When Spencer Dutton (Brandon Sklenar) finally does find his way home, he won’t be returning to Montana, at least where the show’s filming location is concerned. Creator Taylor Sheridan’s Yellowstone prequel spin-off 1923, which stars Harrison Ford and Helen Mirren, will no longer be filming on-location in The Treasure State, according to the Austin Business Journal. Rather, the production is moving to the Longhorn State following the Western drama’s first go-round from December of 2022 until February of 2023.

According to the ABJ publication, Season 2 of the Paramount+ series 1923 will start shooting in the southern part of Austin, Texas. The Chief Executive of Butte-Silver Bow Government, J.P. Gallagher, said in an interview with the aforementioned Austin Business Journal (per ComicBook.com):

“The decision to film the Yellowstone series of 1923 in Texas is disappointing. Nevertheless, we respect the production team’s decision and acknowledge that these choices are influenced by factors beyond our control.”

Gallagher continued by saying:

“We were in talks with the production about 1923 coming back to Butte because of the positive experience they had here, but state tax incentive programs were a major factor for the production to move to Texas.”

1923 Creator Taylor Sheridan Is ‘a Texan and Gets Texas’

1923 Season 2 couldn’t catch a break in 2023. Both the Writers Guild of America (WGA) and the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) strikes caused delays which ultimately cost the production its contract with Butte, Montana back in July of 2023. Losing the Butte Civic Center as a sound stage was just the precursor, though, to what ultimately became 1923 leaving Montana for greener pastures.

Months before, in February 2023, the Lieutenant Governor of Texas, Dan Patrick — not to be confused with the sports personality and host — had already met with the Yellowstone franchise’s creator, Taylor Sheridan. And Patrick’s intentions were “for Taylor to move all of his TV and movie production to Texas.” And now with the report from the Austin Business Journal, it appears the Lt. Governor got his wish. Patrick wrote in a 2023 legislative session campaign update:

“I had a great dinner with Yellowstone creator Taylor Sheridan and gave him a tour of the Senate. He has incredible talent and an amazing success story. He’s the best screenwriter of our time and one of the best storytellers ever to make movies. Best yet, he’s a Texan and gets Texas. My goal is for Taylor to move all of his TV and movie production to Texas. Working together, I think we can get it done.”