came out of nowhere. 1923 handed us a finale that felt more like a punishment than a payoff, and I did see that coming.

Taylor Sheridan’s 1923 came to a dramatic end, and fans are still trying to process everything that went down. The Spencer and Alex storyline had been building for what felt like forever, so naturally, expectations were sky-high for their final chapter. But just when everyone thought they’d finally get a breather, Sheridan threw one last emotional punch.

Now, in classic internet fashion, fans have started rewriting the ending, and one alternate version has taken off like wildfire. This twist involves Alex being kidnapped, and the way it plays out is wildly gripping. It’s the kind of plotline that makes the original ending look a bit underwhelming in comparison.

The fan-created version doesn’t just change the mood, it reshapes the entire story’s emotional payoff. Whether you’re still mourning or just curious about what could’ve been, this alternate ending is causing serious waves, and for good reason.

Spoiler Alert !!!Spoilers for 1923 Season 2 Ahead- Proceed with caution!

You know what they say: the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. And in the case of the Dutton family, that tree is a storm waiting to hit. After the gut-wrenching finale of 1923 Season 2, I can’t escape the feeling that the stage has been set for a sibling rivalry of epic proportions in the 1944 prequel.

With the birth of John Dutton II and Elizabeth’s child growing up in the shadow of the Dutton legacy, we’re in for a showdown that could split the family right down the middle. I mean, you don’t name a kid John Dutton and expect him to just sit quietly in the back, do you? These Duttons might clash, and if history is anything to go by, it won’t be pretty.

1944: The bitter sibling rivalry looming between John II...

Ah, the bittersweet beauty of life’s twisted, knotted path—sometimes, the scars of our past mold the masterpieces of our future. For Taylor Sheridan, the genius behind Yellowstone, his story isn’t just one of cowboy hats and sprawling ranches; it’s one of personal pain, relentless determination, and ultimately, triumph.

His path wasn’t paved with privilege; it was built with sweat, grit, and a refusal to give up. From the sting of a family’s lost ranch to riding solo in his car with nothing but his dog and a dream, Sheridan’s journey to creating Yellowstone wasn’t just about the wild west—it was about channeling his very personal heartaches into the world of TV.

How Taylor Sheridan’s childhood loss shaped Yellowstone’s fight for the family ranch Julia Schlaepfer as Alex. | Credits: 1923 / Paramount Pictures

In the world of Yellowstone, the rugged beauty of...

Since 2018, the Yellowstone franchise has been one of the most popular TV franchises. In a few short years, we've seen five seasons of Yellowstone and two spinoffs. One of those spinoffs, 1923, just wrapped up its second season in 2025, and there are even more Yellowstone shows in the works.

At the time of publishing, there's at least three Yellowstone shows officially in development all from series creator Taylor Sheridan, including 1944, The Madison starring Michelle Pfiefer, and the potential spinoff that continues the major Yellowstone arc with Beth Dutton and Rip Wheeler. 6666, which was ordered years ago, is also in the works, too. So, that makes four Yellowstone shows that could be something in the next few years.

After watching 1883, 1923, and Yellowstone, I ranked the three Yellowstone shows so far from worst to best. Thankfully, it wasn't too challenging. There are definitely tiers to these shows!

3. 1883 Pictured: Sam Elliott as Shea of...

[This story contains spoilers from 1883, 1923 and Yellowstone.]

If you don’t quite have a handle on the sprawling Dutton family tree, that’s intentional.

After the massive success of flagship series Yellowstone, Taylor Sheridan traveled back in time to explore the origins of the central family in the saga, first with prequel series 1883 and then with 1923, which released its record-setting season two finale on April 6.

Each Paramount+ prequel has introduced a new generation of Duttons. 1883 put on the board the Duttons who would settle in Montana what we know to be the Yellowstone ranch, while 1923 followed the Duttons who fought to the death to keep it. Just like 1883 birthed the characters who would go on to feature in 1923, the latter series has now paved a path to the next prequel series coming from Sheridan: 1944.

1944 was announced as the next prequel spinoff back when Paramount Network announced that Yellowstone would be ending. At the time, no...

Just like its mothership series, 1923 went out with a bang, not a whimper. The Yellowstone prequel managed to draw a major audience for its final episode.

Per Variety, Paramount's internal streaming data has revealed that the 1923 series finale, "A Dream and a Memory," delivered 14 million viewers globally in its first seven days of availability, with a view defined as total watch time divided by run time. That is an increase of 41 percent from the Season 1 finale, "Nothing Left to Lose," which premiered on Paramount+ on Feb. 26, 2023. The average viewership for Season 2 of 1923 also saw an increase of 46 percent compared to Season 1.

Created by Yellowstone franchise creator Taylor Sheridan, 1923 is set decades before the events of the mothership series, introducing audiences to a new generation of Duttons, led by patriarch Jacob and matriarch Cara, portrayed by Harrison Ford and Helen Mirren, respectively. The series follows the fan-favorite family as they...

