1923 Actors’ Alex Dutton Comeback Idea Could Actually Work In Taylor Sheridan’s Next Yellowstone Prequel

Warning! SPOILERS For 1923 Season 2, Episode 7, “A Dream And A Memory”

Brandon Sklenar and Julia Schlaepfer teased Alex Dutton’s comeback in 1923 – and it could genuinely work. In 1923 season 2’s finale, Alex Dutton meets her fate; Spencer’s wife dies of complications from hypothermia, caused by getting frostbite after being stranded on the side of the road in episode 6. Despite her husband serendipitously passing on the train and rescuing her from her harrowing predicament, the medical treatment she received wasn’t enough to save Alex’s life, and she opted to stay and comfort her baby rather than undergo amputation of her hand and legs.

Alex’s death adds to the list of shocking Dutton family deaths, and hers is one of the saddest. Alex’s ending in 1923 pretty much effectively rules out more of Spencer and Alex’s romance, which was a highlight of 1923 season 1. Taylor Sheridan has teased a continuation of Yellowstone titled 1944, which would presumably pick up amid World War II. Spencer Dutton will most likely helm the prequel, though it’s unclear if Sklenar will be considered to reprise the role. It’s more likely that Schlaepfer joins the show, and Brandon Sklenar knows just how to include Alex in 1944.

Brandon Sklenar & Julia Schlaepfer’s Alex Dutton Comeback Idea Is Crazy – But It Could Actually Work

Alex Could Come Back To Haunt Spencer In 1944

The prospect of including Alex in Sheridan’s next Yellowstone prequel might seem far-fetched after her 1923 season 2 fate, but the idea could actually work, especially as Sklenar pitched it. In an interview with ScreenRant, talking about the future of the franchise, Sklenar and Schlaepfer revealed their idea for Alex to come back as a ghost in 1944. Sklenar revealed they wanted Alex to come back and haunt Spencer. He envisioned Alexandra interacting with Spencer in “the most beautiful way,” rather than in a spooky manner. Schlaepfer was mostly on board, noting Alex would have a few pranks for Spencer:

Brandon Sklenar: Right now, I’m just trying to lobby for Jules [Julia Schlaepfer] to be a ghost.

Julia Schlaepfer: Yeah, that’s our goal right now.

Sklenar: She can haunt Spencer in the most beautiful way. Not like a spooky, scary kind of way, but in a kind of fun way.

Schlaepfer: She’ll play a lot of pranks.

Sklenar: Yeah, a lot of pranks. A lot of whisper banter. But, yeah, I’d do it. I’d do it, for sure. If there was a 1944 [series], Spencer’s definitely alive. He’d be in his fifties, so I could just spend the next four months outside, and that’d probably help.

While it may seem idealistic to bring Alex back, Sheridan has incorporated beloved Yellowstone characters after their deaths. For instance, Spencer’s sister returns to narrate 1923 after Elsa Dutton died in 1883. The screenwriter could similarly bring Alex back, emulating Elsa’s omniscient presence. Furthermore, Spencer’s wife returns in Spencer and Alex’s Titanic-style ending, proving that Alex is not confined to her 1923 timeline in the Yellowstone universe. It would be wise to bring Alex back since, similarly to Elsa, Spencer’s wife endeared herself to fans, and they didn’t want to see her story end.

Brandon Sklenar & Julia Schlaepfer Should Return In Taylor Sheridan’s 1944

Spencer And Alex’s Actors Should Return To Their Roles

It wasn’t just Alex and Spencer’s stories that audiences loved. Schlaepfer and Sklenar’s performances as the star-crossed lovers were a standout for the franchise, so it makes sense to work the actors into the next prequel. Sklenar could get by playing Spencer in his 50s, changing some of his physical characteristics to appear a bit older. Sheridan likely has an older actor in mind for Spencer 20 years later, but Sklenar’s comments confirm he’s open to continuing the part. Sklenar could also appear in flashbacks, explaining how things evolved as Spencer took ownership of the Yellowstone Dutton Ranch.

Related

1923’s Finale Time Jump Explained: How Long Spencer Dutton Lives

1923 season 2’s epic finale revealed the fate of Spencer Dutton and how long he ran the Yellowstone with a surprising time jump into another decade.

If 1944 opts to include Schlaepfer as Alexandra in some way, the story could preempt Alex and Spencer’s 1923 epilogue, setting up their ethereal connection. Alex died young, at age 23, and including her in 1944 could lean into her timelessness. The supernatural element, introducing Alex as a ghost or spirit, or memory, could even be a factor in Spencer successfully running the ranch through the Great Depression, leaning on his late wife’s memory for strength. While Alex and Spencer can’t star in their own Yellowstone spinoff now, at least Alex has the possibility of transcending her awful 1923 fate.

1923

9/10

Release Date

2022 – 2025-00-00

Network

Paramount+

Showrunner

Taylor Sheridan

Directors

Guy Ferland

Writers

Taylor Sheridan