Yahoo Lifestyle How Is Spencer Dutton Related to John Dutton on 'Yellowstone'?
The Yellowstone prequel 1923 is airing on Paramount Network for the first time, and new viewers of the show (or those who need a refresher since it's been nearly two years since season one aired) are bound to have some questions about the Dutton family tree.
It is a bit complicated, especially because Yellowstone aired first, before 1883 and 1923. The time jumps can make it hard to follow, especially because none of the characters overlap except for John Dutton Sr., who appears as a child on 1883 and an adult on 1923.
Spencer Dutton (Brandon Sklenar) stars on 1923 as former solider-turned-big game hunter who falls in love with Alex (Julia Schlaepfer). Spencer's parents are 1883 stars James and Margaret (Tim McGraw and Faith Hill). James and Margaret have two other children: Elsa and John Dutton Sr. John Sr. and his wife Emma have one child, Jack, before John Sr.'s death.
Here's where it gets confusing: The storyline has not revealed if Spencer or Jack is the father of John Dutton II and therefore the grandfather of John Dutton III (Kevin Costner's Yellowstone character). Even the actors aren't clear on the relationship.
In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Brandon Sklenar said he's unsure how Spencer is related to Kevin Costner's John Dutton III: "It’s something that Taylor [Sheridan] is keeping very close to the vest. I have my own theories, but it’s to be told, to be written, to be seen. He’s always moving all that stuff around."
James Dale, who stars as John Sr. in 1923, told TV Insider, "We would talk about this all the time on set, and we couldn’t figure it out. I know Luke Grimes [Kayce Dutton in Yellowstone], and he would call me and be like, 'I don’t know how we’re related either.' We were trying to figure it out. I think Taylor probably has a few more curveballs planned."
Why does it even matter? It comes down to the Dutton prophecy. In 1883, James Dutton was given permission to settle his family on the land for seven generations. If Jack is the grandfather of John III, then Tate (Brecken Merrill) would be the seventh generation and the last of the Dutton family to live on their land. If the lineage comes from Spencer, then Tate is only the sixth.
So, if you're feeling confused, it's for good reason! We'll have to wait and see how the story unfolds as Yellowstone concludes and 1923 returns for season 2 on February 23.
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