1923Cast: Meet the Actors and Characters Behind theYellowstoneSpinoff

Mar. 15, 2025

Harrison Ford as Jacob Dutton on ‘1923’.Photo:Emerson Miller/Paramount+

Emerson Miller/Paramount+

Taylor Sheridanmight not have made1923if it weren’t for the cast he secured for the series.

TheYellowstonecreator toldDeadlinethat he wrote Jacob Dutton specifically forHarrison Ford— and that he didn’t begin writing until Ford committed to the role (which he did over some wine). AfterHelen Mirrensigned on, Sheridan was ready to find the rest of his cast and write.

“When you can find anchors like Harrison and Helen, then it lets me go and discover the next generation of movie stars, which is my favorite thing to do,” Sheridan said. “Go find somebody no one has ever heard of, because our business doesn’t make stars anymore.”

The method worked well: The Paramount+ show had the highest ratings for any series premiere on the platform, perVariety, and is the firstYellowstonespinoffto get asecond season, which premieres on Paramount+ on Feb. 23.

From how they began their careers in Hollywood to interesting insight into their characters, here’s everything to know about the cast of1923.

Harrison Ford as Jacob Dutton

Harrison Ford as Jacob Dutton in the Paramount+ series ‘1923’ ; Harrison Ford attends the Cannes Film Festival on March 19, 2023.James Minchin III/Paramount+ ;  Laurent KOFFEL/Gamma-Rapho/Getty

James Minchin III/Paramount+ ;  Laurent KOFFEL/Gamma-Rapho/Getty

Chicago-bornHarrison Fordwas an early career actor who became a self-taught carpenter to make ends meet before crossing paths withGeorge Lucas, who cast him inAmerican Graffitiand as quick-draw pilot Han Solo inStar Wars.

Ford went on to star in more franchises, including playing the titularIndiana Jonesand joining the Marvel Cinematic Universe asThaddeus Ross.

An avid pilot, Ford said that he saw parallels betweenJacob’s experiences and his own, most notably when Ford crash-landed a vintage plane in 2015 after an engine failure. (Since the incident, his wifeCalista Flockhartwon’t fly with him inolder aircrafts.)

Ford specifically cited a scene in which Jacob’s wife, Cara Dutton (Mirren), takes command of the situation after Jacob is injured, explaining, “Even when I talk about it now, it emotionally relates to the airplane crash I had and what my wife went through.”

Helen Mirren as Cara Dutton

Helen Mirren as Cara Dutton in the Paramount+ series ‘1923’ ; Helen Mirren attends the Ora! Film Festival on June 03, 2023 in Monopoli, Italy.James Minchin III/Paramount+ ; Daniele Venturelli/Getty

James Minchin III/Paramount+ ; Daniele Venturelli/Getty

Helen Mirrenstars as matriarch Cara Dutton, marking the second time the British actress has worked with Ford. She first played his love interest in the 1986 drama filmThe Mosquito Coast.

Mirren, who datedLiam Neesonin the early 1980s and married directorTaylor Hackfordin 1997, admitted that filming love scenes with Ford was a highlight of1923.

“I’m lying there and I’m thinking, ‘I’m in bed with Harrison Ford.’ I was so excited, I can’t tell you. I had topretend to be cool,” she joked in an April 2023 interview. “He’s come to a place where he can be easy with other actors. It’s immensely generous and incredibly professional. Not remotely spoiled movie star, at all. I genuinely love him.”

The feeling was mutual: Ford told PEOPLE, “I admire her workand her person [now], and I have all the same degree of admiration for her as I did then.”

Brandon Sklenar as Spencer Dutton

Brandon Sklenar as Spencer Dutton in the Paramount+ series ‘1923’ ; Brandon Sklenar attends the 2023 Variety Television Screening Series presents ‘1923’ on February 24, 2023 in Los Angeles, California.Emerson Miller/Paramount+ ; Andrew Toth/Variety/Getty

Emerson Miller/Paramount+ ; Andrew Toth/Variety/Getty

Brandon Sklenar stars as Spencer Dutton, Jacob and Cara’s nephew whom they raised.

“It’s definitely the best character I’ve played andmy favorite experienceworking thus far,” he said. “It’s kind of impossible to not have that experience when you’re working with these people and with this material.”

