Brandon Sklenar

Brandon Sklenar plays Spencer Dutton in 1923, the Yellowstone prequel created by Taylor Sheridan. His film work includes Mapplethorpe, Midway and It Ends with Us.

Spencer is introduced working as a hunter in Africa after serving in the First World War. Sklenar makes him look at home with immediate danger and much less comfortable with ordinary life. That reserve gives the character more interest than physical competence alone would provide.

His scenes with Julia Schlaepfer, as Alexandra, bring out a different side of the performance. Their exchanges have room for humour and curiosity, and Sklenar allows the guarded manner to shift without making the change feel abrupt. The attraction is convincing because the two people seem interested in each other.

It is a demanding part of the series to hold together: Spencer's world is far from the Montana ranch, and the tone often moves towards romantic adventure. Sklenar gives it a clear centre. My 1923 review covers both seasons without revealing where that story leads.