Taylor Sheridan’s “1923,” apparently another “Yellowstone” prequel in the tradition of “1883,” boldly deviates from where you’d expect it to go.
Sure enough, the new drama, already a blockbuster for Paramount+, stars Harrison Ford and Helen Mirren as Jacob and Kara Dutton, who deal with the usual amount of family drama and various interlocutors at the family’s Montana ranch. . Given the broad references to the franchise up to this point, you can probably guess what the show will be about.
But there is one major deviation in the story of Spencer Dutton, played by Brandon Schellner. The younger son of James and Margaret Dutton (Tim McGraw and Faith Hill in “1883”), he served in World War I and, now haunted by his past, seeks to overcome his trauma by hunting big cats in Africa . This whole story gave the opening “1923” episode a completely different feel from not only the rest of “1923” but the “Yellowstone” universe up to this point.
But in the series’ most recent episode, Sunday, Spencer comes home. And it’s safe to say that things didn’t go too well.
TheWrap talked to Sklenar about how he got the gig, what it’s like working with Sheridan, and what to expect when he returns home.
What did you do to mold yourself into this character?
I’ve always had an affinity for the ’20s, in general. My great grandfather fought in World War I and I actually have postcards from him that he wrote to my great, great grandmother when he was there. I used to keep them with me all the time. That little bit of Hemingway, that little bit of my great-grandfather’s postcard, that little bit of Africa – you just take inspiration wherever you can, really, and you’re sitting there with the text as much as possible. And they’re going to find out what this guy feels like, how he moves… how are you going to arc that over eight episodes?
Can you tell me about appearing in the show? When you hear “Yellowstone” prequels, you think of Montana. But not so for your character, who spends the first few episodes in Africa. How were those initial conversations?
I mean, I’ve got the script, and it was something I’d been tracking for a while since it was announced. I was in an annoying amount of contact with my team, in terms of asking them if they were casting and what was going on and trying to get a hold of the casting director.
I was on a backpacking trip in Oregon and Washington for a month, which was cool, because I was dirty and tan and it worked. and I thought, oh that’s perfect, When the tape was due, in fact, that was the only day I was physically home for a month.
But when I read it, yes, it does say that the character’s description was somewhat to the effect that he was a World War I veteran and had PTSD and he deals with it by hunting down man-eaters in Africa. and you’re like jesus, What? where is filming, And you’re like, oh, South Africa. But it’s one of those things – and I’ve only seen it a few times in my entire career – where you read something, and it just resonates with you on a level where you feel like you owe more to it. Don’t have to figure out the meaning of these words that came out of your mouth. And there are times you’ve read stuff and you just call BS, because it doesn’t work. As you know, there is someone else who can do this. And I just felt connected to it on this level. And Taylor agreed, and it ended up the way it worked.
Was the commitment to the page helpful? Taylor Sheridan has said that he doesn’t work with actors much, so I guess the script is everything.
I would say it’s perfect because he and I can only talk to my character, but where I’m exactly what he envisioned in terms of my interpretation of the text and my vibe. My process with him was very much… He’s very far away in terms of seeing what he sees. And he goes, “Well, that’s it.” He’s counting on you to fill those shoes. And if he has a problem with how you’re filling those shoes, he’ll let you know. There’s definitely an understanding and a belief, he’s hiring you to do one thing and play this character, and he gives you the space to do that.
Spencer finally heads to the ranch. What can you stick there?
I can say it won’t be a happy homecoming, that’s for sure. I have a feeling Spencer is heating up and she has a lot to handle when she gets home. And getting there is not going to be an easy journey.
It was announced that “1923” would return for a second season. Have you started that process yet?
We haven’t started that process yet. coming soon But there isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t wake up and be grateful for this whole experience. And being a journeyman actor for a decade, going and trying to find the next job and trying to find the best job you can while trying to pay your bills, to know that You’re doing something great and that people love and they’re looking forward to – I feel really blessed to be able to do this. I can’t wait for part two.
New episodes of “1923” stream every Sunday on Paramount+.
