1923 star Michelle Randolph shares her thoughts on Jack Dutton’s (Darren Mann) death in the season 2 finale and Liz’s reaction to it. Serving as the latest Yellowstone spinoff following the success of 1883, the hit Paramount+ series follows Jacob and Cara Dutton, played by Harrison Ford and Helen Mirren, respectively, as they defend their Montana ranch from outside threats. The 1923 season 2 finale brought the show’s sophomore outing – and potentially the show as a whole – to an end on Sunday, with a number of characters meeting their ends, including Jack, Jacob’s great-nephew.
In a recent interview for the 1923 season 2 finale, Randolph, who plays the newly-widowed Liz, shares her thoughts on her character’s state of mind following the climactic episode. The event is yet another tragic event that Liz endures in the show, and the actor shares that her character is “devastated” by the loss. Despite the sad ending for Liz in 1923, Randolph sees potential to further explore this character as she sets out for a fresh start. Check out her comment below:
I think she’s devastated. She lost a part of herself. She sacrificed her whole life to be with this man, who sometimes acts like a boy, who dies. And I think part of her heartbreak is that he chose to leave, and it was his immaturity of wanting to go be a part of the fight when really his priority should have been her. Maybe he’d still be alive had he not gone.
But I also understand the loyalty he has for his family, and how important that is, and that is what would ultimately protect Elizabeth at the end of the day. Basically, that’s a whole lot of words to say, “I don’t know.” I processed that with you.
And there are so many places that could go. I think it’s devastating for Elizabeth to leave and abandon Cara, and to go to a place where no one understands what she just went through. And now, she has to try to start over with this baby. I just think there are so many possibilities for a story to be told.
What This Means For 1923
Will Liz’s Story Continue?
Jack is one of several in the 1923 cast of characters that die in the season 2 finale. Donald Whitfield (Timothy Dalton), for example, also met his end, along with all his hired guns, bringing this particular conflict to a close. The show teases that Whitfield is “just the first” wealthy elite who would try to take over the Dutton’s land, setting up the events of Yellowstone and the continued struggle in Paradise Valley over the next century. The season 2 finale has closed the door on this particular chapter of the story, but season 3 remains a question mark.
The season 2 finale has not been officially dubbed a series finale, but it could be. The show was seemingly conceived with a two-season arc in mind, meaning 1923 season 3 could be off the cards. Though Randolph clearly sees the potential to further explore Liz as a character, the Yellowstone franchise is already chugging along with a new prequel in the works called 1944, which would seemingly explore the life of John Dutton II. Brandon Sklenar’s Spencer Dutton could return in this new spinoff, potentially meaning Liz could as well.
Our Take On Liz’s 1923 Season 2 Finale Fate
Should She Return?
After burying Jack, Liz leaves Montana behind, ready to start a new life with her baby. The ambiguity of the season 2 finale does leave room for further exploration of that character, but it also might be a fitting end for her, with her fate left as something of a question mark. The fact that she is seemingly leaving Montana could be a sign that she won’t be seen again, as all the Yellowstone shows have generally been fairly focused on this particular location and the struggles that take place in Paradise Valley.
It wouldn’t be surprising to see Spencer Dutton return in 1944 given his role as John Dutton II’s father, but Liz is no longer a part of this particular orbit.
Though it seems like the 1923 season 2 finale has been somewhat divisive overall, it does arguably wrap up the important storylines while paving the way for more story in a new era. It wouldn’t be surprising to see Spencer Dutton return in 1944 given his role as John Dutton II’s father, but Liz is no longer a part of this particular orbit. It remains to be seen whether the 1923 season 2 finale is truly the end, but Randolph evidently thinks there could be a future for Liz in the franchise.