Sklenar will star in the upcoming filmIt Ends with UsoppositeBlake Lively.

Julia Schlaepfer as Alexandra

Julia Schlaepfer as Alexandra in the Paramount+ series ‘1923’ ; Julia Schlaepfer at Elle Hollywood Rising 2023 held at The Georgian Room at The Georgian Hotel on May 11, 2023 in Santa Monica, California.Emerson Miller/Paramount+ ; Anna Webber/Variety/Getty

Emerson Miller/Paramount+ ; Anna Webber/Variety/Getty

Born in Bellevue, Washington, actress Julia Schlaepfer stars as Alexandra in1923, her second major role after Netflix’sThe Politician.

“We are so dirty at the end ofevery filming day, but it is the greatest feeling in the world,” she told PEOPLE of filming1923in Africa.

Schlaepfer added that playing Alexandra inspired her to love herself as she is.

“She wore her heart on her sleeve and she’s so outgoing and vibrant and doesn’t care what anybody thinks about her,” she said. “It was really nice for me to have to embrace that side of myself.”

Isabel May as Elsa Dutton

Isabel May as Elsa in the Paramount+ original series ‘1883’ ; Isabel May attends the 2022 CMT Music Awards at Nashville Municipal Auditorium on April 11, 2022 in Nashville, Tennessee.Emerson Miller/Paramount+ ; Kevin Mazur/Getty

Emerson Miller/Paramount+ ; Kevin Mazur/Getty

Prior to playing Elsa Dutton in1923, Isabel May starred on Netflix’sAlexa & Katieand CBS’Young Sheldon. May is reprising her role from1883— and she’s the only member of the “Sheridan-verse” to have a lead actor credit on more than one of his series.

Sheridan cast May as Elsa after she auditioned for a part inMayor of Kingstownthat didn’t turn out to be the right fit.

“He called two weeks later and said, ‘You’re Elsa Dutton. I want you to be Elsa Dutton. Please be Elsa Dutton,’ " May toldThe Hollywood Reporter. “And I said, ‘Well, of course, I’ll be Elsa Dutton because you’re Taylor Sheridan and it’s my dream to work with you.’ "

Timothy Dalton as Donald Whitfield

Timothy Dalton as Donald Whitfield in the Paramount+ series ‘1923’ ; Timothy Dalton attends the ‘1923’ Las Vegas premiere screening on December 03, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada.Christopher Saunders/Paramount+ ; Denise Truscello/Getty

Christopher Saunders/Paramount+ ; Denise Truscello/Getty

Screen legend Timothy Dalton plays cunning businessman Donald Whitfield in1923, but he’s best known for starring asJames BondinThe Living Daylights(1987) andLicence to Kill(1989).

Dalton saw massive success withThe Living Daylights, but his subsequent Bond film,Licence to Kill, didn’t perform as well in the U.S. He was contracted with MGM to do three Bond movies, but a lawsuit between MGM and Eon Productions lasted nearly five years and delayed the film that would becomeGoldenEye.

“I thought, ‘Oh, no, that would be the rest of my life. Too much. Too long,’ " he recalled. “So I respectfully declined.” Daltonwas replacedwithPierce Brosnanwho starred in the four projects over seven years.

Dalton, who shares son Alexander with ex-girlfriend Oksana Grigorieva, toldThe New York Timesthat1923wasn’t an easy project to take on — their Montana set was plagued with blizzards and freezing temperatures.

“It was a nightmare,” he recounted. “We are on top of a hill with a blasting wind coming at us. The cameras freeze up. Your toes freeze up.”

Robert Patrick as Sheriff William McDowell

Robert Patrick as Sheriff McDowell in the Paramount+ series ‘1923’ ; Robert Patrick poses for a photo posted on Instagram.Christopher T. Saunders/Paramount+ ; Robert Patrick Instagram

Christopher T. Saunders/Paramount+ ; Robert Patrick Instagram

Robert Patrick plays Sheriff William McDowell, a friend and ally to the Dutton family — but Patrick is best known for playing villains.

