Hollywood icons Helen Mirren and Harrison Ford are rewriting the rules of on-screen love in Paramount+’s hit series 1923, and fans can’t get enough. In an exclusive interview, Mirren opened up about the “unexpected” and “raw” connection her character, Cara Dutton, shares with Ford’s Jacob—a love story she calls “rare” for its grit and honesty.
“This isn’t about grand gestures or cliché happily-ever-afters,” Mirren revealed. “Cara and Jacob’s bond is forged in survival. They’re equals, partners in every sense, battling the brutality of the American West and their own vulnerabilities. That’s what makes it feel real.”
Set against the harsh backdrop of Prohibition-era Montana, 1923—a prequel to Yellowstone—has become a breakout hit, thanks in part to the electric chemistry between its legendary leads. While Ford’s stoic rancher Jacob fights to protect his family’s land, Mirren’s Cara emerges as his fiercely loyal backbone, blending tenderness with unshakable resilience.
“Harrison and I wanted their love to feel earned, not effortless,” Mirren shared. “In most stories, romance fades after the ‘I do’s.’ Here, we show what comes after—the work, the fights, the quiet moments that keep two people tied together through hell.”
Fans have praised the series for flipping tired tropes, with Cara wielding a rifle as deftly as she delivers biting one-liners. Meanwhile, Ford’s gruff yet tender portrayal of Jacob has sparked memes and TikTok tributes, with viewers dubbing them “the ultimate power couple.”
But what’s next for the Duttons? Mirren teased that season 2 will dig deeper into their past. “Their love isn’t perfect,” she hinted, “but it’s built on respect. And in a world this ruthless, that’s the closest thing to magic.”
1923 streams on Paramount+, with new episodes dropping weekly. Trust us—you’ll want to binge this “happily ever after” that’s anything but ordinary.