In a surprising twist behind the scenes of the hit Yellowstone prequel 1923, leaked details from the original script reveal that series creator Taylor Sheridan never intended for Spencer Dutton, portrayed by Brandon Sklenar, to be a central character. The early drafts, insiders say, had Spencer as more of a peripheral figure—a tormented World War I veteran distanced from the Montana-based Dutton family drama, offering occasional check-ins from afar but ultimately playing a background role.

But what changed? And why has Spencer now become one of the breakout stars of the series?

As it turns out, the answer lies in the kind of magic that no script can predict: unexpected on-screen chemistry.

What Changed?: The Unexpected Chemistry Between Brandon Sklenar and Julia Schlaepfer

When Brandon Sklenar first stepped into the boots of Spencer Dutton, the plan was clear: his character would serve as a haunting echo of the trauma and legacy of war, a reminder of the Dutton family’s far-reaching past. Spencer’s early storyline was designed to be more introspective, with minimal direct involvement in the central narrative arc unfolding back in Montana.

However, everything shifted when Sklenar shared his first scenes with Julia Schlaepfer, who plays Alexandra, a high-society British woman who leaves everything behind to be with Spencer. The two actors displayed an electric and deeply emotional connection that wasn’t originally written into the fabric of the story.

According to sources close to the production, the chemistry between Sklenar and Schlaepfer was so palpable during early screen tests and dailies that it caught Taylor Sheridan’s attention immediately. What was meant to be a brief romantic interlude became the emotional core of the show’s international subplot.

Sheridan, known for trusting his instincts and being unafraid to pivot when he sees something working, reportedly began rewriting major parts of the season’s middle and latter episodes to give Spencer and Alexandra a larger journey. Instead of fading into the backdrop, the duo’s story became one of the show’s driving engines—spanning continents, oceans, and, eventually, intersecting with the central Dutton family legacy.

Their saga of love, danger, and survival against the odds gave 1923 a romantic, adventurous heartbeat that balanced the rugged, often brutal world of the American West.

Director’s Notes: How Fan Response and Test Screenings Saved Spencer’s Arc

While Sheridan’s instincts sparked the expansion of Spencer’s role, the final confirmation came from early fan responses and internal test screenings. Several crew members, including those in the editing and production departments, noted how the Spencer-Alexandra storyline garnered stronger emotional reactions than initially anticipated.

During test screenings, scenes between Spencer and Alexandra repeatedly ranked among the top-rated moments in terms of audience engagement and emotional investment. In focus group discussions, viewers described their journey as “epic,” “heartbreaking,” and “the most gripping part of the show.”

It wasn’t just their chemistry—it was the feeling of watching two lost souls find each other in a world unraveling at the seams. It added a sweeping, cinematic layer to 1923, which otherwise leaned heavily into the slow-burn family tension and gritty ranch drama familiar to Yellowstone fans.

Even executives at Paramount+ reportedly took note. Internal memos praised the depth and unpredictability of Spencer’s journey and flagged his character arc as one of the show’s key strengths. Sheridan, always the creative visionary but also a pragmatic showrunner, was said to be “delighted but not surprised” by the positive feedback.

In the final cut of Season 1, Spencer’s role is not only expanded—it becomes essential. His letters to Cara (Helen Mirren), his trek back to Montana, and his ever-growing bond with Alexandra now stand among the show’s most iconic and talked-about moments.

What Could Have Been: A Show Without Spencer?

It’s hard to imagine now, but in a parallel universe, 1923 may have moved forward with only a handful of fleeting appearances from Spencer—a ghost of a soldier, not the emotional anchor that fans have come to adore. Without Spencer, the show might have leaned more heavily on Jacob (Harrison Ford) and Cara’s struggle to maintain the family legacy and navigate the brutal landscape of 1920s Montana.

But would that version of the series have resonated as deeply? Would it have found the same balance between historical gravitas and sweeping romance?

The addition of Spencer’s arc gave the series a global, almost mythic scope. It reminded viewers that the Dutton family’s roots extend far beyond American soil and that their story isn’t just one of land ownership and survival—it’s about the people who’ve loved, lost, and fought for something bigger than themselves.

Brandon Sklenar’s performance—gritty, poetic, and fiercely vulnerable—turned Spencer into one of the most compelling Duttons in the entire Yellowstone universe. And Julia Schlaepfer’s Alexandra is no less remarkable: witty, resilient, and willing to sacrifice her entire life for a love that defies convention.

Together, they became more than a subplot. They became the show’s soul.

Discussion Section: Would 1923 Have Worked Without Spencer?

Now that we know Spencer Dutton was almost just a side character, it raises a major question for fans:

Do you think 1923 would’ve worked without Spencer and Alexandra’s storyline?

Would the Montana-based family drama have been enough to carry the emotional weight of the series? Or did the transcontinental love story provide the balance and depth that made 1923 stand out?

Some fans argue that the core of the Dutton saga has always been about land, legacy, and survival—and that Spencer’s arc, while powerful, was a diversion from the “real” story. Others believe that without Spencer and Alexandra, 1923 would have risked feeling too grim, too isolated, and lacking that necessary dose of heart.

What’s your take? Did Taylor Sheridan make the right call in rewriting the script to focus more on Spencer? Could you see 1923 succeeding without his journey?