Making that work could be complicated, however. Consider this your spoiler alert warning.

What Happened to Jacob Dutton in 1923?

During Ep. 7 of Season 2 of 1923, Jacob Dutton and his men square off against Banner Creighton and his men at the train station. The good guys win, and Jacob accompanies Alexandra to the hospital for frostbite treatment.

As the series closes, he’s at home with his wife Cara (Helen Mirren), who is holding Alex and Spencer’s baby boy. Now retired, he watches as Spencer makes critical ranch decisions.

So Jacob lives! That’s a little surprising to cast members. Per the same THR story, Mirren joked that she was sure her character was going to die up to the last minute. The finale included plenty of death, but we won’t spoil more than we need to here.

Could Jacob Dutton Be a Part of 1944?

It would take a bit of creativity to make Harrison Ford’s Jacob Dutton a part of Yellowstone prequel 1944. Casting doubt on the possibility is his character would be nearly 100 years old, meaning the show would need to age up Ford, who’s 82.

Yellowstone made use of flashback scenes to help tell the modern story, and 1944 could do the same. There are so many unanswered questions about this two-decade gap that one could easily justify bringing Ford back for a few scenes. Maybe this is a theme, as Julia Schlaepfer also hinted that she’d love to bring “Ghost Alex” to an upcoming series.

So, could it happen? Sure. Will it? b

During the FYC (for your consideration) event in Los Angeles, Ford conceded that he really had no idea what to expect next from Sheridan. He appears to be wishing without evidence, just like fans of the show.

34 ‘Yellowstone’ Facts You Probably Didn’t Know

How big of a fan of Yellowstone are you? These 34 facts about the show are sure to stump even the most dedicated viewers. They’re almost all about the cast members and their real-life passions and roles.

The real-life marriage? Who has the most kills? Who told Taylor Sheridan “No”? These have all been added before Season 5 of Yellowstone resumes on Nov. 10.

John’s kids? Beth’s accent? Rainwater’s guitar playing? Tate’s spoilers? They’re also included on this list of 34 Facts You Probably Didn’t Know About Yellowstone.

Gallery Credit: Billy Dukes

Yellowstone Fact No. 34: Who Has the Most Kills?

‘Yellowstone’ Fact No. 34: Who Has the Most Kills?

Heading into Season 5, Part 2 of Yellowstone, Rip Wheeler has the most kills with nine. Kayce Dutton has five, followed by the Beck Brothers (three by proxy) and Agent Steve Hendon (three).

Granted, it’s impossible to tell who killed who during certain scenes. For example, the Season 2 finale is chaos and many people get killed in a hail of gun fire at the start of Season 4. This info is confirmed kills after re-watching and with help from this Yellowstone Wiki page.

Yellowstone Fact No. 33: These Two Got Married

Walker and Laramie were a sexy on-screen couple during Season 4 and Season 5 of Yellowstone, and that chemistry spilled over. The got married in October 2023.

Yellowstone Fact No. 32: Why Sam Elliott Said No

Sam Elliott was terrific on Taylor Sheridan’s 1883, but during that run he admitted to Marc Maron that he said “No” to Yellowstone.

The reason? He doesn’t like the show. Honestly, he blasted it as a soap opera that was too much like “f—ing” Dallas.

Yellowstone Fact No. 31: What Lainey Wilson Stole

Lainey Wilson appeared as Abby during Season 5 of Yellowstone, and after filming, she admitted a theft to Taste of Country.

One day, she arrived having not showered or shaved, so she took prop deodorant and razors from the bunk house and made do. Kinda curious to know if she put ’em back.

Yellowstone Fact No. 30: The Truth About Zach Bryans First Appearance

Yellowstone really wanted to feature Zach Bryan’s song “Condemned,” but his original was recorded in an AirBNB. So the show paid for him to re-cut it with Chris Stapleton’s producer Dave Cobb in Nashville.

It happened in November 2019 and produced a two-song EP called Studio A Recordings. The next year he’d appear on Yellowstone, and his career took off soon after.

Yellowstone Fact No. 29: John Dutton May Not Be Getting Rich But Kevin Costner Is

‘Yellowstone’ Fact No. 29: John Dutton May Not Be Getting Rich But Kevin Costner Is

In July 2022, Variety reported that Costner was set to earn $1.3 million per episode of Yellowstone, up from $500,000 an ep. in Season 1. That includes some production credits and other responsibilities.

Yellowstone Fact No. 28: How Much Does Rip Make?

‘Yellowstone’ Fact No. 28: How Much Does Rip Make?

Season 5 salaries for the rest of the cast of Yellowstone are not known, but Cinema Blend estimated that Kelly Reilly (Beth), Cole Hauser (Rip), Luke Grimes (Kayce), Wes Bentley (Jamie) and Kelsey Asbille (Monica) made about $200,000 per episode in Season 1.

