Warning! SPOILERS For 1923 Season 2, Episode 6, "The Mountain Teeth Of Monsters"

I think I know what Taylor Sheridan’s next Yellowstone prequel could be about after horrible things that happened to Elizabeth Strafford (Michelle Randolph).

Meanwhile, Spencer Dutton (Brandon Sklenar) is almost home, just a train ride away from Bozeman and the Yellowstone Dutton Ranch. It’s been enthralling to watch Spencer make it back to Montana. The same is true for Spencer’s wife, and she’s been amazing to watch despite the worst things happening to Alexandra Dutton (Julia Schlaepfer). If the couple reunites in the finale, it will be a joyous and memorable conclusion. The reunion could also set up the events of 1944, Sheridan’s teased Dutton prequel, especially in the fallout of Jack Dutton’s death, which leaves Liz a widow.

Taylor Sheridan’s 1944 Yellowstone Prequel Could Be About Young John Dutton

1944 Could Be About John Dutton II

1944 is the next Dutton family prequel teased by Taylor Sheridan. The story would presumably follow the next generation of the Dutton family, conveniently picking up 20 years after 1923 ended. Elizabeth Strafford and Alexandra Dutton are both pregnant as 1923 season 2's finale nears. If both mothers have their children, their offspring will be about 20 years old in 1944. That would make the next generation the perfect age to anchor the Yellowstone story. Considering Jack’s fate will massively impact his wife and family, the next story could be about how that plays out down the road.

Elizabeth might return to Boston, eventually sending her son to live on his family’s ranch as he becomes an adult.

There’s been a lot of talk about whether John Dutton III’s (Kevin Costner) father, John Dutton II (Dabney Coleman), is Jack or Spencer's son. While Jack’s death could have made Spencer John Dutton III’s grandfather, perhaps there’s another explanation, and John Dutton II could still be Elizabeth and Jack’s son. After the family’s range war, Elizabeth might return to Boston, eventually sending her son to live on his family’s ranch as he becomes an adult. Therefore, 1944 could be about John Dutton II making his way home to the Yellowstone, where he would have grown up without his father’s death.

Would 1923 Actors Reprise Their Roles In Taylor Sheridan’s 1944 Yellowstone Prequel?

Brandon Sklenar Could Feature In 1944

While Taylor Sheridan’s 1944 prequel is likely about the 1923 characters after the Prohibition era and the Great Depression, it’s unlikely the actors will reprise their roles as Spencer, Alexandra, and Elizabeth, respectively. Taking place 20 years in the future, 1944 would likely recast the roles to adequately portray the time that had ed, better positioning the characters and story in time. That means, since Taylor Sheridan previously said 1923 would only have two seasons, 1923 season 2 could be the last we see of Alex and Spencer's love story from Julia Schlaepfer and Brandon Sklenar.

However, the 1923 characters could still feature in 1944. Flashbacks to the family’s earlier memories are a significant part of the neo-Western franchise, helping to fill out the details of John Dutton’s family in Yellowstone and James Dutton’s (Tim McGraw) 1883 family. 1944 could similarly feature flashbacks to 1923’s characters, featuring actors like Sklenar to paint a complete picture of what happened at the Dutton Ranch over the previous two decades. That way, we could get the sense of a new era for the Dutton family while still enjoying the brilliant performances from 1923's actors, particularly Spencer, Alex, and Elizabeth.