When does Season 2 of '1923' come out? Release date for 'Yellowstone' prequel announced

Paramount+ has announced the release date for Season 2 of "Yellowstone" prequel "1923" and the series is returning sooner than expected.

"1923," which chronicles one generation of the Dutton family saga, is the second "Yellowstone" prequel, following the events of the limited series "1883" (released in 2021). It "introduces a new generation of Duttons led by patriarch Jacob and matriarch Cara," played by Harrison Ford and Helen Mirren respectively, according to Paramount+.

"The series explores the early 20th century, when pandemics, historic drought and the end of Prohibition all plague the mountain west, and the Duttons who call it home," the series synopsis states.

Jacob and Cara Dutton are ancestors of the current-day Yellowstone Dutton ranch owner and patriarch John Dutton (Kevin Costner), while Jacob is the brother of James Dutton, the settler played by Tim McGraw in "1883."

Who are the generations of Duttons? Mapping the Dutton Family in 'Yellowstone' and '1883'

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"1923," which originally premiered on Dec. 18, 2022, was "the most-watched Paramount+ premiere ever in the U.S. and drew 7.4 million total viewers across Paramount+ and linear previews," the network said in the Feb. 2023 news release, adding the episode was "the biggest series premiere on cable for 2022."

Here's what we know so far about Season 2 including release date and cast.

'Yellowstone' and its many spinoffs: Everything you need to know

Will there be '1923' Season 2?

Yes. Paramount+, in February 2023, announced that the "record-breaking drama series" would return for a Season 2.

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'1923' Season 2 release date

The second season of "1923" will premiere on Sunday, February 23, on Paramount+, the network said in a news release Thursday.

Filming for the series took place in Austin, Texas, NBC Montana reported in September, before moving to Butte, Montana. Brandon Sklenar, who plays Spencer Dutton in the series, in a post on Instagram last month, shared a series of photographs with the caption "Butte is best," hinting that he may have been shooting for "1923" there.

'1923' Season 2 is 'really the second half of the season'

Season 1 wrapped up with a lot left to be answered, and co-creator Sheridan, in a Dec. 2022 interview with Deadline, said Season 2 is "really the second half of the season," adding he had no idea what direction the season would be taking when he first started working on it.

"This one is different than '1883' where I had the whole thing blocked out in my head," Sheridan told Deadline. "This one, I had no idea what I was going to do. I just went on a journey myself."

Sheridan said he called the network and told them he needed to "make more episodes to finish this story."

"I need to do this in two blocks," Sheridan said he told the network. "An eight-episode block and a second eight-episode block to wrap this up. I can’t wrap it up in two episodes and do the story justice."

Given Sheridan's comments, it is likely that Season 2 of "1923" would be its swan song.

In Season 2 of "1923," "a cruel winter" will bring "new challenges and unfinished business" for the Duttons, according to the season's official synopsis.

"With harsh conditions and adversaries threatening to end the Dutton legacy, Spencer embarks on an arduous journey home, racing against time to save his family in Montana," the synopsis says. "Meanwhile, Alexandra sets off on her own harrowing trans-Atlantic journey to find Spencer and reclaim their love."

'1923' Season 2 cast

Cast members for Season 2 of "1923" so far, as per Paramount+, include:

• Harrison Ford as Jacob Dutton

• Helen Mirren as Cara Dutton

• Brandon Sklenar as Spencer Dutton

• Darren Mann as Jack Dutton

• Michelle Randolph as Elizabeth Strafford

• Julia Schlaepfer as Alexandra Dutton

• Timothy Dalton as Donald Whitfield

• Jerome Flynn as Banner Creighton

• Brian Geraghty as Zane

• Sebastian Roché as Father Renaud

• Aminah Nieves as Teonna

• Jennifer Carpenter

• Robert Patrick as Sheriff McDowell

'Yellowstone' universe: How Harrison Ford, Helen Mirren's '1923' Duttons fit in

'1923' Season 2 teaser

Paramount dropped two teasers for Season 2 of "1923."

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Contributing: Gabe Hauari, Bryan Alexander, USA TODAY

Saman Shafiq is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at sshafiq@gannett.com and follow her on X and Instagram @saman_shafiq7.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: '1923' Season 2: Release date, teasers, where to watch