Yellowstone Fact No. 27: Speaking of Rip …

‘Yellowstone’ Fact No. 27: Speaking of Rip …

Taylor Sheridan only had eyes for Cole Hauser as Rip Wheeler. The Dazed and Confused actor and (bonus fact) heir to Warner Brothers didn’t even have to audition for Yellowstone.

Yellowstone Fact No. 26: A Connection With Lost

‘Yellowstone’ Fact No. 26: A Connection With ‘Lost’

During Season 4, Rip (Cole Hauser) kills Roarke by throwing a rattlesnake at him. It was cool at the time, if a bit unrealistic as time has passed.

That was the first time Taylor Sheridan tapped an actor from the hit ABC show Lost for Yellowstone. He’ll do it again for the sequel, The Madison. The new series is set to star Matthew Fox, who played Jack on the 2000s TV show.

Yellowstone Fact No. 25: Kelly Reillys Audition

‘Yellowstone’ Fact No. 25: Kelly Reilly’s Audition

The woman who would come to play Beth Dutton did send an audition tape, but when Taylor Sheridan saw it, he knew she was Beth. He says that’s his favorite character to write.

Yellowstone Fact No. 24: Will All the Real Cowboys Please Stand Up?

Not you, Jimmy. Actor Jefferson White’s inability on a horse is well-documented — although we hear he’s getting better — but other actors that stay in the Yellowstone bunkhouse are veterans of the rodeo.

Actor Forrie J. Smith (Lloyd), Jake Ream (Jake), Ethan Lee (Ethan) and Ryan Bingham (Walker) are four with serious horse cred. In fact, they help teach the rest of the cast how to ride and handle horses. Writer Taylor Sheridan is also very capable. In fact …

Yellowstone Fact No. 23: Those Aren’t Just Any Horses

‘Yellowstone’ Fact No. 23: Those Aren’t Just Any Horses

Sheridan supplies many of the horses used on Yellowstone from his own ranch. Others that are noted as famous in Yellowstone are actual champion horses. Metallic Cat has a stud fee of $10,000.

Yellowstone Fact No. 22: Lloyd’s Bunk

‘Yellowstone’ Fact No. 22: Lloyd’s Bunk

Many of the actors on the show lend their expertise to the set and script. Forrie J. Smith provided helpful insight when it came to designing the famous Yellowstone bunkhouse. He’d actually lived in similar settings, so he knew. Many of the personal items in Lloyd’s bunk came from Smith’s career and collection.

Yellowstone Fact No. 21: Does Sarah Atwood Look Familiar?

‘Yellowstone’ Fact No. 21: Does Sarah Atwood Look Familiar?

Actor Dawn Olivieri plays Sarah Atwood on Yellowstone, and as Season 5 begins, she’s part of a plot to kill a Dutton.

The irony is, she was a Dutton in a past life. During the first two episodes of 1883, she played Claire Dutton, sister-in-law to James Dutton (Tim McGraw). Things don’t go well for her there.

Yellowstone Fact No. 20: The Truth About Branding

‘Yellowstone’ Fact No. 20: The Truth About Branding

Jefferson White told Taste of Country how the show’s branding scenes work. “Part of what was important to accomplishing that effect was smoke, sort or rising off the brand. The only way we figured out how to accomplish that was for Cole Hauser … to use an actually super-heated brand,” he says.

White held a piece of wood covered in leather against his chest as Hauser (Rip Wheeler) branded the leather. It was all two inches from his chest. “I will never forget the smell, which was very sort of potent and authentic,” the actor adds. “And I’ll never forget the heat that rose off of the brand at that moment.”

Yellowstone Fact No. 19: Yellowstone Is Montana Proud

‘Yellowstone’ Fact No. 19: ‘Yellowstone’ Is Montana Proud

Seasons 1-3 of Yellowstone were filmed in Utah (mostly) but because of Montana’s more attractive tax incentive programs, the show moved. However …

Yellowstone Fact No. 18: Is the Train Station Real?

In early 2022, several people and websites began to claim the road used as the “Train Station” was in Eden, Utah. The location is intentionally vague on the show, with Lloyd only describing it as a land without government. As it turns out, a place like that actually may exist.

Yellowstone Fact No. 17: The Truth About Livestock Agent Steve Hendon

Neilson Barnard, Getty Images /

‘Yellowstone’ Fact No. 17: The Truth About Livestock Agent Steve Hendon

Here is a list of characters James Jordan has played in Taylor Sheridan productions:

Ed in Mayor of Kingstown
Cookie in 1883
Livestock Agent Hendon in Yellowstone
Two Cups in Lioness
Pete Mickens in Wind River
Dale in Landman

Most of these roles are significant and his characters aren’t all the same (although most are a bit surely). It’s fun to try to spot Jordan in a Sheridan production. He’s sort of like his “Where’s Waldo?”

