While 1923 wrapped up Spencer Dutton and Alexandra's arc with a powerful and tragic conclusion, fans looking to see more of him in 1944 may not be entirely out of luck. And while Spencer probably won't come back as the main character on the upcoming prequel series, actor Brandon Sklenar has made clear that doesn’t mean he's gone for good.
The actor told Variety that he would like to return through the character somehow.
"I know that “1944” is a thing that they are planning on doing here, and maybe we see Spencer in 1944. That is something I would be interested in doing."
An emotional finale that broke hearts all over
In the 1923 finale, fans of the epic love story of Spencer and Alexandra felt they had been punched in the gut.
The couple had lived in different parts of Europe for over a year until Spencer came across the Atlantic Ocean, searching for her for months, giving up on decent meals, sleep, and hot water in motels across the USA.
Finally he found the girl of his dreams in Montana, only for her to die from blood poisoning due to severe frostbite that resulted from her refusal to amputate her limbs and instead tend to their newborn son. Julia Schlaepfer talked about how the ending affected her; she said,
"Well, for me personally, I was just sobbing for a very long time after reading it. The whole entire script, you are just crying the whole time. It’s wild because it is so devastating because we have been with these characters for three years, so really when Alex dies, a chunk of me dies with her. But it was the greatest honor of all time to get to bring that character to life, and I love her so much. It’s just really heartbreaking."
Brandon Sklenar on Spencer’s future
And of course, now the discourse has moved on to 1944, the rumored next prequel in Taylor Sheridan’s Duttonverse. Will Spencer Dutton be included in this picture?
In an interview with Variety, Sklenar continued to share his interest in reprising the role:
"I love this character. I’m sure Jules feels the same way, but this is my first television experience, and just walking around with this guy, this character, inside of you for three years, it’s crazy. He is still there. It has affected who I am, it has changed who I am. So I would love to continue to do it in any capacity if I could."
That doesn't confirm anything, obviously, but it doesn’t exactly disqualify Spencer from showing up in 1944, either. Sklenar’s affection for the character is palpable.
What could 1944 explore?
Though Paramount+ hasn’t formally announced 1944, the prequel is rumored to be in the works as a continuation of Taylor Sheridan’s ever-expanding Yellowstone universe.
If 1883 showed us how the Duttons made their way into Montana, and 1923 showcased their fight to hold onto that land during economic depression and global conflict, 1944 might cover the ways the family legacy operated during the Second World War and post-war period.
Others suspect that 1944 will follow John Dutton II, Spencer and Alexandra's son, who would have been a young adult by this time. It’s the perfect time to introduce the next generation of Duttons and the weight they bear — both of the ranch and of the emotional legacy of their parents.
And yet, the presence of Spencer Dutton looms large. Whether it’s flashbacks, letters, or even the character in an elderly version, Brandon Sklenar’s character's return could offer sorely needed continuity.
His heroic suffering in 1923 — trauma, love, war, and loss — in the end, made him a man of mythic heft. Returning to Spencer’s point of view or seeing him in later years could add emotional weight to 1944, particularly as his son starts to hold up the mantle of the Dutton name.
The Dutton legacy marches on
Taylor Sheridan has created an awe-inspiring tale of American history. 1923 added yet another chapter to that enduring legacy. At the center of it all was Spencer Dutton.
A man forged by war, weighed down by grief, and guided by love. His journey spanned from the battlefields of Africa to the snow-laden Montana and was at once tangential and deeply personal. Furthermore, 1923 ended his story in tragedy, but his character arc was evergreen.
Trending
Brandon Sklenar’s portrayal of Spencer was full of boundless emotion and gave him immense depth, fragility, and fortitude. It is to no one’s surprise that fans started a campaign to bring him back in 1944. After all, few have fought with heartache and have fiercely embraced the Dutton spirit the way Spencer did.
Spencer Dutton is not just a fragment. Irrespective of whether or not he is resurrected in 1944, Spencer Dutton embodies everything the Duttons stand for. His figure will loom over generations to come.
Reply
