After an excruciating two-year wait, 1923 is finally back to continue the saga of Jack and Elizabeth Dutton.
And according to stars Darren Mann and Michelle Randolph, it’s going to be worth every second of anticipation.
“I was so curious throughout the whole two years in between seasons,” Randolph admitted, sharing the same impatience as the audience.
“I think they’re going to be happy. There’s not one episode that you’re going to be bored in.”
If 1923 Season 1 laid the foundation of the young couple’s love story — starting with a fairy-tale romance before tragedy reshaped their world — Season 2 will test them in ways neither could have imagined.
As Mann put it, their loss in the finale “brought us together. I don’t want to say the good part of tragedy, but you know how sometimes really hard moments can bring us closer?”
Randolph agreed, saying their shared grief deepens their connection. “No one else in the world understands what they’ve been through except for each other.
“I think it’s a beautiful love story that went from a fairy tale to a very real relationship — with real challenges and triumphs.”
Love Over Land — The Heart of 1923
At its core, 1923 is more than just a battle for land — it’s a story about love, legacy, and the unbreakable bonds between people trying to survive.
Mann embraced that idea, reflecting on what makes the Duttons’ struggle resonate so deeply.
“All of us have an equal interest in wanting to protect that land and have it continue to go forward in the family,” he explained. “It means everything to us. If one of us loses, we all lose. We’re all in the fight together.”
Randolph echoed the sentiment, noting that Taylor Sheridan’s writing always brings relationships to the forefront. “That’s my favorite thing about Taylor’s writing — it’s about the relationships and, like you said, love, because that’s something everyone can relate to.”
Spencer’s Return and Jack’s Fight for Respect
One of the biggest tensions heading into 1923 Season 2 is the dynamic between Jack and Spencer, the long-lost Dutton brother whose return is expected to change everything. But not everyone is eager to put their faith in him.
“Jack’s a man of action, and he’s sick of waiting around, being told to do nothing,” Mann said, summing up his character’s frustration.
“He’s like a neutered dog. But at the same time, I’m sure over a couple of stiff whiskeys in 1923, I’m going to have some questions about where [Spencer] has been while I’ve been running this place for the last four years without him.”
That sense of proving oneself has been a defining part of Jack’s arc, with others — particularly Cara — placing an almost mythical expectation on Spencer’s return.
Mann, however, thinks Jack has already earned his place. “She does, doesn’t she?” he joked about Cara’s unwavering faith in Spencer. “I notice that as well. Darren loves this perfectly good cowboy right here. Let’s take this ranch over!”
But even amid the land battles and family struggles, it’s the quieter moments that truly define 1923. One of the most moving aspects of Season 1 was Jack’s unwavering support for Elizabeth after her devastating loss.
His reminder that Cara was still a mother figure despite never having children of her own was a defining moment for Elizabeth’s growth.
“That really resonates with Elizabeth because she looks up to Cara,” Randolph reflected. “It gives her a new perspective — that she doesn’t necessarily have to be a mother, or that might not be her destiny.”
From 1923 to Landman — Michelle Randolph’s Expanding Sheridan Universe
Billy Bob ThorntonRandolph’s connection to the Taylor Sheridan universe doesn’t stop with 1923 — she’s also stepping into the modern world with Landman, playing Ainsley opposite Billy Bob Thornton.
Interestingly, her two characters exist in starkly different time periods but share a common thread: both are young women discovering their strengths.
“I think Elizabeth would absolutely give Ainsley some perspective,” Randolph mused.
“But they’re such different people. They grew up with different role models. At the end of the day, they’re both young women coming into their own and learning their place in the world.”
As for what’s ahead in 1923?
The cast is keeping the biggest secrets under wraps, but one thing’s for sure: Jack and Elizabeth’s journey is far from over.
“It’s going to be a ride,” Randolph teased. “And I can’t wait for people to see it.”
Don’t miss 1923’s return on Sunday, February 23, only on Paramount+. Then, return to TV Fanatic for a review of the premiere on Sunday at 3 p.m. ET!
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