‘1923’ Finale Sets the Stage for the Next Yellowstone Prequel, ‘1944’

The curtains have closed on ‘1923’, and what a ride it was. This Yellowstone prequel, starring big names like Harrison Ford and Helen Mirren, ended its second season with a two-hour finale that left us all talking. It aired on Paramount+ on April 6, 2025, and brought the Dutton family’s early 20th-century struggles to a dramatic close. Now, with this chapter done, the stage is set for the next piece of the puzzle—‘1944’, the upcoming prequel that’s already got us curious.

This isn’t just the end of a show. It’s a handover. ‘1923’ took us through the gritty days of Prohibition, drought, and the Great Depression, showing how the Duttons fought to keep their Montana ranch alive. Harrison Ford played Jacob Dutton, the tough patriarch, while Helen Mirren brought heart as his wife, Cara. The real spotlight, though, landed on Brandon Sklenar as Spencer Dutton, a war veteran who clawed his way back home to defend the family legacy. By the end, he’d made it, but not without a heavy cost.

The finale was brutal. Spencer’s wife, Alexandra, played by Julia Schlaepfer, didn’t make it. After a tough journey and giving birth to their son, John Dutton II, she passed away in a hospital bed next to Spencer. It was a gut punch, especially after all they’d been through. We also learned Spencer lived on until 1969, raising his son alone after losing Alex. That little detail—John Dutton II being born—ties straight into the bigger Yellowstone story, since he’s the dad of Kevin Costner’s character from the main series.

So where does ‘1944’ fit in? Well, it’s the next step. Set 20 years after ‘1923’, it’ll drop us into World War II, a time that’s bound to shake up the Dutton ranch again. Spencer could still be around—he’d be older, sure, but alive. Brandon Sklenar even hinted he’d be up for returning, saying he loves the character and how it’s changed him. Whether he’s back or we meet a new cast, the focus will likely shift to John Dutton II, who’d be about 20 years old in 1944. That puts him right in the mix to carry the family forward.

The handover feels smooth because ‘1923’ tied up its big fights. Spencer took down the villainous Donald Whitfield, ending that threat. Jacob and Cara, now in their 80s, seem ready to step back, leaving the ranch in younger hands. It’s a natural jump to 1944, where war could pull the Duttons in new directions—maybe even off the ranch and onto the battlefield. The timing lines up perfectly with history, too, since D-Day happened in June 1944, marking a huge turning point.

I can’t help but think about how this all connects. ‘1883’ showed us the Duttons starting out, ‘1923’ built their legacy, and now ‘1944’ might show how they weathered a global storm. Taylor Sheridan, the guy behind all this, has a knack for weaving real history into these stories. He’s already got other projects like ‘The Madison’ and ‘6666’ in the works, but ‘1944’ feels like the next big link in the Dutton chain.

We don’t know much yet about ‘1944’—no cast, no exact plot. But with ‘1923’ ending on such a strong note, I’m betting it’ll pick up the baton and run. The finale didn’t just close a door; it kicked open a new one. If Spencer’s still kicking around, or if we see John Dutton II step up, it’s going to be another wild ride. Either way, the Duttons aren’t done fighting for their land—or breaking our hearts.