Why Spencer Dutton Isn’t In 1883, But He Was In Yellowstone

By Sean Morrison

Published May 13, 2025

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Image made by Yeider Chacon

Spencer Dutton (Brandon Sklenar) briefly appeared in ending of 1923 season 2 even confirmed that he was the grandfather of John Dutton III (Kevin Costner) in Yellowstone. As important as he was, however, Spencer never actually appeared in 1883, even though it followed his parents and siblings.

1883 told the story of how the Duttons got to Montana during the period of Westward expansion at the end of the 19th century. James (Tim McGraw) and Margaret Dutton (Faith Hill) brought their entire family West until they found the land that would eventually become the Yellowstone ranch. Even though 1883 was an origin story for the Duttons, it didn't include Spencer, and many fans may wonder why he wasn't in the show set just 40 years prior to 1923. What makes the whole thing more confusing is that Spencer appeared in flashbacks in Yellowstone season 4.

Why Spencer Dutton Appeared In Yellowstone But Not 1883

Spencer Wasn't Born Yet In 1883, But Yellowstone's Flashbacks Took Place In 1893

Young Spencer Dutton (Charlie Stover) in Yellowstone season 4, episode 1

Yellowstone season 4 included some flashbacks to 1883's James Dutton and his early days establishing the Yellowstone ranch. In a few of those flashbacks, James was accompanied by his sons, John I and Spencer (Charlie Stover). John I appeared in 1883 as a young child, but Spencer was noticeably absent. The simple reason Spencer was in Yellowstone season 4's flashbacks but not 1883 is that he wasn't born in time for the prequel show. Spencer was born in 1889, six years after the ending of 1883. Yellowstone season 4's flashbacks took place in 1993, making Spencer a 4-year-old boy.

Though there are two prequel shows, there are still several holes in the Yellowstone franchise's timeline, and Spencer slipped through one of them. For example, Jacob (Harrison Ford) and Cara Dutton (Helen Mirren) never appeared in 1883 either, because they came to America to help Margaret run the ranch after James's death in 1894. Spencer's absence from 1883 is just another example of how the generational story of Yellowstone and the Dutton family was constantly evolving, even in eras we've never seen on screen. The shows we get are only the most pivotal moments of that long, storied history.

Will Spencer Dutton Appear In Taylor Sheridan’s Next Yellowstone Prequel?

The Next Yellowstone Prequel Takes Place In 1944 & Spencer Was Confirmed To Live Until The 1960s

Though he didn't appear in the first Yellowstone prequel show, Spencer Dutton could easily crop up in the next one. The narration at the end of 1923 season 2 revealed that ending of 1923 even made some preparations for 1944 and Spencer's return.

Taylor Sheridan's and Potential Series and Movies	Release Dates
6666 Yellowstone spinoff	TBD
Empire of the Summer Moon	TBD
Y: Marshals Kayce Dutton spinoff	TBD
The Madison Yellowstone spinoff	TBD
Mayor of Kingstown season 4	TBD
Tulsa King season 3	TBD
Beth Dutton & Rip Wheeler Yellowstone spinoff	TBD
Landman season 2	TBD
1944 Yellowstone spinoff	TBD
Lioness season 3	Rumored

There's also a good chance that Spencer will return in other Yellowstone shows besides 1944. Since the beginning, Yellowstone frequently uses flashbacks to show important moments in the Dutton family's history, such as Evelyn Dutton's death in 1997. One of the Yellowstone spinoff shows could easily include a flashback to some of the important moments in the childhood of Spencer's son, John II. Alternatively, Sklenar could also appear in 1944 if Spencer has some memories of his time with Alexandra (Julia Schlaepfer). Either option would be a perfect way to include Spencer in more of Yellowstone after he missed out on 1883.