Patrick was born in Marietta, Georgia, and didn’t become an actor until his 20s. After small roles inRoger Corman’s movies, he played antagonist O’Reilly inDie Hard 2(1990). In November 1990, he married his wife Barbara Hooper, with whom he shares two children.

His breakout role came in 1991 as the android T-1000 inTerminator 2: Judgment Day. Patricktold Den of Geekthat he owed his career to that gig, adding, “I can’t think of a cooler way to be introduced to the world than as the nemesis inTerminator 2.”

Patrick’s newfound fame affected his alcoholism, which he said led to him losing some career momentum.

Since then, Patrick has had other memorable roles inThe X-Files,The Sopranos,The Walking Dead,Walk the Line,Sons of Anarchy,ScorpionandPeacemaker.

Michael Greyeyes as Hank Plenty Clouds

Michael Greyeyes as Hank in the Paramount+ series ‘1922’ ; Michael Greyeyes attends the 2022 Film Independent Spirit Awards on March 06, 2022 in Santa Monica, California.Christopher Saunders/Paramount+ ; Amanda Edwards/Getty

Christopher Saunders/Paramount+ ; Amanda Edwards/Getty

Michael Greyeyes stars as Hank Plenty Clouds in1923.

In 2017, Greyeyes began appearing as Qaletaqa Walker inFear the Walking Deadand starred as Sitting Bull inWoman Walks AheadwithJessica Chastain. He toldEntertainment Weeklythat the film was a huge step forward for Indigenous representation in film.

“We’ve always been part of cinema, but the role of Native artists as participants has increased over the years,” he said. “I find that it’s an old battle, for us. We struggle against stereotypes, against erasure.”

Greyeyes later took on roles inTrue Detective,Star Trek: DiscoveryandAmerican Godsbefore starring as Hank in1923. In November 2022, hewrote on Instagramthat his horse for the show, Ed, was an “excellent fellow.”

Michelle Randolph as Elizabeth “Liz” Strafford

Michelle Randolph as Elizabeth in the Paramount+ series ‘1923’ ; Michelle Randolph attends Vanity Fair Campaign Hollywood and TikTok Celebrate Vanities: A Night For Young Hollywood at Mes Amis on March 08, 2023 in Los Angeles, California.Christopher Saunders/Paramount+ ; Jon Kopaloff/WireImage

Christopher Saunders/Paramount+ ; Jon Kopaloff/WireImage

Michelle Randolph stars as Elizabeth “Liz” Strafford in1923.

Randolph said her on-screen romance with Jack Dutton (Darren Mann) is akin to a fairy tale.

“Their relationship, I imagine, is like everyTaylor Swiftmusic video or cheesy love song,” she toldThe Hollywood Reporter. “It’s the perfect little love story, and it was fun being able to play into that because it’s not something I’ve experienced in my real life.”

1923wasn’t the first time Randolph and Mann played love interests: They previously starred as a couple in the 2017 horror filmHouse of the Witch.

Another interesting connection Randolph has in Hollywood happens to be with her sister,Cassie Randolph, who wonThe Bachelorin 2019.

Darren Mann as Jack Dutton

Darren Mann as Jack Dutton in the Paramount+ series ‘1923’ ; Darren Mann attends the ‘1923’ Las Vegas premiere screening on December 03, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada.Emerson Miller/Paramount+ ; David Becker/Getty

Emerson Miller/Paramount+ ; David Becker/Getty

While he initiallypursued professional hockey, Mann began studying acting when he was 19, and his athleticism landed him the starring role in the MMA indie filmEmbattled(2020).

He shared the screen withYellowstonestarCole HauserinThe Minute You Wake Up Dead(2022) and had a recurring role inAnimal Kingdom (2022) before starring in1923as Jack Dutton.

“I was a massive Taylor Sheridan fan. I’ve been itching to work with Taylor for years,” Mann toldScreen Rant. “I can remember at TIFF 2018, they asked me, ‘Who do you want to work with?’ And I was like, ‘Taylor Sheridan. I’m gonna do it. I’m gonna find him. I have to.’ "

James Badge Dale as John Dutton Sr.