“1923” set records for Paramount+ right until the end. The Season 2 finale became the most-watched episode in the history of the drama, securing 14 million global viewers. And with that, “1923” has officially joined the ranks of “Landman” and “Tulsa King” to become one of Paramount+’s top three global series of all time. It should be noted that all three of these record-breaking series come from super producer Taylor Sheridan.

Viewership for the Season 2 finale was up 41% compared to Season 1’s finale, which saw 10 million global viewers. As for the season overall, the average viewership was up 46% compared to Season 1. These numbers are based on internal streaming data from Paramount+. “1923” was also a hit on social media with Season 2 delivering 163 million views. That’s am eight-time increase compared to Season 1’s 21 million views.

From MTV Entertainment Studios, 101 Studios and Bosque Ranch Productions, “1923” is a prequel to “Yellowstone” from Sheridan.

The series finale of “Yellowstone” prequel “1923” has pulled in an impressive audience since its April 6 debut.

According to Paramount internal streaming data, the final episode has delivered 14 million viewers globally in its first seven days of availability, with a view defined as total watch time divided by run time. Per Paramount, that is up 41% versus the Season 1 finale, with the average viewership for Season 2 up 46% compared to Season 1.

As previously announced, “1944” will be the next “Yellowstone” prequel at Paramount+, following “1883” and “1923.” The exact nature of the story is being kept under wraps, but it will no doubt delve into how World War II has impacted the Yellowstone Ranch and the Duttons.

Spoilers For “1923” Ahead

In the series finale of “1923,” it is revealed that Spencer Dutton (played by Brandon Sklenar) loses his wife Alex (Julia Schlaepfer), but lives another 45 years as he raises their son.

The Season 2 finale of 1923 has amassed 14M views in the week since it debuted on Paramount+, per parent company Paramount Global.

That’s the biggest audience ever for the series, marking a 41% versus the Season 1 finale audience of 10M. This caps a successful season of growth for the Yellowstone prequel with Season 2 averaging a 46% increase over the Season 1 audience, according to Paramount.

Paramount Global now defines “viewers” as total watch time divided by run time. Deadline has denoted this metric as “views,” similar to reporting from other streamers like Netflix and Disney+, given that this is an estimation of the individual views, rather than a calculation of how many people were actually watching.

The series was pretty buzzy on social this season as well, delivering eight times the social views of the first season with 163M.

In Season 2, a cruel winter brings new challenges and unfinished business to Jacob (Harrison Ford...

Taylor Sheridan isn’t just the mastermind behind cowboy chaos and small-town shootouts, he’s also got one hell of a sense of timing. Turns out, his highest-grossing movie almost didn’t see the light of day and not because of studio drama or budget cuts. Nope, it’s because Sheridan thinks if he’d written it just five years later, the entire vibe would’ve flopped.

In an industry where trends shift faster than a quick draw, Sheridan knew exactly when to strike. The stars aligned, the script clicked, and the box office lit up. So what made this perfectly timed movie a hit? And why does Sheridan believe that five more years would’ve sunk it?

Taylor Sheridan in Yellowstone | Credits: Paramount Network

Let’s rewind and take a look at this Hollywood what-if with serious box office implications.

Taylor Sheridan admitted Sicario would’ve never happened five...

1923 had us hooked like cowboys on black coffee and bad decisions. But when Taylor Sheridan decided Alexandra’s fate in Season 2, he may’ve saddled up the wrong horse entirely. We’re talking about a move so baffling, it makes you wonder if someone spiked the script notes.

Alexandra, one of the freshest sparks in the Dutton drama, got sidelined in a twist that felt more like a facepalm than a plot point. And here’s the real kicker: it wasn’t just bad for fans; it was a straight-up money blunder.

Taylor Sheridan in Yellowstone | Credits: Paramount Network Taylor Sheridan killed the fan-favorite Alex, and the franchise’s momentum

Taylor Sheridan really fumbled the bag with this one. Killing off Alexandra in 1923 Season 2 was flat-out dumb. As in, Titanic-door-room-for-two level dumb. She never even made it to the ranch. And for what? To die in a hospital bed after...

The thrilling prequel to Yellowstone, 1923, is not for the faint of heart. Brandon Sklenar plays the rugged Spencer Dutton, and he had to push his limits for this role. He has faced down stampeding elephants, wrestled with lions, and even thrown punches in a gritty underground fight club on a rocking ship.

Brandon Sklenar and Julia Schlaepfer as Spencer and Alex in 1923 | Credits: Paramount+

These intense moments showcase Spencer, played by Brandon Sklenar, as a person shaped by grit and resilience. But amidst all the planned chaos, there was an unexpected incident: a helmet gone rogue that left Sklenar with a lasting mark on his head, which he eventually had to fix with superglue.

