1923‘s Brandon Sklenar opens up about Spencer Dutton and Alex’s whirlwind romance. The western-drama centers on Jacob (Harrison Ford) and Cara Dutton (Helen Mirren) as they defend the Yellowstone ranch from thieves and wealthy businessmen seeking to exploit the vast land. Sklenar stars as Spencer, the youngest son of James (Tim McGraw) and Margaret Dutton (Faith Hill), the main characters of the prior Yellowstone prequel series, 1883.
Living in Africa as a hunter, Spencer struggles with PTSD until his fateful meeting with Alexandra “Alex” (Julia Schlaepfer), a British woman engaged to be married to someone she does not love. The two immediately fall for each other, and after nearly being killed by lions, Spencer asks Alex to marry him to which she accepts. In a recent interview with Collider, Sklenar broke down the couple’s passionate romance in 1923. The actor explained that Spencer’s feelings are “genuine,” admitting that her companionship gave him a reason to keep living instead of simply surviving.
I think it’s all genuine, from the jump, She affects him in such a way, in the bar when they first meet and then, especially, the second meeting. She just resonates with him in his heart, in his soul, in a way that he’s never felt before, and she’s tapping into a part of him that’s been dead for years. So it’s very genuine, but there’s also a part of it …
He’s just doing whatever he can to survive most of the time, while also not caring if he died. A lot of their initial bonding in terms of his commitment to be like, “I’ll marry you right now,” some of that’s coming from a place of needing her to feel like he’s alive again because she does … There’s a bit of selfishness in there in that regard, but then it’s pure, and it’s genuine and then that evolves into something deeply profound. Initially, she’s given him something to live for that he hasn’t felt.
What’s Next For Spencer and Alex
Following Spencer and Alex’s close call with a pride of lions in 1923 season 1 part 1, the two abscond to a remote getaway on an island in Zanzibar. Seemingly in paradise, the pair attempt to live peacefully in solitude. After opening up emotionally, allowing Alex to read years worth of letters from his aunt Cara, Spencer learns that three months prior, his brother John Dutton (James Badge Dale) was murdered by thieves with his uncle Jacob severely injured, leaving the ranch threatened by a gathering army of desperate farmers and thieves.
Although Spencer initially had no immediate desire to return home, the death of his brother and plea from his aunt is more than enough to compel him travel back to the Yellowstone. A 1923 mid-season trailer teased Spencer and Alex’s arduous attempt to return to the United States as intercontinental travel 100 years ago was no easy feat. The remaining episodes of the season will likely focus on the couple’s journey to Montana while Cara, Jack Dutton (Darren Mann), Zane Davis (Brian Geraghty), and their ranch hands fight off those who wish to take the Yellowstone for themselves.
With four more episodes to go in 1923 season 1, pressure will rise for Spencer to make it back to Montana before the ranch is overrun. Cara has already proved herself to be a fierce and capable leader, and with Jacob bedridden due to his injuries in episode 3’s ambush by Scottish sheep herder Banner Creighton (Jerome Flynn), Cara steps up, representing Jacob at the weekly meeting of cattle ranch owners while Jack must grow up fast to protect his fiancée Elizabeth Strafford (Michelle Randolph). With the second half of 1923 season 1 returning in February, audiences do not have to wait much longer to see if Spencer and Alex will make it back home in time.
