As Yellowstone’s universe continues to expand with unstoppable force, fans are now buzzing about the next major chapter: the upcoming prequel 1944. And the biggest question dominating conversations is simple yet electrifying — which unforgettable characters from 1923 might return to shape the next generation of the Dutton dynasty? Rumors and early industry whispers suggest that 1944 could bridge the emotional chasms left behind by the 1923 narrative, offering new revelations about the fates, legacies, heartbreaks, and surviving scars of the characters who once fought to defend the earliest version of the Dutton empire. With the world on the brink of World War II in 1944, every returning face from 1923 could bring emotional landmines, long-buried secrets, and generational complications that will explode into dramatic storylines. And if the show continues its tradition of high-stakes character-driven drama, viewers may be witnessing the most seamless generational transition the Yellowstone franchise has ever attempted.

At the center of this speculation stands Spencer Dutton, whose character arc in 1923 remains one of the most captivating and emotionally charged in the entire Yellowstone timeline. Many believe Spencer is almost guaranteed to have a presence in 1944, even if only through flashbacks, aged-up portrayals, or the ripple effects of decisions he made decades earlier. His wartime trauma, his impossible journey back to Montana, his passionate love with Alexandra, and his fractured relationship with his family all set the stage for rich emotional storytelling that would help define the 1944 era. If Spencer survived long enough to see 1944, fans can expect a hardened patriarch, a man aged by grief and conflict, whose wisdom and lingering wounds echo across the ranch. And if he didn’t survive? Then 1944 may open with his legacy — a child he didn’t know about, or debts he left unpaid — propelling the next generation into turmoil.

Next is Alexandra, one of the most emotionally dynamic characters in 1923. Her fiery spirit, unwavering love for Spencer, and shocking cliffhanger fate make her a top candidate for reappearance. If she and Spencer made it back to Montana together, she could easily become the matriarch who shapes the 1944 generation of Duttons with her fierce loyalty and European influence. Her unresolved storyline practically demands continuation. Whether she appears as a reigning Dutton matriarch or as a tragic figure whose absence shapes the family’s emotional landscape, Alexandra’s presence — physical or symbolic — will be essential to understanding the direction of 1944.

Another strong contender for a 1944 return is Jack Dutton, whose youthful fire and loyalty to the ranch made him one of the beating hearts of 1923. As a young man in the 1920s, Jack was fiercely devoted to the land and deeply committed to carrying the Dutton legacy into the future. If he survives the tragedies and threats surrounding the Yellowstone ranch in that era, he would be in his late 40s or early 50s by 1944 — the perfect age to serve as a central figure, potentially even the ranch’s leader. Jack’s presence could reveal how the Duttons navigated the Great Depression, how they held onto their land during economic collapse, and how they confronted the threats that were already brewing in 1923. And if Jack returns, his wife Elizabeth, though tragically impacted by miscarriage and grief, might also appear — perhaps hardened, transformed, or even haunted by the pain she carried into adulthood.

Then there’s Alexandra’s wealthy European family, who, despite seeming distant from the ranch’s conflicts, may hold long-term significance. If Alexandra maintained any connection with them, 1944 could bring international dimensions into the narrative — wartime danger, inheritance conflicts, or political entanglements that place the Duttons at the center of global drama. While this remains speculative, the Yellowstone franchise has never shied away from expanding its world through unexpected character returns.

One of the most haunting potential returns is Teonna Rainwater, whose storyline in 1923 was undeniably one of the most emotionally devastating in the franchise. If Teonna appears in 1944, viewers will see a woman in her 40s who survived unthinkable trauma and fought her way to freedom — and perhaps to becoming a matriarch of influence within the Rainwater family line. Her potential involvement in 1944 could deepen the long-standing historical connection between the Rainwaters and the Duttons, adding layers that echo into the modern-day Yellowstone storyline. The show could explore how Teonna’s courage shaped her community, how she faced the evolving political landscape of the 1930s and 1940s, and whether she crossed paths with the Duttons in ways that shaped future generations.

Banner Creighton, the villain whose feud nearly destroyed the early Duttons, might also return — but likely only to cast a long shadow. Even if he doesn’t physically appear in 1944, the consequences of his war with the family could continue through descendants, land disputes, or political power struggles. And there’s always the possibility of flashbacks revealing how the feud finally ended.

The same can be said for Donald Whitfield, the dangerously calculating industrialist whose ruthless ambition nearly cost the Duttons their ranch. Even if Whitfield himself does not appear, the empire he built and the enemies he created could still influence the 1944 storyline. His reach extended far beyond Montana, and his legacy may haunt Yellowstone well into the 1940s.

The 1944 series might also introduce children of Spencer, Jack, Elizabeth, or Teonna, bridging the emotional and generational gap between 1923 and the era leading to John Dutton Sr. and eventually John Dutton III. These new characters would carry traces of the pain, love, strength, and sacrifice of those who came before them — and their ties to the 1923 cast would give the new series an emotional backbone strong enough to support a new era.

Ultimately, what makes the speculation around 1944 so thrilling is not just the possibility of returning characters, but the promise of exploring how their wounds and triumphs shape the next major era of the Dutton empire. The world of 1944 will be darker, more dangerous, and more volatile — and the returning souls from 1923 will carry with them the ghosts of a past that refuses to die.