Yellowstone: 1923 season 2 – Release date, cast and latest news

The long-awaited second season will pick back up after the dramatic season 1 finale, with the new episodes set to follow the Dutton family as they brace against a harsh winter, as well as navigating the aftermath of some of the finale's most emotional deaths.

Almost perfectly timed, the second season of 1923 comes as Yellowstone season 5 has come to a close, with the future of the franchise left up in the air.

While fans don't yet know if Yellowstone season 6 will be going ahead, there are plenty of other franchise updates to keep fans excited, including a new spin-off led by Kelly Reilly (Beth Dutton) and Cole Hauser (Rip Wheeler) being in the works.

There's also the news that a sequel Yellowstone series led by Matthew McConaughey is in talks, with McConaughey set to star along with several original Yellowstone cast members.

But as for 1923, this second season is set to be its last, with Helen Mirren and Harrison Ford returning to helm the Taylor Sheridan drama.

Following an earlier generation of Duttons, 1923 serves as both a prequel to the Yellowstone main series and a sequel to the previous Yellowstone spin-off 1883.

But when exactly is 1923 season 2 airing? Read on for everything you need to know about when and where the second season will premiere.

1923 season 2 release date

The release date for 1923 season 2 has now been confirmed, and it will begin airing on Paramount Plus on Sunday 23rd February 2025.

The series is expected to be released weekly, every Sunday, on the streaming platform.

The Yellowstone spin-off was renewed back in early 2023 but faced delays due to the Hollywood strikes later that year.

While fans will be excited for season 2, it's worth noting that it's set to be the show's last. Actor Brandon Sklenar had previously told The Hollywood Reporter that 1923 would not be part of the Yellowstone franchise's future in the long-term.

"No, no, it's bookend," he said, when quizzed on the possibility of season 3. "It's still limited, but I think of it as one piece — there’s just a split in the middle, but it’s all one piece. It will conclude."

The show has broken records since premiering, becoming one of the most-watched series premieres on cable in the US in 2022, as well as debuting to a slew of positive reactions.

1923 season 2 cast: Who will be returning?

1923 has most certainly taken us on a roller coaster with the characters in this prequel series. Not only has there been family drama in droves, there have also been surprise deaths aplenty.

So, it's safe to say that the initial 1923 cast may not make it into season 2, seeing as the season 1 finale sure threw up some unexpected curveballs.

There have also been some exciting cast additions that have been announced for season 2, including Dexter's Jennifer Carpenter as Mamie Fossett, who has been described as "a highly capable US deputy marshall who serves warrants and makes arrests with confidence ahead of her time".

Janet Montgomery has also been cast as Hillary, "a thoughtful woman who does not want to see injustice go unpunished".

Andy Dispensa will also join the cast in a recurring role as Luca, who has been described as "a young man working in the engine room of a merchant ship".

While Paramount Plus has not yet officially released any details on the cast, it's safe to assume that many of the key players will likely return to season 2.

The main cast for 1923 is as follows:

• Helen Mirren as Cara Dutton
• Harrison Ford as Jacob Dutton
• Sebastian Roché as Father Renaud
• Darren Mann as Jack Dutton
• Michelle Randolph as Elizabeth Strafford
• Aminah Nieves as Teonna Rainwater
• Brandon Sklenar as Spencer Dutton
• Robert Patrick as Sheriff William McDowell
• Jerome Flynn as Banner Creighton
• Timothy Dalton as Donald Whitfield
• Jennifer Carpenter as Mamie Fossett
• Janet Montgomery as Hillary
• Andy Dispensa as Luca

Ford confirmed he’ll definitely be back for the upcoming instalment, telling the Today show back in February: "The idea of not working doesn't make much sense to me. It's really where I feel most alive."

Mirren likewise told Deadline that the news of a second season was "very happy news as far as I was concerned".

She continued: "I’m fascinated to see where Cara is going to go. Taylor did say she is very much of her era, she’s looking after the house. That is what her job is. But then he said, 'Wait, things are going to happen.' So we’ll see."

As for the cast members we know that definitely won't be returning, those will be the mass of characters who have died...

Those include Catherine Walsh (Alexandra Grossi), Kagiso (Raymond Watanga), Bob Strafford (Tim DeKay), John Dutton Sr (James Badge Dale), Sister Mary (Jennifer Ehle), Sister Alice (Kerry O'Malley), Baapuxti (Leenah Robinson), Emma Dutton (Marley Shelton), Captain Lucca (Peter Stormare) and Issaxche (Amelia Rico).

1923 season 2 plot: What could happen?

The second season of 1923 will continue the Dutton family saga, with more threats than ever threatening the family's legacy.

According to the official synopsis: "A cruel winter brings new challenges and unfinished business to Jacob and Cara back at Dutton ranch. With harsh conditions and adversaries threatening to end the Dutton legacy, Spencer embarks on an arduous journey home, racing against time to save his family in Montana.

"Meanwhile, Alexandra sets off on her own harrowing transatlantic journey to find Spencer and reclaim their love."

Season 1 focused on exploring this new generation of the Dutton family in the 20th century as pandemics, the drought, the end of Prohibition and the Great Depression all plagued the mountain west, and the Duttons who lived there.

Speaking about season 2 and there being a potential baby on the way for Spencer and Alex, Brandon Skenlar told TVLine that he thinks his character would be hopeful.

He revealed: "I think that he would. It would motivate him, you know? He’s really on a path of wanting to have a life with her and have her at the ranch, and he definitely has to have children one day — because he has purpose, and he has something to live for, and he’s just really hooked into that purpose, you know?

"So, anything that would further fuel that, I think he’d be fully accepting and embracing of it."

After the season 1 finale aired, Skenlar spoke a bit about season 2 and what the tone of it will be. He told The Hollywood Reporter: "All I know about part two is that I’m certain there’s going to be a shift in the tone, just for Spencer and the show itself.

"The stakes all around have been raised to a new level, and the pain and the guilt that he’s carrying into this next part is going to shape him into a version of himself that we haven’t seen yet.

"If I can speculate as the character, I could see it going there. And then, hopefully, he carries that home and is able to realise his purpose in terms of fighting for his family and saving the ranch."

On whether the show will get darker in season 2, he continued: "I would say there’s a weight to it, but I don’t necessarily want to say darker. There’s a weight that I think the audience may feel in part two that wasn’t felt as much in part one, just based on the circumstances and where the story was.

"Taylor has just raised the stakes so high at the end, and they’re as high as they can be at that point."

Is there a trailer for 1923 season 2?

Yes! The trailer for 1923 season 2 has just been released and teases some of the action to come.

Watch it for yourself below.

A teaser trailer for 1923 season 2 was also unveiled during the finale of Yellowstone last December, which gave us a glimpse at some of the simmering land-related problems that are set to unfold in the family.

You can watch it below.

1923 season 2 will premiere on Paramount Plus on Sunday 23rd February 2025, with Yellowstone seasons 1-5 also available to stream on Paramount Plus – you can sign up for Paramount Plus now.

Check out more of our Drama coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.