Even the cast of 1923 aren’t quite sure who John Dutton’s grandparents are supposed to be in Yellowstone. Kevin Costner’s central John Dutton character may have been killed off in the final episodes of the Western drama, but his presence loomed large. Still, as the Taylor Sheridan-created franchise moves forward, with the prequel 1923 season 2 premiering February 23 on Paramount+, one question regarding John Dutton’s grandparents hasn’t been definitively answered.
In an interview with ScreenRant’s Tatiana Hullender for 1923 season 2, cast members were asked whether they had discussed John Dutton’s grandparents and if they had a bit of a running bet on the subject. Michelle Randolph, who plays Elizabeth Strafford, and Darren Mann, who plays Jack Dutton, shared their thoughts in the exchange below:
Randolph: Season 1, we talked about that so much.
Mann: We talked about it so much that we eventually gave up on talking about it.
Randolph: Season 2, I don’t think we ever mentioned it. We were like, ‘I just can’t!’
Asked if they knew who John Dutton’s grandparents were, Randolph and Mann mostly agreed that they don’t know. Julia Schlaepfer, who has the role of Alexandra, says that her scene partner Brandon Sklenar (Spencer Dutton) is more confident about the subject than she is and points out that Sheridan “always has tricks up his sleeve.”
Randolph: I think we have a good idea. Maybe.
Mann: I don’t know that I have a good idea
Randolph: Actually, I have to be honest. Who knows? I just feel like if I say I do, then I’m lying. So, I don’t know!
Schlaepfer: Brandon [Sklenar] is so confident always about these things, and I’m always like, “Are you sure?” Because Taylor [Sheridan] always has tricks up his sleeve. There are many, many years between 1923 and 2025.
What John Dutton’s Grandparents Would Mean For Yellowstone
It’s An Unanswered Question
The Dutton family tree has been somewhat confusing, with even some of the actors admitting that they’re unsure of how all their characters are related. As it stands though, Sklenar’s confidence that his co-star alludes to may well be indicative of what’s to come. Sklenar’s character, Spencer, is one of James and Margaret’s children from the prequel 1883. It may be the case that he’s the one who turns out to be John Dutton’s grandfather.
Certain voiceovers and editing choices also give the impression that Spencer’s full significance in the story has not been fully divulged.
Spencer gets a lot of focus in the first installment of the Paramount+ series, arguably leading the 1923 cast alongside Harrison Ford and Helen Mirren. Certain voiceovers and editing choices also give the impression that Spencer’s full significance in the story has not been fully divulged, such as a scene that lingers on Spencer when the narration talks about a person carrying forward the Dutton name. In any case, it’s a bit of a mystery that may well shape the rest of 1923 and pave the way for more spinoffs.
Our Take On John Dutton’s Grandparents
Yellowstone May Have Tipped Its Hand
Whether or not Spencer turns out to be so closely connected to John, as has been hinted, his importance to the overall story is something to keep an eye on as 1923 season 2 debuts after a long absence. It is perhaps on the backburner on the whole, all the same since Spencer is working hard to make his way back to the people he loves.