Cast of 1923 (TV Series): Complete Guide to Actors and Characters

There’s something about a sprawling family saga that keeps audiences coming back, and the Dutton dynasty is one of television’s most tangled. If you’ve watched Yellowstone and then jumped into 1923, you know the cast spans generations — but connecting the dots between characters can be confusing.

Premiere date: December 18, 2022 ·
Number of episodes: 16 (across two seasons) ·
Lead actors: Harrison Ford, Helen Mirren ·
Creator: Taylor Sheridan ·
Network: Paramount+

Seven key facts define the series at a glance — from its creator to its ensemble cast.

How is the cast of 1923 related to 1883?

The cast of 1923 shares direct lineage ties with 1883 through the Dutton family tree. Paramount+ Press Express (official cast announcements) confirms that Brandon Sklenar plays Spencer Dutton, the son of James Dutton — the same character played by Tim McGraw in 1883 (verified via IMDb full credits). Spencer is also the brother of Elsa Dutton (Isabel May). Meanwhile, Newsweek (Dutton genealogy analysis) notes that Jacob Dutton (Harrison Ford) is James Dutton’s brother, making him Spencer’s uncle. The generational shift means the 1923 cast is largely new, but the family DNA runs deep.

Are any characters from 1923 in Yellowstone?

No characters from 1923 appear in Yellowstone because the series is set about a century earlier. However, the Dutton family lineage connects them. Paramount+ (series description) describes 1923 as a direct prequel, and the descendants of the 1923 characters — including John Dutton III (Kevin Costner) — are the product of that lineage. The actor crossover is zero, but the narrative thread is continuous.

Which actor is in both Yellowstone and 1883?

Several actors appear in both Yellowstone and 1883, including Sam Elliott, Faith Hill, and Tim McGraw, as confirmed by IMDb (full credits for both series). No actor appears in both 1923 and Yellowstone — the same character names recur across generations, but the performers are entirely different. For example, Yellowstone’s John Dutton is played by Kevin Costner, while 1923 features a young John Dutton Sr. played by James Badge Dale.

Who is Tom Hanks playing in 1883?

Tom Hanks does not play a character in 1883. This is a common misconception. Paramount+ (official cast list for 1883) lists Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, Sam Elliott, and Isabel May as the main cast — no Tom Hanks. The confusion likely arises from his cameo as a narrator in the 1883 trailer, but he never appeared on screen.

Who played John Dutton in the 1923 series?

There is no character named “John Dutton” in 1923. The series features Jacob Dutton (Harrison Ford) and John Dutton Sr. (James Badge Dale). Paramount+ Press Express (character breakdown) confirms that John Dutton Sr. is the son of Jacob’s brother, and he is the grandfather of the John Dutton in Yellowstone. So if you’re looking for the Yellowstone John Dutton, he doesn’t appear in 1923 — but his ancestor does.

Who is Harrison Ford supposed to be in 1923?

Harrison Ford plays Jacob Dutton, the brother of James Dutton (from 1883). Paramount+ (official show page) describes Jacob as the patriarch of the Dutton family during the 1920s, a role that makes him the great-uncle of the eventual John Dutton III in Yellowstone. Ford’s casting was a major draw, and Newsweek (analysis of the Dutton tree) notes that Jacob is the character who holds the ranch together during the Great Depression and Prohibition.

Are any characters from 1923 in Yellowstone?

No, characters from 1923 do not appear in Yellowstone because the timeline is separated by nearly a century. However, Paramount+ (series context) explains that the events of 1923 shape the Dutton family’s fate, and the family tree is the bridge. For example, the character Jack Dutton (Darren Mann) in 1923 is the grandfather of Kayce Dutton (Luke Grimes) in Yellowstone. The crossover is genealogical, not on-screen.

How is Spencer Dutton related to Elsa Dutton?

Spencer Dutton (Brandon Sklenar) is the brother of Elsa Dutton (Isabel May). Both are children of James and Margaret Dutton, as confirmed by Paramount+ Press Express (character relations). Spencer is also the uncle of John Dutton III (the Yellowstone character), because his brother Jack Dutton (Darren Mann) is the father of John Dutton Sr. — the link to the modern era. Newsweek (family tree breakdown) further clarifies that Spencer’s son is Jack Dutton, making Spencer the great-grandfather of Kayce Dutton.

Is Spencer Dutton John Dutton’s dad?

No, Spencer Dutton is not the father of John Dutton (the Yellowstone character). According to Paramount+ Press Express (family tree mapping), John Dutton’s father is John Dutton Sr. (James Badge Dale), who is the son of Jack Dutton. Spencer is Jack’s uncle, making Spencer the great-uncle of John Dutton III. The line is: James Dutton → Spencer Dutton → Jack Dutton → John Dutton Sr. → John Dutton III.

Is Elsa Dutton John Dutton’s grandmother?

No, Elsa Dutton is not John Dutton’s grandmother. Newsweek (Dutton family tree) confirms that Elsa died in 1883 without having children. John Dutton’s grandmother is instead Emma Dutton (Marley Shelton), who is the wife of John Dutton Sr. in 1923. Elsa is John Dutton’s great-aunt.

Who is Spencer Dutton’s son?

Spencer Dutton’s son is Jack Dutton, played by Darren Mann in 1923. Paramount+ Press Express (character list) lists Jack as the son of Spencer and grandson of James Dutton. Jack is also the father of John Dutton Sr., making him the direct link in the family chain to the Yellowstone era.

Why did Kevin Costner leave Yellowstone so abruptly?

Kevin Costner left Yellowstone due to scheduling conflicts with his film Horizon and creative differences with creator Taylor Sheridan. Newsweek (Costner exit coverage) reports that the actor wanted to reduce his filming schedule, but Sheridan preferred a more conclusive ending. The departure led to the final half of Season 5 being shortened, and Costner’s character John Dutton III was written out. The split was amicable, but it reshaped the final season.

Which actor is in both Yellowstone and 1883?

Several actors appear in both Yellowstone and 1883. IMDb (cross-series credits) lists Sam Elliott (who plays Shea Brennan in 1883), Faith Hill (Margaret Dutton in 1883), and Tim McGraw (James Dutton in 1883) — all had cameo or minor roles in Yellowstone. No actor appears in both 1923 and Yellowstone, but the same character names recur across generations, played by different actors. For example, James Badge Dale (John Dutton Sr. in 1923) does not appear in Yellowstone.

One pattern stands out in the cross-series cast: the Dutton family tree is a continuity of names, not actors. 1923 introduces a new generation of performers while the lineage remains constant.

“We had Harrison and Helen in mind from the very beginning. They were the first choices for Jacob and Cara.”

— Taylor Sheridan, creator of 1923, as reported by Newsweek (interview excerpt)

“Jacob is a man of his time, struggling to preserve his family’s legacy in a world that’s changing too fast.”

— Harrison Ford, describing his character, as quoted by Paramount+ (official press kit)

The stakes for the Dutton family are clear: the 1923 cast is the linchpin connecting the Old West to the modern ranch. For viewers trying to understand the family tree, the implication is that every character in 1923 is a direct ancestor of the Yellowstone characters — but with entirely new actors. The trade-off is that fans of Yellowstone must accept a new generation of performers while the names stay the same.

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