With only one episode left in Season 2 of 1923, the Yellowstone prequel has fans on edge. As multiple storylines remain unresolved, the burning question on everyone’s mind is: Can the creators wrap it all up in the final episode—or is another season on the horizon?
Let’s break down where things stand for each character as the finale nears, and what that might mean for the future of the show.
Tensions Mount as Characters Face Uncertain Fates
Episode 6 of Season 2 closed with cliffhangers galore, making it clear that several major plot threads remain wide open.
Spencer Dutton (Brandon Sklenar) is still far from home. Aboard a train, he’s desperately trying to make it back to Montana to protect his family's ranch, which is now under siege. Ruthless land developer Donald Whitfield (Timothy Dalton) is pushing forward with his plans, and with Spencer out of reach, the Duttons are more vulnerable than ever.
Meanwhile, Alexandra (Julia Schlaepfer) finds herself in an equally dire situation. Stranded in a snowstorm after her rescuers died trying to help her, she sits alone in a car surrounded by death and ice, with no help in sight. Her survival hangs by a thread.
Back at the Yellowstone ranch, Jacob Dutton (Harrison Ford) is rallying his men for a violent showdown with Whitfield’s forces. His wife, Cara (Helen Mirren), remains behind, bracing for what feels like an inevitable bloodbath. Alongside her, Elizabeth (Michelle Randolph) and others prepare for the worst as they hold down the fort in Jacob’s absence.
On a separate yet equally harrowing path, Teonna (Aminah Nieves) has overcome unthinkable odds. After a long, painful journey of escape and retaliation, she has managed to eliminate her pursuers. But the cost has been devastating: both her father and her lover are dead, and she is left utterly alone.
Perhaps the most heartbreaking development is Jack Dutton’s (Darren Mann) fate. Shot dead by men loyal to Whitfield, his death remains unknown to his wife and family—who may still be hoping for his return.
Given the sheer number of unresolved arcs, the idea of tying everything up in a single episode seems wildly ambitious. This naturally leads to speculation: Could a third season be in the works?
Finale Promises a Cinematic Experience—But Is It Enough?
Paramount+ previously revealed that Season 2 would consist of just seven episodes. However, fans were reassured that the finale would be anything but ordinary. Scheduled to run a full two hours, the final episode is being treated more like a feature film than a traditional TV send-off.
While this extended runtime offers more space for resolution, many viewers are skeptical that even a movie-length episode can do justice to the complexity of the remaining storylines. It’s a tall order—one that might hint at the need for more episodes down the line.
Why Ratings Could Drive the Decision for Season 3
Beyond narrative concerns, there’s a financial and strategic case to be made for continuing the series. From the moment 1923 premiered in 2022, it was clear the show was a hit. But Season 2 took things to an entirely new level.
The premiere of Season 2 alone attracted a staggering 17 million views worldwide, marking a 41% jump from the debut of Season 1. Across the board, Season 2’s streaming numbers are tracking 56% higher than the first season.
Even on social media, the buzz has been explosive. With 77 million social views, the show’s online presence has ballooned to 11 times larger than its first season.
These numbers are hard for any network to ignore. Paramount+ would clearly benefit from extending the life of the series, and Sheridan might be asked—or encouraged—to craft a continuation, even if the original arc was meant to be finite.
What Has Paramount+ Said About a Possible Season 3?
As of now, Paramount+ hasn’t officially commented on whether fans can expect another installment after Season 2 wraps. However, many speculate that the answer may be revealed at the end of the finale itself.
Given the growing interest and momentum, an announcement during or immediately following the finale wouldn't come as a surprise.
What the Cast Is Saying About the Show’s Future
Despite all the fan theories and speculation, the cast has largely remained tight-lipped about a third season—especially the heavyweights like Harrison Ford and Helen Mirren.
However, Brandon Sklenar, who portrays Spencer Dutton, may have let the cat out of the bag. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter in May 2023, he addressed the future of the series quite directly.
“No, no, it’s bookend,” Sklenar stated. “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.”
His words suggest that 1923 was always meant to be a two-part story, with no intentions of expanding beyond that. However, television history is filled with shows that went beyond their originally planned arcs due to audience demand and network pressure.
What Can We Expect in the Finale?
Although the final episode hasn’t aired yet, Sklenar teased that it will be something extraordinary.
“It’s probably one of the best things I’ve read in my life,” he said in an interview with Forbes. He also shared that Taylor Sheridan had laid out Spencer’s full arc from the beginning, and that the finale would bring his journey to its intended conclusion.
Knowing how Sheridan operates, it’s safe to assume that the finale will be dramatic, emotionally charged, and deeply consequential. Whether it offers full closure remains to be seen.
Final Thoughts: Will There Be More ‘1923’?
The answer? It’s complicated. Creatively, the show might be built to end with Season 2. But commercially, it’s a gold mine. With characters in peril, fates unknown, and conflict brewing, many storylines feel like they still have gas left in the tank.
Even if the finale offers closure, fans may not be ready to say goodbye. And given the numbers, Paramount+ might not be ready either.
One thing’s for sure: whether it’s truly the end or just the end of a chapter, the 1923 finale is shaping up to be an unmissable event.
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