Jennifer Carpenter, who is best known for playing Debra Morgan in Dexter, joined the cast of 1923 season 2, and her character is surprisingly based on a real person. The cast of 1923 was already star-studded in season 1, as it featured Harrison Ford, Helen Mirren, Brandon Sklenar, and more, but Jennifer Carpenter’s casting brought it to new heights. Carpenter’s 1923 character was also advertised as a mysterious figure who finds herself in the middle of the Dutton family’s story, so 1923 fans likely want to know who she’s playing in the Yellowstone prequel.
While she is best known for Dexter, Jennifer Carpenter has also had a very accomplished career outside the serial killer drama. Carpenter has had some notable roles in movies like White Chicks, where she played Lisa, The Exorcism of Emily Rose, where she played the titular Emily Rose, and Quarantine, where she played Angela. She’s also had a few more successes on the silver screen: Carpenter starred in both 2015’s Limitless as Rebecca and in The Enemy Within as Erica. Now, Carpenter is joining the “Sheridanverse” of Yellowstone spinoffs with her character in 1923 season 2.
Who Dexter’s Jennifer Carpenter Plays In 1923 Season 2
Carpenter Plays Mamie Fossett, A Real-Life Marshal, In 1923 Season 2
Jennifer Carpenter’s 1923 character actually has a very overt similarity to Debra Morgan: they’re both officers of the law. Carpenter plays U.S. Marshal Mamie Fossett, based out of Oklahoma, in 1923 season 2. Her character is based on the real Mamie Fossett, a woman who served as a U.S. Marshal in Oklahoma (via Newspapers), though there’s very little information available about the historical figure. In 1923 season 2, episode 2, Fossett briefly met with Marshal Kent (Jamie McShane) and Father Renaud (Sebastian Roché) to discuss their search for Teonna Rainwater (Aminah Nieves).
In preparing for her 1923 role, Jennifer Carpenter also did some research into the real Mamie Fossett. According to Carpenter, Fossett “had intended to homestead in the area and became one of the first female U.S. Marshals. Not to do clerical work behind a desk, but to go and work the [Oklahoma] territory,” (via TV Insider). Her first appearance in 1923 season 2 confirmed Carpenter’s words: Fossett was seen putting Marshal Kent in his place, even going as far as to call him a bigot in the wrong century. Mamie Fossett seems to be quite a force, and she could have a huge impact on 1923.
How Jennifer Carpenter Fits Into 1923 Season 2
Carpenter’s Mamie Fossett Will Have A Run-In With Spencer Dutton Sooner Or Later
Though she didn’t have a big role in episode 2, Jennifer Carpenter’s Mamie Fossett is certainly going to tie into 1923 season 2 more in future episodes. Fossett will likely have a run-in with Teonna Rainwater, given how Kent and Renaud came to her for help in finding the young woman. Additionally, while speaking with Screen Rant, Jennifer Carpenter mentioned that Mamie Fossett is significantly different from other officers of the law in 1923, such as Sheriff McDowell (Robert Patrick) or Marshal Kent.
“She is committed to the work, tethered to it, in a really honest way. So, I don’t think that she is easily knocked off her course or easily influenced in one way or another, and also doesn’t have a side agenda where she could or would manipulate agendas.”
Fossett could also be seen in one of the trailers for 1923 holding a gun to Spencer Dutton (Brandon Sklenar). Carpenter also mentioned that their paths will cross in 1923 season 2, but couldn’t go into any more detail than that. After 1923 season 2, episode 2, however, Spencer is right on his way towards Oklahoma and Fossett’s territory, and he’s also bootlegging a truckload of illegal whiskey. It seems that 1923 has already done quite a bit of the setup required for Fossett and Spencer’s paths to intertwine, though how that meeting turns out remains to be seen.