Yellowstone Fact No. 16: What’s Gator Cooking?

‘Yellowstone’ Fact No. 16: What’s Gator Cooking?

Gator is a real-life chef named Gabriel “Gator” Guilbeau. Fans only see him once or twice a season, but the rest of the time he’s keeping busy as the head of craft services.

Yellowstone Fact No. 15: A Young Kevin Costner

‘Yellowstone’ Fact No. 15: A Young Kevin Costner

We made a full list of ways Yellowstone creator Taylor Sheridan uses the same actors and their family again and again. One we didn’t add was Kevin Costner’s connection to Ian Bohen, who plays Ryan. In 1994, Bohen played the boyhood version of Costner’s titular character in Wyatt Earp, and he remembers the veteran actor as very kind.

Yellowstone Fact No. 14: Kevin Costers Kids

Getty Images

‘Yellowstone’ Fact No. 14: Kevin Coster’s Kids

Kevin Costner’s John Dutton has four kids (including the late Lee Dutton and adopted Jamie Dutton), but in real life he has seven children from three relationships. His daughter Lily is a talented singer who’s collaborated with his band, Kevin Costner & Modern West.

Yellowstone Fact No. 13: Malcolm Beck Returns! (Kinda)

‘Yellowstone’ Fact No. 13: Malcolm Beck Returns! (Kinda)

The Dutton Rules podcast team believes Malcolm Beck to be the best Yellowstone villain of all time, so it was exciting to see actor Neal McDonough back on another Taylor Sheridan show.

His character on Tulsa King Season 2 is Cal Thresher, and it’s a very similar role. However, the part and his acting aren’t as strong. One could probably blame the writing, but he’s still a sinister SOB.

Yellowstone Fact No. 12: Gil Birmingham Plays Guitar

‘Yellowstone’ Fact No. 12: Gil Birmingham Plays Guitar

Actor Gil Birmingham (Thomas Rainwater) doesn’t just play a little. He’s a very talented musician, as seen HERE. On the show, he’s not alone. We mentioned Costner’s band, but Ryan Bingham (Walker) also sings and writes songs. Denim Richards (Colby) is a classically trained opera singer.

Yellowstone Fact No. 11: Meet Summer Higgins Real-Life Husband

‘Yellowstone’ Fact No. 11: Meet Summer Higgins Real-Life Husband

Piper Perabo was a very successful actor before taking the role of Summer Higgins on Yellowstone. Landing the role was surely made easier by being married to Stephen Kay, who has directed many of the most well-known episodes of the show.

That’s him on the far left, next to Perabo, Kelsey Asbille and Luke Grimes.

Yellowstone Fact No. 10: Rips Boston Accent?

‘Yellowstone’ Fact No. 10: Rip’s Boston Accent?

Cole Hauser plays Dutton fixer Rip Wheeler. Prior to starring in Yellowstone he appeared in many movies, including Good Will Hunting. In the film, he’s one of Matt Damon’s good friends. It’s a small, but important role.

Yellowstone Fact No. 9: Teeters Old Man

‘Yellowstone’ Fact No. 9: Teeter’s Old Man

Teeter first appeared in Season 3, and soon after actor Jennifer Landon revealed she was a little afraid of the animals, at first. She’s not the first person from her family to star on an open range, however. Her father, Michael Landon, was Charles Ingalls on Little House on the Prairie.

Yellowstone Fact No. 8: Why Jamie Looks Familiar

‘Yellowstone’ Fact No. 8: Why Jamie Looks Familiar

You really can’t forget those eyes, and most people who’ve seen the Kevin Spacey film American Beauty don’t. Wes Bentley played the next door neighbor Ricky Fitts, a character who (spoiler alert) indirectly gets the main character killed. It’s a stunning role that shows Bentley’s artistic range.

Yellowstone Fact No. 7: The Most Watched TV Show of 2021-22

During the 2021-22 season, Yellowstone was the most-watched non-football TV show with an average of 11.3 million viewers. The 2022-23 season wasn’t too shabby either, with 15.7 million people watching the Season 5 premiere.

Yellowstone Fact No. 6: The Real Yellowstone Ranch?

‘Yellowstone’ Fact No. 6: The Real Yellowstone Ranch?

The ranch used for exterior scenes and more is called the Chief Joseph Ranch in Darby, Mont. Guests can actually stay in one of the Dutton cabins (it’s expensive, and there’s a long wait, but you can do it) seen during most episodes of Yellowstone. The show is filmed in Montana and Utah.

