After the conclusion of the Yellowstone prequel 1923, fans were left wondering if they had seen the last of Harrison Ford’s character, Jacob Dutton. Contrary to what many expected, Jacob Dutton did not die in the series finale. Now, Ford himself has addressed the possibility of putting on his cowboy hat once more, and he’s leaving the door wide open.
The Surprising Fate of Jacob Dutton
The second season of 1923 wrapped up in April 2025, bringing the stories of the Dutton family to a close. While the finale was filled with high stakes and dramatic endings for some characters, Jacob Dutton and his wife Cara, played by Helen Mirren, were not among the casualties.
Instead, Jacob’s journey concluded with him passing his ranch duties to his nephew, Spencer Dutton. This allowed Jacob and Cara to step back from the front lines, settling down to a more peaceful life. The couple also found themselves caring for Spencer’s newborn son, John, after the tragic death of his mother, Alexandra. Helen Mirren joked that she was convinced her character would die, expressing surprise that Cara was still alive at the end.
Ford praised the series finale, calling it “very tight storytelling” and stating he was “absolutely delighted with it.”
Harrison Ford’s Willingness to Return
The question on every fan’s mind is whether Harrison Ford will ever return to the Yellowstone universe. During a recent For Your Consideration (FYC) event in Los Angeles, the actor gave a hopeful answer.
When asked about the potential for Jacob Dutton to appear in a future series like the upcoming 1944, Ford joked, “I’m still alive.” He pointed out that since his character survived the events of 1923, a return is certainly possible from a storytelling perspective.
He confirmed that under the right circumstances, he would be willing to reprise the role. “If asked nicely,” Ford said, it is something he would consider. He was quick to clarify that these were just his own thoughts and that series creator Taylor Sheridan has not presented him with any concrete plans for a return. Ford admitted, “I have no idea what his plans are.”
How Jacob Dutton Could Come Back
While Ford is open to returning, the logistics of bringing Jacob Dutton back require some creative storytelling. The next known chapter in the franchise is 1944, which is set two decades after the events of 1923. Given the timeline, Jacob Dutton would be nearly 100 years old during that period.
This doesn’t make an appearance impossible, but it does present clear narrative challenges. The most likely way for Ford to return would be through flashback sequences. Taylor Sheridan frequently uses this device to explore different time periods and character histories across his Yellowstone series. A return in this form would allow audiences to see more of Jacob’s life without being constrained by the 1944 timeline.
Ford has expressed a strong connection to the complex role, describing Jacob as “not a hero” but a “complicated man who does some bad s* and then goes on with his life.”** He found this complexity to be a compelling and interesting type of character to play.
The Legacy of 1923
1923 served as a prequel to the hit series Yellowstone and a sequel to 1883. It followed the Dutton family during the early 20th century, a time of historic drought, the end of Prohibition, and the early stages of the Great Depression. The series was noted for its high production value, with estimates placing the budget at around $22 million per episode.
Ford previously shared that he took the role based on his trust in Taylor Sheridan’s vision, not even requiring a script before signing on. He described Sheridan as “one of the most extraordinary talents of our current time.”
The series finale effectively set the stage for the future of the Yellowstone ranch, with the newborn John Dutton—the child that Jacob and Cara are left to raise—destined to become the grandfather of Kevin Costner’s character, John Dutton III, in the original Yellowstone series.
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