The Yellowstone prequel series 1923 showcases the Dutton family of ranchers trying to get by during a period of extreme hardship. Faced with environmental issues like a shortage of grass for their cattle and pandemics along with economic and social upheaval from the end of Prohibition and the impending depression, the family must find ways to care for each other, their livestock, and the land like never before. Led by big names like Harrison Ford and Helen Mirren, 1923's cast is rounded out by talented actors who make the hardship and the joy of Montana in the '20s feel real.
Ahead of the series premiere on Dec. 18, Marley Shelton, who plays Emma Dutton, and James Badge Dale, who plays John Dutton Sr., spoke with CBR about some of the strong characters and strong actors on the show. The pair dove into the fun of filming this Western story, including the cowboying tricks they learned, and shared how they kept things light and fun despite the desperate drama of the show.
CBR: Marley, the women of 1923 are particularly strong, resilient, and independent. What was it like to find Emma and to get into the character of a woman like that for this story?
Marley Shelton: Well, Taylor Sheridan writes such beautiful stories and characters, specifically, that it was there for me to dive into, but yes. I think she... We were talking about that there was a necessary stoicism to Emma because survival is paramount. The stakes are so high in this world. Danger is always lurking, so this strength and that grit, and just tapping into that kind of backbone... I think for Emma, the way she coped was just in the doing of the task at hand -- staying busy, staying focused, a sense of order. I think that helped her to not go to places of fear, especially when my husband is on a cattle drive and may never come back.
James Badge Dale: I'm coming back.
Shelton: How do I know? [both laugh] Because it had to be tortuous, but you weren't allowed to let yourself go there. You can unravel, right? You just got to keep pressing, and these women were remarkable.
Absolutely. 100%
Dale: Taylor [Sheridan] went and hired some very strong actors. It was really remarkable to watch you guys do what you do.
Shelton: I mean, this guy.
Dale: I'm a big fan.
Yeah, speaking of that guy -- James, what drew you to the story of the Duttons and of John as a character?
Dale: You get these few opportunities in your life to kind of tell stories that have some resonance and some meaning and to work with great people. It's just... It was a moment in time that I'll never forget. I have all these beautiful memories, and the crazy thing is, they filmed it with five cameras. [Shelton laughs] I got to ride horses and hang out with Indiana Jones. It's pretty awesome.
It is pretty rad. I hear there's a pretty epic cowboy camp leading into the filming of this. Did you get to pick up any new cowboy tricks or anything, James?
Dale: You know what was wild -- and I worked on it a little bit, but I didn't have to do it in the film -- but the roping.
Shelton: Oh, yeah.
Dale: The roping is so specific, and the hand movements, and the timing... We got to know these guys pretty well, and they're so funny because they practice roping each other. You'd be on set up in basecamp, and they're just [mimes roping] and rope your leg. It's just a fun group of people, you know.
Shelton: I got to learn the skill of buggy driving, which is also very much more difficult than you might think.
I would think pretty difficult, actually. Well, that's amazing. I mean, Yellowstone and these prequel series can be pretty dark, pretty rough and tumble. So it's good that you have these fun memories to kind of get out of that headspace. Did you have any other methods for getting out of some of the drama of the filming process?
Shelton: Oh, you know, we had such a supportive cast and crew where there's just such camaraderie and trust. I think that there was such a joy in... We all knew that we were doing something really special. You have those momentary wobbles after certain scenes, if they're intense, emotional scenes or whatever, but it doesn't take long to rebound because you're just held by your fellow castmates. It's a thrill.
Dale: You know, it's funny. You don't want to lean so far into the darkness or the drama. We all try to keep things pretty light off-camera, and then you kind of you can switch it on.
Shelton: Yeah, it seems counterintuitive, but it actually isn't because we could be joking, and then they could say, "action," and then we could be weeping because that fluidity is what is alive, right? It's more if you kind of get stuck in a zone, that's death to the acting process.
Dale: I used to do that. When I was a younger actor, I was so serious... I was so exhausted all the time. It's just better to be a fun person.
1923 premieres Dec. 18 on Paramount+.