1923’s Helen Mirren, who portrays Cara Dutton, reflects on her magical dynamic with co-star Harrison Ford, who plays her on-screen husband.
1923’s Helen Mirren explains her magical dynamic with co-star Harrison Ford. The two acting legends lead the hit Yellowstone spinoff 1923, respectively playing Cara and Jacob Dutton. The series, which serves as a sequel to 1883, is bolstered by their presence and has become popular for Paramount+. The debut episode garnered 7.4 million viewers, in both linear and streaming, which made it Paramount+’s biggest debut ever. The spinoff was confirmed to return for more episodes to conclude the show, but 1923 season 2 has since been delayed indefinitely due to the ongoing writers’ strike for fair wages.
As part of a Drama Roundtable with several other potential Emmy nominees for the Los Angeles Times, Mirren discussed working with Ford in 1923. The Oscar winner talked about working with Ford previously on another project and how they were able to pick up where they left off despite all the time that had passed. Read Mirren’s full quote or watch the interview below:
I’m working with Harrison and because I worked with Harrison before, many years ago, and it’s not like we’ve ever worked together in between, but it was amazing to come back. And, you know, none of you are really old enough to–except for maybe you, Patrick [Stewart]. But to have that experience of working with someone and then not working with them at all at all for like… 20-30 years and then suddenly finding yourself back in the pocket with them and realizing that it’s a weirdest thing that all of that time just telescopes and disappears, and you become the people.
The actors and the relationship just recreates so quickly and I do feel a sort of connection with Harrison that is natural and easy and doesn’t have to be talked about. It doesn’t have to be worked on. We don’t have to discuss anything backstory or anything. We just walk on the set, look at each other’s eyes, and off you go. It might be just the brilliance of Harrison. I don’t know. Or it might be—you know, I don’t know what it is, but it’s cool.
The Mosquito Coast: Mirren & Ford’s Other Collaboration
Before 1923, Mirren and Ford worked together in the 1986 film The Mosquito Coast. Based on the 1981 novel of the same name, the drama was directed by Johnny Weir and also starred Andre Gregory and River Phoenix. The film focuses on a family that leaves the United States in the hopes of finding a happier and simpler life in the jungles of Central America. The happiness they seek becomes a nightmare when the father’s behavior becomes increasingly erratic and aggressive.
The Mosquito Coast, which was adapted into a short-lived Apple TV+ drama, had a mixed legacy. When it first debuted, the drama garnered lackluster reviews, but since then, the movie has received a reassessment. Ford’s performance, which excels at the difficult balance of being unsettling without overplaying it, has been a specific source of praise. It ties into what Mirren mentions about her 1923 co-star’s talents during the roundtable.
In interviews, Ford has spoken openly about what drew him to 1923. Paired with his more comedic role in Shrinking, the legend’s move to the small screen has allowed him to dig into his protagonists in a patient and thoughtful way that most movies don’t have the bandwidth for. It’s likewise facilitated a fruitful reunion with Mirren, with the two showcasing material more removed from their previous tense dramatic scenes.