1923 actor Brandon Sklenar hurts himself while shooting Brandon Sklenar in 1923 | image: Paramount+

Sklenar’s portrayal of Spencer Dutton is a masterclass in controlled chaos. The character, a war veteran turned adventurer, roams the wilds of 1920s Africa and beyond,...

One of the most popular and successful Western drama series, 1923, is an addition to Taylor Sheridan’s Yellowstone universe. It stars Brandon Sklenar, Harrison Ford, Helen Mirren, and others as a part of the Dutton clan, constantly trying to save the ranch. Season two of 1923 concluded on April 6, 2025, leaving fans devastated with a heartbreaking finale.

Brandon Sklenar and Julia Schlaepfer | Credits: Paramount+

The show has received a lot of support and positive response from the critics and audience for its storyline, direction, and performances of the cast members. Taylor Sheridan is known to be very precise with his scenes in the show, and one such example is Spencer Dutton and Donald Whitfield’s confrontation in the finale episode.

Brandon Sklenar recalls his scene with Timothy Dalton’s Donald Whitfield in the 1923 finale

Actor Brandon Sklenar’s Spencer Dutton, who, after a lot of challenges, finally makes it back in...

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.

Brandon Sklenar and Julia Schlaepfer in 1923 | Credits: Paramount+

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...

1923 had me on the hook with all its drama, sweeping landscapes, and that sizzling chemistry between Spencer and Alex. And yeah, even though Alex got hit with the heartbreak bus, I was almost ready to forgive him. Almost. But then came that absurd, tone-twisting Whitefield scene, and nope, I’m out.

That mess felt like it belonged in a different show entirely. Super unhinged. Absolutely unnecessary. Sheridan’s got range, sure, but that bit was a wild detour I refuse to excuse. You don’t drop chaos for shock value and call it genius, Ts, you do not.

Taylor Sheridan in Yellowstone | Credits: Paramount Network Taylor Sheridan’s 1923: Villains got the spotlight while heroes got shortchanged Brandon Sklenar and Julia Schlaepfer in 1923 | Credits: Paramount Network

I’m still bitter about Alexandra’s death in 1923, but somehow, I was okay letting it slide. Alex died a mother and a fighter.

We knew there would be more. The Yellowstone universe is far from finished — and now, it’s heading into wartime. With 1923 officially in the rearview mirror, Variety is reporting that 1944 is the next prequel in Taylor Sheridan’s ever-expanding Dutton family saga.

While plot details are being kept tightly under wraps, 1944 will naturally explore how World War II impacts the iconic Yellowstone Ranch and its most stubborn inhabitants. Following the Emmy-nominated 1883 and Golden Globe-nominated 1923, the new series will be the third period piece in the hit Western franchise, which also has three sequel series coming up. Keeping up, folks?

The ending of 1923 lays the perfect groundwork for 1944. In the final episode, Spencer Dutton (Brandon Sklenar) tragically loses his wife Alex (Julia Schlaepfer) but is confirmed to live for another 45 years. He raises their son — John Dutton II — who, we assume, grows up to be the father of Yellowstone's John Dutton III,...

We're a long time into it, so by now, Yellowstone fans are experts at drawing family trees—and they’ve been working overtime since the emotional Season 2 finale of 1923. In the final episode, Alex (Julia Schlaepfer) gives birth to her and Spencer Dutton’s son, John, just before tragically dying in a hospital bed. But even in death, Alex leaves behind one of the biggest lingering questions in Taylor Sheridan’s ever-expanding saga: is this newborn John the father of Kevin Costner’s John Dutton III? Well, both Schlaepfer and co-star Brandon Sklenar, who plays Spencer, have now addressed that theory—and while they don’t confirm anything, they’re certainly intrigued by the possibility.

“It’s fun to think about. That it ties into the whole world,” Schlaepfer told USA Today. “The only person who could confirm that is Taylor Sheridan himself, out of his mouth.” Sklenar, meanwhile, gave...

Anyone who watched the series premiere of 1923 in December 2022 knew right away that movie stardom was an inevitability for Brandon Sklenar. His war hero and big-game hunter character, Spencer Dutton, instantly made him a popular choice among fancasters to lead any number of action and superhero franchises (more on this later). The Taylor Sheridan-penned Western drama series also made a point to give the actor plenty of dramatic and romantic material, opening the door to a trio of films with thematic connections.

Last year, Sklenar played Atlas Corrigan in the box office hit, It Ends with Us, and the drama about an abusive relationship quickly became a lightning rod for controversy due to the off-screen legal contention between star-producer Blake Lively and director-star Justin Baldoni. Sklenar’s character recognized that his childhood friend and first love, Lily Bloom (Lively), was an active victim of domestic violence, and so he...