Darren Mann reveals what his final day on the 1923 set was like, following the death of his character, Jack Dutton. In the penultimate episode of 1923 season 2, the Yellowstone prequel took a brutal turn as multiple characters met tragic ends. Among them was Jack, the firstborn son of John and Emma Dutton and great-nephew to Jacob Dutton (Harrison Ford), who was gunned down in a shocking ambush by Banner Creighton’s men. Jack leaves behind his fiancé, Elizabeth Stratford (Michelle Randolph), who is currently pregnant at the end of 1923 season 2, episode 6, as the Dutton family prepares for an all-out war in the upcoming finale.
In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Mann shared what his final moments on set with Ford were like. In the 1923 actor’s final episode, Jack defies Jacob’s orders to remain at the ranch, choosing instead to ride out alone to help defend Spencer Dutton’s (Brandon Sklenar) arrival at the nearby train station. On the way, he’s intercepted by Clyde (Brian Konowal) and Alec (Colt Brown), who lure him out of the woods and shoot him dead. Read what he had to say below:
For the death scene, I was feeling pretty anxious that day. I’m not typically one to talk with the director much. I just kind of do my own thing and when he needs to speak to me, he’ll find me. He’s got a lot to do. But that day, I can remember really needing to confide in Ben [Richardson] and be like, “How are we doing? Is there anything [you need more of from me]?” I wanted to make sure I did justice to Jack’s last scene, so I think I was feeling a little self-conscious.
The crew is always so great. They’re so loving. It’s a giant family. So there was a big “Awwww” at the end and definitely a lot of hugs around set. I loved working with all of them so much. I think we all were a little sad and mourning what just happened in the story that day.
But my last scene was actually with Harrison [Ford], which was so cool. I had a last day that was pretty much just him and me riding horses and moving through the snow, packing out pack horses and moving elk and riding away. It was just little clips. It felt like the most perfect button to this amazing adventure, getting to hang out with this man that I idolized forever that I’ve now become friends with and who I truly love getting to spend time with.
Just having those final moments with him and getting to give him a big hug when I was done. I’ll never forget working on this show and getting to become friends with Harrison and Helen [Mirren], and how cool that has been and how awesome both of them are.
When asked if Ford offered any final words when they parted, Mann recounted a brief but powerful exchange:
He said, “Let’s find another one, kid.” And I said, “Damn straight. I would love that. I’d be there in a second.”
What Mann’s Final Scene With Ford In 1923 Means
Jack Has A Final Ride With Jacob As The Dutton Line Is Threatened
Since 1923’s premiere in 2022, Mann has starred alongside Ford, playing Jack Dutton in a sweeping multigenerational tale of duty, sacrifice, and survival. Though Mann has worked with A-listers before, including Morgan Freeman in The Minute You Wake Up Dead, his relationship with Ford evolved from co-stars to something closer to real-life mentorship. Their final moments filming together—quiet, reflective, and horse-bound—mirrored the exact kind of storytelling that creator Taylor Sheridan excels at: intimate character work set against epic historical stakes.
Jack’s untimely death further complicates the Dutton family tree. Spencer is closer to returning to the ranch than ever before, but his pregnant wife, Alex (Julie Schlaepfer), is still stranded in a frozen wasteland somewhere between Wyoming and Montana. With Jack gone and the family’s fighters scattered, the Dutton legacy now hinges on two unborn children—Elizabeth’s and Alex’s. Both pregnancies offer a potential path forward for the family line, but as war with Banner Creighton and Donald Whitfield looms, the Duttons’ future will not be ensured without further bloodshed and loss.
Our Take On Jack’s Last Ride In 1923
A Fitting End To The Young Dutton’s Journey
Mann’s final scene with Ford serves as a quiet but powerful conclusion to Jack Dutton’s journey, reinforcing the generational weight that has defined 1923 from the start. His death arrives at a pivotal moment, with the Dutton family fractured and war on the horizon. Elizabeth now faces motherhood alone after a brutal winter, while Alexandra’s survival remains uncertain. Jack’s loss doesn’t just thin the ranks but amplifies the urgency of the Dutton legacy. In true Sheridan fashion, everything can shift in an instant, setting the stage for a high-stakes, two-hour season finale for 1923.