Yellowstone Fact No. 5: Why Cody Johnson Said No

In 2024, Cody Johnson told Audacy radio that he had to say “No” to Taylor Sheridan because he just didn’t have time in his schedule. He was all booked up. But …

“We’re looking ahead to the future,” he shared. “There’s a few movie things where I’m like, ‘Look, if you guys give me the notice, I can make this happen.’”

Yellowstone Fact No. 4: 50 Shades of Kayce

Frazer Harrison, Getty Images

‘Yellowstone’ Fact No. 4: 50 Shades of Kayce

Luke Grimes plays Kayce Dutton, John’s youngest son. In real life Grimes auditioned for the main role in the Twilight series of films and landed the role as Elliott Grey, Christian Grey’s brother, in the 50 Shades of Grey series.

Yellowstone Fact No. 3: Tates Kidnapping

‘Yellowstone’ Fact No. 3: Tate’s Kidnapping

Actor Brecken Merrill is the go-to for behind-the-scenes Instagram content. On Instagram he shares and maybe even overshares. Not long ago he revealed that the show filmed him being kidnapped (end of Season 2) but ultimately chose not to air it, figuring there’d be more more suspense.

Yellowstone Fact No. 2: Beths British Accent

‘Yellowstone’ Fact No. 2: Beth’s British Accent

This should be a surprise to most who’ve admired how Beth Dutton thrives across a patriarchal society in western Montana. Actor Kelly Reilly is actually from London and speaks with a British accent. Need proof? Go watch the first Sherlock Holmes movie staring Robert Downey Jr. She plays Watson’s wife, Mary.

Yellowstone Fact No. 1: The Jeff Bridges Connection

‘Yellowstone’ Fact No. 1: The Jeff Bridges Connection

This is Ryan Bingham, who plays tender-hearted Walker on Yellowstone. He’s a known singer/songwriter who provided so much of the great music for the Jeff Bridges movie Crazy Heart (2009). He’s not the only one from the franchise to work alongside Bridges, however. Gil Birmingham starred with Bridges in Hell or High Water (2016) and Sam Elliott — star of the Yellowstone prequel 1883 — sat next to him in The Big Lebowski. This is all to say that rumors of a Bridges appearance on this franchise come through a lot of smoke. It feels close!

17 Most Stunning Yellowstone Franchise Deaths

No character is safe in Taylor Sheridan’s Yellowstone universe. Here are the 17 most stunning deaths from 1883, 1923 and five seasons of Yellowstone.

Gallery Credit: Billy Dukes

17. Jamie Dutton, Yellowstone

17. Jamie Dutton, ‘Yellowstone’

Jamie Dutton’s death during the Season 5 Yellowstone finale was seven years in the making. Everyone knew Beth Dutton wanted him dead, but it was still stunning to see it happen.

16. John Dutton, Yellowstone

16. John Dutton, ‘Yellowstone’

Actor Kevin Costner’s public negotiations with Paramount made it clear that his character would not return to finish Season 5. This made his death inevitable as Part 2 of the final season of Yellowstone began.

15. Elsa Dutton, 1883

15. Elsa Dutton, ‘1883’

Elsa Dutton’s death at the end of 1883 would be No. 1 on this list of the Yellowstone franchise’s most surprising deaths, except that we see her got shot through the chest with an arrow in the very first scenes of the prequel.

The show rewinds after that to show James Dutton’s journey northwest, but everyone knows what’s coming.

14. Shea Brennan, 1883

14. Shea Brennan, ‘1883’

Captain Shea Brennan was an all-time great franchise character who spent the full season of 1883 in a depression. When he dies by suicide at the end, it seems fitting, but still stunning. Brennan knew what was coming all along, but viewers didn’t.

13. James Dutton, 1883 (Death Revealed During 1923)

13. James Dutton, ‘1883’ (Death Revealed During ‘1923’)

James Dutton survives 1883, but during a flashback scene in Yellowstone we see him get shot by cattle thieves. It’s not until the start of 1923 that we get confirmation of his death, however. It was an underwhelming end for the patriarch.

12. Margaret Dutton, 1883 (Death Revealed During 1923)

12. Margaret Dutton, ‘1883’ (Death Revealed During ‘1923’)

Margaret Dutton’s death was also unexpected. Like James, we learn she died from Elsa’s voiceover at the start of 1923. She froze to death after James died.

11. Claire Dutton, 1883

11. Claire Dutton, ‘1883’

Aunt Claire Dutton was a grouch widow set to join the Duttons as they advanced northwest from Texas in 1883. In retrospect, there’s no way she would have survived the journey, but her death by suicide foretold of the great tragedies to come.

10. John Dutton, 1923

10. John Dutton, ‘1923’

The original John Dutton died in Ep. 3 of 1923 Season 1, and it’s likely he’d rank higher on this list if we got to know him a little better. Similarly, his wife Emma (Jack Dutton’s mom) doesn’t even make this list.