How “1923”’s season 2 premiere pays tribute to late actor Cole Brings Plenty

The season 2 premiere of 1923 opened on an emotional note as it honored late star Cole Brings Plenty. 

The actor, who portrayed Pete Plenty Clouds in the Yellowstone prequel, was found dead at 27 last April — just days after he went missing and was sought out by Kansas police in connection to an alleged domestic violence incident. The Johnson County Sheriff's Office later announced in a press release that they found "no indication of foul play” in his death. 

The show’s tribute to the late actor can be seen at the very beginning of the episode as a sepia-toned slideshow projects snapshots and clips of Brings Plenty as Pete on the Taylor Sheridan-penned Western. An accompanying message reads: “In memoriam Cole Brings Plenty.”

Related: 1923 season 2 trailer sees Harrison Ford and Helen Mirren prepare for 'war'

On April 2, the Lawrence Kansas Police Department stated in a press release that it had “submitted an affidavit to the District Attorney for the arrest of Cole Brings Plenty after an incident Sunday morning at an apartment in Lawrence.” That same day, his uncle Mo Brings Plenty — who plays Mo on Yellowstone — also sought help to locate his nephew on social media.

In the release, authorities said that they responded to reports of a woman screaming for help, but that the suspect had fled the scene prior to their arrival. Additional information about the case was not disclosed in order to protect the alleged victim due to it being a matter of domestic violence, police said. 

Brings Plenty was later found dead in a wooded area in Johnson County, Kan., on April 5, a press release from the Johnson County Sheriff's Office confirmed. In a statement to Entertainment Weekly, Brings Plenty’s father, Joe Brings Plenty Sr., expressed his “heartfelt gratitude to everyone for the prayers and positive thoughts you sent for Cole.” He added in part, “During this incredibly difficult time, we ask for privacy as we process our grief and figure out how we move forward. Please know we appreciate you and appreciate your understanding."

Less than a week later, authorities announced that they suspected no foul play in Brings Plenty's death. In a separate statement, Lawrence Police Chief Rich Lockhart called it “a tragic case for everyone involved” and acknowledged that the department “must work harder to increase trust with our Native American community members."

Brings Plenty's family has criticized the police department's handling of the case in the months following his death. Last November, Brings Plenty Sr. called for a “full” and “fair investigation” to be done while speaking at the Red Nation Film Festival, the Los Angeles Times reports.

Related: Harrison Ford and Helen Mirren return in action-packed first look at 1923 season 2

The role of Pete has since been recast for the second season of 1923, with the quick-witted sheep herder now being portrayed by 1883 star Jeremy Gauna. The character is heavily featured in the premiere as he continues to travel South with his love interest Teonna Rainwater (Aminah Nieves) and her father Runs His Horse (Michael Spears) hoping to find refuge with the Comanche after Teonna murdered Sister Mary in season 1.

All the while, Father Renaud (Sebastian Roché) and the Marshals have been hot on their heels. And, as they prove throughout the first episode, they’re prepared to get information on her latest whereabouts by any brutal means necessary.

1923 is streaming now on Paramount+.

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