James Badge Dale as John Dutton Sr. in the Paramount+ series ‘1923’ ; James Badge Dale attends the ‘On Our Way’ world premiere at Village East Cinema on May 18, 2023 in New York City.Emerson Miller/Paramount+ ; Manny Carabel/Getty

Emerson Miller/Paramount+ ; Manny Carabel/Getty

James Badge Dale plays rugged cowboy John Dutton Sr., but in real life, he has a Hollywood pedigree.

The son of director and choreographer Grover Dale and late actress and singer Anita Morris, Dale was born in New York City and raised in Los Angeles. When he was 10 years old, he was cast in the film adaptation ofLord of the Flies(1990).

“For four months, we were just running around the jungle causing trouble,” he toldVanity Fair. “And then I came back to the United States and I quickly realized that this is work. This is a job, this is business. And I’m 10, 11 years old and I don’t want to have a job.”

Dale returned to acting in 2003 inNola, oppositeEmmy Rossum.

As an adult, Dale has had notable roles in projects like24,The Walk,Iron Man 3,Only the BraveandWorld War Z. He shares a son, Cassius, with his longtime partner, formerNCISstarEmily Wickersham.

Marley Shelton as Emma Dutton

Marley Shelton as Emma Dutton in the Paramount+ series ‘1923’ ; Marley Shelton attends the ‘1923’ Las Vegas premiere screening on December 03, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada.Christopher Saunders/Paramount+ ; David Becker/Getty

Christopher Saunders/Paramount+ ; David Becker/Getty

Marley Shelton hit it big thanks to a brief but memorable turn in the 1993 cult classicThe Sandlotas lifeguard Wendy Peffercorn.

Shelton, who stars as Emma Dutton in1923, toldDeciderthat one of her favorite on-set memories was meeting Mirren for the first time.

“She came floating in during breakfast and came up to our table before our morning ride. She said, ‘You must be the actors’ and asked if she could sit down,” Shelton recalled. “We were all pretty star-struck, and she just immediately put everybody at ease as she does.”

Jerome Flynn as Banner Creighton

Jerome Flynn as Banner Creighton in the Paramount+ series ‘1923’ ; Jerome Flynn attends the season 8 premiere of ‘Game of Thrones’ at Radio City Music Hall on April 3, 2019 in New York City.Emerson Miller/Paramount+ ; Taylor Hill/Getty

Emerson Miller/Paramount+ ; Taylor Hill/Getty

Faith HillandTim McGrawaren’t the only chart-topping stars in the Sheridan-verse.

Flynn and hisSoldier Soldiercostar Robson Green performed a rendition of the Righteous Brothers' classic “Unchained Melody” on the show andSimon Cowellconvinced them to record it as a single. It became the highest-selling song in the U.K. in 1995,per BBC News, leading the duo to release more music as Robson & Jerome.

FlynntoldThe Independentthat Cowell’s genius led him to leave the business in 2000. “Simon put us together and made a product — a very successful one, but it was like being on a Disney ride,” he said. “It got very overwhelming and just kind of unreal.”

In 2010, after nearly a decade away from the spotlight, Flynn returned to the mainstream when he was cast as Bronn in HBO’sGame of Thrones. He followed withRipper StreetalongsideSuccession’sMatthew MacFadyenand theBlack Mirrorepisode “Shut Up and Dance.”

Aminah Nieves as Teonna Rainwater

Aminah Nieves as Teonna Rainwater in the Paramount+ series ‘1923’ ; Aminah Nieves attends the Deadline Contenders Television event at Directors Guild Of America on April 16, 2023 in Los Angeles, California.Randy Shropshire/Deadline/Getty

Randy Shropshire/Deadline/Getty

Nieves toldDeadlinethat, in real life, Jennifer Ehle (who plays Sister Mary, an abusive nun at the school) is “tender and kind.” Nieves is also close with her on-screen cousin — especially after shooting a scene where nuns attacked Teonna.

“They yell ‘cut,’ and I hear Leenah Robinson, who plays my cousin Baapuxti, scream, ‘Get off of her!’ They were already off me,” Nieves recalled. “But when you are put in these situations, she was just scared. You’re witnessing all the traumas at once. I think that was a life-changing moment for me because I knew she was my sister for life.”

