This story contains major plot points from Sundays episode of1923on Paramount+.
DEADLINE:So is it an honor to be killed off from a Taylor Sheridan drama?
And I was likeuh, uh.I had a great time.
James Badge Dale in ‘1923’Paramount+
They were very upfront with me on what theyre looking for and what they needed.
It was a pleasure to play the role of John Dutton Sr.
DEADLINE:What was your audition like?
DALE: Ive known [casting director] John Papsidera for like 20 years.
Hes seen me in all sorts of ups and downs and lefts and rights.
He called and said, look, I think you might be the guy.
Can you make a tape for us?
Taylors just gotta see it.
I was working down in North Carolina.
I ran out at about 6 A.M. and taped in a swamp on my iPhone.
I sent it to my agents and they were like, theres no way.
Like, all you might hear are the bugs.
You cant send this.
And I was like, send it, send it.
Taylor saw it and said,thats my guy.
DEADLINE:This season came together very quickly.
Did it feel like it was going fast?
We were up against the wildfire season, which was particularly bad this year.
And then of course winter was coming.
We worked fast, but we worked safe and we tried to work smart.
DEADLINE:So what was your relationship with horses before this?
DALE:Ive said this before.
I was born in New York City.
But Taylor hires good people and Ive known these guys throughout the years.
The guy who was my riding double back onThe Lone Rangerwas one ofHarrison Fords stunt guys.
And I think thats the most important thing when youre working with animals.
The animal is the main concern on set.
DEADLINE:So what do you think Taylor was trying to establish with your character in particular?
What was the goal here in your short life?
I dont know where this goes.
Its a very epic romantic notion, how they need to get Spencer back here.
DEADLINE:What was it like working with Harrison?
DALE:You know, theres not many movie stars left.
Hes the hardest working guy there.
We had a great time riding horses together and I learned a lot from him.
And we had a lot of fun.
We do 80-hour work weeks.
You gotta have fun.
DEADLINE:So how did it go, doing that death scene?
DALE:We took three days to shoot that.
You have to really control your heartbeat and your anxiety cuz that animal is feeling everything.
Its not always easy.
When I was laying in the dirt, I was thinking like, you know?
Im leaving something in this dirt.
Im leaving something here.
Ill get on the plane.
