Dutton Family Tree After ‘1923’ Explored as New Generation Emerges in Series Finale
Yellowstone fans have been wondering about the Dutton family tree ever since the prequel 1883 started airing and 1923 gave viewers a further insight
The Yellowstone prequel, 1923, concluded on a dramatic note with Alex, portrayed by Julia Schlaepfer, giving birth to a son three months prematurely. The stress of her journey had caused her body to go into early labour, and it was feared the baby wouldn’t survive.
However, defying medical expectations, the baby cried out, showing Alex’s determination for her son to live, even if it meant she wouldn’t. Since the first Yellowstone prequel, 1883, began airing, fans have been intrigued about the Dutton family tree.
Alex and Spencer Dutton were reunited (Image: PARAMOUNT)
It was hoped that 1923 would provide insight into some of John Dutton’s more recent ancestors, including his grandfather. It became clear that this ancestor would be a direct relative of either Spencer Dutton, played by Brandon Sklenar, and Alex, or Jack Dutton, portrayed by Darren Mann, and Elizabeth, played by Michelle Randolph.
Alex revealed to Jacob, played by Harrison Ford, that she planned to name her baby John, after Spencer’s brother, seemingly confirming that the baby would grow up to be a direct relative of Kevin Costner’s character.
While Spencer did have another son with a widow, there is no further mention of this second child, suggesting he plays a less significant role in the Yellowstone timeline.
Spencer and Alex had a son called John (Image: PARAMOUNT)
Similarly, there was no reference to Elizabeth’s baby after she left the ranch, indicating this child also has less importance in the Dutton timeline.
Julia Schlaepfer, who plays Alex, stated that although she wasn’t completely certain, she believed her character was John Dutton’s grandmother.
Speaking to The Wrap, the actress stated: “We don’t fully know until Taylor Sheridan writes the next 50 instalments. But I think we both would love to hope that baby John is [Kevin Costner’s father].
“Would I love to be the grandmother of John Dutton? Absolutely. And in my brain do I feel I am? Yes. We seem like maybe we’re being coy but we genuinely don’t know. They don’t tell us.
Dabney Coleman as John Dutton’s father (Image: PARAMOUNT)
“We just get the scripts and then we make of it what we make of it.”
Yellowstone aficionados have come to terms with minor inconsistencies in the Dutton family tree due to the ever-expanding universe of the show.
In his critique, Billy Dukes from Taste of Country accepted such flaws as part of storytelling liberties, nonetheless, he mentioned that for Spencer Dutton to connect directly to Kevin Costner’s patriarch, an additional generational link would be necessary, referring to the gap between Spencer and Dabney Coleman’s character.
Amidst this, swirls of gossip hint at a potential new prequel titled ‘1944’ which might introduce the elusive generation gap, however, specifics have not been confirmed.
1923 airs on Paramount Plus