Jennifer Ehle as Sister Mary

Jennifer Ehle as Sister Mary in the Paramount+ series ‘1923’ ; Jennifer Ehle attends the ‘1923’ Costume Exhibit, Interview and Reception at Paley Center For Media on April 29, 2023 in New York City.Emerson Miller/Paramount ; Roy Rochlin/Getty

Emerson Miller/Paramount ; Roy Rochlin/Getty

Jennifer Ehle, daughter of author John Ehle and actress Rosemary Harris, began acting in the U.K. in the early 1990s, earning a BAFTA for best actress for starring as Elizabeth Bennet in the BBCPride and Prejudiceminiseries oppositeColin Firth.

In 2000, Ehle and her mother were both nominated for best actress in a play at theTony Awards— and Ehle won for her role as Annie inThe Real Thing. Ehle earned another Tony in 2007 and was nominated for a third in 2017. She has also starred in movies likeZero Dark ThirtyandThe King’s Speech.

Ehle began doing more screen work in 2020; shetoldThe Guardianshe made this shift because raising her two children, whom she shares with her husband, Michael Ryan, was challenging with a theater schedule.

She appeared inSaint Maud,The Good Fight,SuspicionandThe Comey Rulebefore starring as Sister Mary in1923.

Sebastian Roché as Father Renaud

Sebastian Roché as Father Renaud in the Paramount+ series ‘1923’ ; Sebastian Roché attends the Los Angeles premiere of Max Original limited series ‘Love & Death’ on April 26, 2023 in Los Angeles, California.Emerson Miller/Paramount+ ; Unique Nicole/WireImage

Emerson Miller/Paramount+ ; Unique Nicole/WireImage

Sebastian Roché stars as Father Renaud, a Catholic priest who heads the residential school.

Before filming a particularly brutal scene in1923, Roché apologized to his Indigenous castmates.

“I wanted to apologize for what we’re about to do, just to clear the air a bit and relieve the tension,” hetold Insider. “Because in that moment, I’m the perpetrator, I am the antagonist.”

Roché was born in Paris and spent much of his childhood sailing around the world with his family, hetoldSoap Opera Digest. He later studied at France’s prestigious acting schools.

In addition to movies likeThe Last of the Mohicans(1992), he appeared in over 300 episodes ofGeneral Hospitaland had recurring roles onSupernatural,Fringe,24,Criminal Minds,The Vampire Diaries,ScandalandBig Sky.

Roché was married toVera Farmigafrom 1997 to 2004. He wed Korean-Australian actress Alicia Hannah-Kim in 2014.

Brian Geraghty as Zane Davis

Brian Geraghty as Zane in the Paramount+ series ‘1923’ ; Brian Geraghty attends the ‘1923’ Las Vegas premiere screening on December 03, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada.Emerson Miller/Paramount+ ; David Becker/Getty

Brian Geraghty stars as Dutton Ranch’s foreman, Zane Davis. To prepare for the role, Geraghty and the cast went through “cowboy boot camp,” where they learned to lasso, walk in spurs and use firearms.

“We got to have highs and lows together before we started, which actually was really good for bonding,” he toldE! Newsin 2023.

The New Jersey-born actor previously appeared inBoardwalk Empire,The Hurt Locker, Flight,Big Sky,GaslitandChicago P.D.He’s in a relationship withUmbrella AcademystarGénesis Rodríguezand previously datedKrysten Ritter.

Jennifer Carpenter as Mamie Fossett

Jennifer Carpenter at the NBC New York City Winter Junket on January 24, 2019.Virginia Sherwood/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal/Getty

Virginia Sherwood/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal/Getty

Jennifer Carpenter plays Mamie Fossett in season 2 of1923.

According toDeadline, the actress will portray the U.S. Deputy Marshall, who is described as being confident while serving warrants and making arrests. Viewers will see Mamie throughout the second installment as a recurring character with a mindset “ahead of her time.”

During her more than two-decade-long career, Carpenter has appeared in several movies, likeWhite ChicksandThe Exorcism of Emily Roseand numerous shows, includingDexterandThe Enemy Within.

The actress is married to singer and musician Seth Avett of the rock bandThe Avett Brothers. The two went public with their romance in 2013 before welcoming their son Isaac in 2015.Carpenter and Avett wedin an intimate ceremony the following year.

source: people.com