Now she’s stepping into a new world — Taylor Sheridan’s 1923.
As she joins the epic Yellowstone prequel, Carpenter embraces a different kind of role that taps into the grit, danger, and moral complexities of the Wild West.
A Dream Come True
For Carpenter, joining 1923 feels like fulfilling a lifelong dream. “There’s a part of me that wants to grab my eight-year-old self and be like, ‘You were right. I told you so!’” she said. “I feel like my dreams have sort of come true.”
While her character in Dexter was embedded in modern crime and justice, 1923 takes her back to a time when law enforcement was an entirely different beast. And for Carpenter, the heart of the show lies in its storytelling.
“I think that’s where I was first sort of taken captive by this vocation,” she explained. “I just so appreciate someone who’s curious about the world and human behavior… and Taylor just does such a very nice job of weaving a story that you can see yourself in.”
That storytelling and the warm reception from the cast and crew made 1923 a uniquely fulfilling experience.
“Our makeup artist on the first day described the crew and the cast and the whole collective as a family, and I said, ‘Well, I’m up for adoption.’ And I did feel like they took me in.”
Meet Mamie Fawcett
Carpenter steps into the role of Mamie Fawcett, a woman whose legacy is as fierce as it is trailblazing.
“There were only about ten sentences written about Mamie Fawcett,” Carpenter revealed. “She had intended to homestead in the area and became one of the first female U.S. Marshals — not to do clerical work behind a desk, but to go and work the territory.”
That territory was treacherous. According to Carpenter, “More people died as U.S. Marshals than any other vocation at the time.”
Mamie’s choice to take on such a perilous career speaks volumes about her character. “It was really exciting to build a body around her and figure out… what would have happened in her life that gave her the code and the moral compass that she had.”
Finding Her Place in the World of 1923
To bring Mamie to life, Carpenter leaned into the experience — absorbing everything from the Texas wind to the rhythm of her horse.
“I tried to collect as much information as I could and then show up and really listen,” she said.
“Whether it was just feeling the Texas wind when it would gratefully, thankfully show up, or feeling my horse breathe beneath my legs, and just watching what these powerhouses were doing… and trying to have an honest response.”
While 1923 already boasts a cast of formidable characters, Mamie Fawcett is set to carve her own path as a fearless woman in an era where survival was never guaranteed.
“She was fiercely independent, private, and regulated,” Carpenter explained. “Those things kept me contained, and they also made me want not to introduce the character through my ideas but let the audience just experience her and make their own conclusions.”
As 1923 continues to expand the Yellowstone universe, Jennifer Carpenter’s arrival promises to add yet another compelling layer to its rich storytelling. And if her passion for the role is any indication, Mamie Fawcett will be one to watch.
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!