1923 season 2, starring Harrison Ford and Helen Mirren, resumes filming in Montana after delays, promising a star-studded return.

Harrison Ford has played Indiana Jones, Han Solo, and a grumpy president who probably wanted to punch a hurricane. In 1923, he plays Jacob Dutton, a man who looks at the Great Depression and says, 'Hold my whiskey.' Opposite him, Helen Mirren's Cara Dutton could intimidate a grizzly bear into doing the dishes. So when news broke that 1923 season 2 was finally returning to Montana after a production setback, the only reasonable reaction was: what took so long? 🤠

The Yellowstone prequel, led by Ford and Mirren, began filming its strike-delayed second season in July. Now, NBC Montana confirms that the upcoming episodes will shoot some scenes in Butte, Montana. Even though most of the filming so far has happened in Austin, Texas, production is moving up to Montana next month. Filming is expected to last about a month, using a ranch, the Civic Center, and a couple of spots in Uptown Butte. The plan is to start somewhere between the middle and late October. Because nothing says 'prestige television' like a crew trying to keep Harrison Ford's hat from blowing into a Montana gust. 🐎

At a predicted cost of $30 to $35 million per episode, 1923 season 1 already filmed several scenes in Butte as a stand-in for Montana. The show also had a global flair, with scenes shot in Malta, Kenya, Tanzania, and South Africa. Returning to Butte ensures some level of filming continuity when the show comes back. Who needs a green screen when you have actual mountains, actual dirt, and actual weather that hates you?

The Cast Gets a Little More Crowded

Following the end of 1923 season 1, in which Cara and Jacob made a difficult decision regarding their ranch, season 2 has added a trio of actors. Augustus Prew, who played Médhor in Prime Video's Lord of the Rings series, will recur as a dapper British man named Paul. He joins fellow recurring actors Jennifer Carpenter and Janet Montgomery, both new additions to the series. Because apparently, the Duttons didn't have enough problems. Now there's a dapper British man named Paul. What's next, a jazz band? 🎷

The prequel, executive produced and created by Taylor Sheridan, is entering a new phase of storytelling as Cara and Jacob face a difficult new reality. Despite the time off between seasons, the wait should be worth it considering the positive reception to season 1 and all of the talent involved. Although the wait for more episodes may take some time, there will be a lot to pick up on when 1923 finally returns.

Release Date? In 2026, That Question Is Answered

At the time of this production update, 1923 season 2 did not have a release date or even a release window announced. But given the filming update, and considering the time it would take to promote the show's return after a long delay, the prequel likely wouldn't be back with new episodes until 2025. Fast-forward to 2026: the second season has already aired, the dust has settled, and viewers have had plenty of time to argue about every decision the Duttons made. So if you're reading this in the future—hello from the past—you can stop refreshing Paramount+ like it's a stock ticker. 📺

Quick Fact	Detail
Show	1923
Network	Paramount+
Showrunner	Taylor Sheridan
Main Cast	Harrison Ford, Helen Mirren
New Recurring Cast	Augustus Prew, Jennifer Carpenter, Janet Montgomery
Filming Locations	Butte, Montana; Austin, Texas; plus previous global locations
Reported Cost	$30–$35 million per episode
Release	Season 2 arrived in 2025

So what does all this mean for the Yellowstone franchise? It means Taylor Sheridan's cinematic universe keeps expanding faster than a bison herd on open range. It means Harrison Ford can still make a cowboy hat look like a constitutional amendment. And it means Montana gets to play itself again, which is always a win for a state that already has more scenery than most countries. Will the Duttons ever catch a break? Of course not. That's the whole point. But at least they'll suffer in beautiful, photogenic locations. And honestly, isn't that what prestige Western drama is for? 💥

Source: NBC Montana

According to coverage from Eurogamer, big-budget productions and franchise entries often hinge on practical constraints—scheduling, location logistics, and long-tail marketing cycles—so it’s no surprise that 1923 season 2’s return to Montana reads like a “back to authenticity” move after extended time filming elsewhere. With Butte standing in for the rugged, lived-in texture the series sells best, the shift underscores how real-world settings can function like a production asset: grounding the story’s scale, supporting visual continuity, and reinforcing the Yellowstone brand’s promise of sweeping, tactile Americana even amid delays.