SPOILER ALERT: This story contains some details from the fifth episode of1923onParamount+.
Cara got her much-awaited cable: her beloved nephew Spencer is on his way home.
Im assuming you didnt shoot those Africa scenes in the Santa Clarita Valley?
Brandon Sklenar as Spencer Dutton of the Paramount+ series 1923.Emerson Miller/Paramount+
IfTaylor Sheridanwrites it in Africa, youre going to Africa.
We had a leopard on set.
We had a lion, lots of elephants.
The animals were there.
Its a movie magic blend of real animals and CG animals and stuffies.
DEADLINE Your character shot that elephant in episode 3Did you wonder how that would go over with todays audiences?
SKLENARIt was a different time then.
His entire purpose at that point was killing things that were trying to kill him and other people.
Hes not a trophy hunter.
He doesnt feel good about it, but its a point of survival.
DEADLINE From what weve gleaned so far, Spencer suffers from PTSD from the war.
Or is there more to his woes?
SKLENARThe PTSD is definitely a big factor.
He was recruited by the government, by the protectorate, to go overseas and hunt these things post-war.
And, he wasnt feeling to hot about any of it.
DEADLINE Whats the protectorate?
The two lions that hunted all the workers on the railroads and who were building hotels.
The lions killed an exorbitant number of workers over a six, seven month span.
They would hire guys like Spencer to go in and hunt these things.
And who better to find them than one of the most decorated WW1 veterans?
DEADLINE So what was the experience like shooting in Africa?
SKLENARAll of the above.
Add a little e. coli in there.
Youre in the bush for three weeks.
Thats whats so great about Taylor.
He just puts you in it.
Youre not in Santa Clarita, going to your trailer.
DEADLINE Was Taylor out there with you?
DEADLINE What is Spencers relationship with his uncle and aunt up until he returns to Montana?
SKLENARHe loves them, especially Cara.
We have a deep relationship.
They raised Spencer and his brother.
DEADLINE Did Taylor talk to you about your lineage?
Are we going to find out that you are John Duttons dad or grandpa?
SKLENARYoull find out in due time.
DEADLINE So youre headed back on the ranch, with a slight detour in the, ahem, ocean.
Its not going to be an easy time, is it?
SKLENARIve said it before and Ill say it again, I dont think it gets easier for anybody.
Thats as much as I can say as the journey unfolds.
DEADLINE Will Alex, played by Julia Schlaepfer, settle in well in Montana?
SKLENARShes definitely got it in her.
Cara [Helen Mirren] and her will really get along.
DEADLINE And how are those horse riding skills going?
SKLENARBetter than they were when I first got to Montana.
Night and day, actually.
DEADLINE Your character is a man of few words.
Are you going to learn more about whats going on inside?
SKLENARThe layers do come off, the walls come down.
The audience and Alex will learn more about him.
DEADLINETaylor is a man of few words, too.
Whats it been like working with him?
SKLENARI have so much respect for him and Ive wanted to work with him for years.
Its kind of apinch mekind of thing that I get to work with him.
Hes very clear in his vision and he trusts you to fulfill that vision.
He also knows you are going to bring in your own bits.
Theres a lot of trust back and forth.
Its all you’ve got the option to ask for as an actor, really.
DEADLINE So I guess you cant say whether you die at the end of the season?
SKLENARSpencer is pretty resilient, but no one is off the table.
If you know Taylors writing, anything can happen at this point.
