Taylor Sheridan’s neo-Western drama series Yellowstone was quite well-received by both fans and critics, especially after the first season. Its success paved the way for a slew of spin-offs. Created by Taylor Sheridan, the show revolves around the Duttons family who must protect their property from outsiders all while dealing with internal conflict.
Yellowstone’s first spinoff was a prequel series, 1883, starring Sam Elliot, Tim McGraw, and more. Following suit, “1923” emerged as another prequel, boasting an enviable lineup led by Harrison Ford and Helen Mirren. When it came to coming back for a second season, Harrison Ford couldn’t be more excited. However, his enthusiasm was met with a stark comment from Taylor Sheridan.
Taylor Sheridan Recalls Harrison Ford’s Comment on 1923
While in conversation with Deadline after the release of 1923, Taylor Sheridan was asked if it was difficult to get Harrison Ford and Helen Mirren to sign up for a second season. Both the actors have initially only signed on for a single season but according to Sheridan, they were eager to continue with the spinoff.
He even recalled how Ford called 1923 some of the best work he has done in the last twenty years. Sheridan didn’t seem too amused by the great compliment and jokingly asked him to name one project he had done previously that was as good as 1923.
“They were excited. They only signed on originally for one season. They were so eager to continue it…Harrison made a comment at one point, he goes, Taylor I think I’m making the best thing I’ve made in 20 years. And my response to him was, what the fu*k did you make 20 years ago as good as this? What was that? I missed that one. What was it?”
Back in February 2023, 1923 was renewed for another season and why wouldn’t it have? After all, the first season became the most-watched Paramount+ premiere of all time in America. Needless to say, Ford and Mirren will be reprising their roles as Jacob and Cara Dutton.
How Taylor Sheridan Managed to Get Harrison Ford & Helen Mirren Onboard
When Deadline asked Sheridan to spill his secrets about getting Ford to say yes to a role that was unlike anything he had done before, the creator’s answer was simple. He stated, “Truth? I called him and said come down to my ranch and he flew down. I did the same with Helen.”
Elaborating on what happened, Sheridan recalled how Ford flew down to him and asked if he could read the script, which hadn’t been written yet. However, Ford was asked to commit immediately as Sheridan needed to know the actor he would be writing for.
“He flew down. I said, we’re going to do this thing together. He goes, can I read a script? I said, you can when it’s written, but it ain’t written yet and you got to commit to it now. I need to know who I’m writing for. I’m done wondering who I’m writing for, and I have to go try to chase the person I had in my mind and I can’t get the person because they’re doing some fu*king Netflix show. I don’t do that sh*t anymore.”
He continued,
“So, are you going to do it or are you going to watch Chris Cooper do the next great thing? What do you want to do? I poured about two bottles of wine down him. He said yes. I got him on the plane as fast as I could, closed the deal and said, send me the next one.”
A similar meeting happened with Mirren through which Sheridan was able to get the actress to sign on for 1923. If persuasion was a person, it would be Sheridan!
You can stream 1923 on Paramount+.
