Taylor Sheridan Can Point Fingers, but ‘1923’ Season 2 Tells a Different Story

When news broke that Yellowstone would end with its current season, much of the initial blame was laid at Kevin Costner’s feet. Reports swirled about scheduling conflicts, disagreements over shooting days, and tensions between Costner and creator Taylor Sheridan. It was an easy narrative to latch onto — the show’s lead actor clashing with its uncompromising creative force. Sheridan himself didn’t shy away from implying that Costner’s priorities, particularly his commitment to directing Horizon, played a role in the series’ fate

But here’s the thing: 1923 Season 2 muddies that tidy blame game. The Yellowstone prequel, led by Harrison Ford and Helen Mirren, has proven that Sheridan’s storytelling world doesn’t need the flagship series to keep the Dutton saga alive. In fact, 1923 is not only holding its own but also expanding the universe with fresh characters, layered conflicts, and that same high-stakes drama fans crave.

If Yellowstone truly hinged on Costner’s availability, then the success of 1923 suggests the Dutton brand can thrive without him. This raises a bigger question: Was ending Yellowstone less about Costner’s departure and more about Sheridan wanting narrative freedom to explore other timelines? In interviews, Sheridan has hinted at his fatigue with the constraints of the modern-day storyline, while spin-offs allow him to play with history, politics, and family dynamics on a broader canvas.

1923 Season 2 has doubled down on those opportunities. The show’s pacing is tighter, its conflicts more unpredictable, and its cinematography often surpasses the parent series. The chemistry between Ford and Mirren feels lived-in and authentic, and the parallel subplots — from Montana’s ranching battles to international storylines — prove Sheridan’s world-building chops are as strong as ever. That creative energy doesn’t look like it’s coming from a man lamenting the loss of Costner; it looks like someone already building his next empire.

Of course, Costner’s absence will leave a mark. John Dutton’s gruff authority has been a cornerstone of Yellowstone since day one. But as 1923 Season 2 shows, the heart of this franchise isn’t just one man in a cowboy hat — it’s the Dutton legacy, sprawling across generations and geographies. And if Sheridan is being honest, ending Yellowstone might be less a casualty of Costner’s schedule and more a strategic move to let his other series — and the Dutton mythology — breathe.

In other words, blaming Costner might make for a clean headline, but after watching 1923 Season 2, I’m not convinced that’s the real story. Sheridan’s already proven he can pivot, and the Dutton saga is far from riding off into the sunset.