Brandon Sklenar, known for his role as Spencer Dutton in the acclaimed series 1923, recently shared his eagerness to reprise his character in an upcoming spinoff of the Yellowstone franchise. With the dramatic conclusion of 1923‘s second season, fans were left with a bittersweet ending for Spencer’s romance with Alexandra. However, the narrative provided a glimmer of hope through the introduction of their child, John Dutton II, establishing a family connection to Kevin Costner’s character in Yellowstone.
While 1923 may have wrapped up its storyline, the Yellowstone universe is far from over. Sklenar has expressed a strong interest in reuniting with the role of Spencer in one of the anticipated spinoffs, particularly hinting at 1944 as a fitting opportunity to further explore his character’s journey, as noted in an interview with Variety:
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. I love this character. … 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.
The Future of the Yellowstone Franchise
The Dutton Saga Progresses with 1944
The series finale of 1923 offers a glimpse into the potential narrative direction for 1944. In this concluding episode, viewers learn that Spencer raises John Dutton II alone, remaining unmarried while forming a bond with a widow, eventually fathering another son. Ultimately, Spencer’s life comes full circle, culminating in his death at Alexandra’s graveside.
While it may be melancholy to envision Spencer living without Alexandra, both Sklenar and his co-star Julia Schlaepfer have creatively brainstormed ways to incorporate her character’s spirit into 1944. Their playful discussion with ScreenRant reveals plans to portray Alexandra as a benevolent ghost, affectionately haunting 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.
Our Perspective on Spencer’s Possible Return in 1944
The Challenges of Anticipating Sheridan’s Vision
Transitioning the narrative to 1944 signifies a significant leap in time, adding approximately 20 years to Spencer’s age, placing him in his fifties—an age range that Sklenar can comfortably portray with minimal makeup enhancement. By this time, Spencer’s son John would be around 20, perfectly positioned to engage in the conflicts of World War II.
While Spencer may seem a bit past his prime for military service, there will undoubtedly be numerous challenges awaiting him at home. Anticipating the emergence of formidable adversaries akin to 1923’s Whitfield, Spencer’s resolve to defend his family’s heritage will be tested.
Given Sklenar’s enthusiasm for returning, it seems likely that Spencer will feature prominently in 1944. Whether he will experience a spectral reunion with Alexandra remains an intriguing question that could add a unique layer to the series, especially in light of their heart-wrenching separation in 1923.
However, predicting creator Taylor Sheridan‘s next moves is often a gamble, as he is known for surprising audiences. His unexpected decision to set a significant portion of 1923 in Africa and delaying Spencer’s arrival in Montana until season 2 demonstrates his penchant for creative storytelling. It would not be out of the realm of possibility for Sheridan to employ similar narrative strategies in 1944, potentially taking the story far beyond the Dutton ranch and crafting an entirely new epic for viewers.
Source: Variety