“1923” Star Julia Schlaepfer Shares How Harrison Ford Helped Comfort Her During An Emotional Day On Set
Spoilers Ahead For The Devastating Season 2 Finale Of 1923 And Earlier Episodes
In the second season of 1923, the prequel to Yellowstone, viewers were taken on a devastating emotional rollercoaster, especially during the tragic finale where Alex Dutton, portrayed by Julia Schlaepfer, meets her untimely end. As her character struggles to survive and reunite with her love, Spencer, only to face a heartbreaking fate, Schlaepfer shares how her co-star, Harrison Ford, helped support her during one of the most emotional days on set.
The season followed Spencer and Alex’s separate journeys to make it back to each other, but things took a tragic turn when Alex, pregnant and enduring a grueling journey overseas, faces life-threatening frostbite. The doctors inform her that amputation of her limbs may be the only way to save her life, but Alex, unable to picture herself caring for her newborn with such limitations, decides against the surgery. She dies in Spencer’s arms, leaving him to raise their son alone.
While the loss of Alex’s character was devastating to both the audience and Schlaepfer herself, she also fondly reflects on her time filming with Harrison Ford, especially during the emotionally intense birth scene in the finale. Schlaepfer shared that the first day she worked alongside Ford was one of her most memorable on set. Despite not having scenes together earlier in the series, she and Ford shared a powerful and emotionally charged day filming her character’s final moments.
“I was exhausted and super emotional and just kind of worn out,” Schlaepfer recalled. It was a challenging day, and Ford, knowing how to provide support, stepped in as a comforting, fatherly presence—just like Jacob Dutton is to Alex. “He just gave me the floor. He took such good care of me that day. He was a fatherly presence for me in that moment like Jacob is for Alex, and I didn’t realize I needed it,” Schlaepfer said. Ford checked in on her, made sure she was okay, and even cracked a joke when things got too heavy.
Their shared grief was palpable as they filmed together, with Schlaepfer admitting that they ended up “staring at each other and cried for a while” after finishing the scene. Ford’s supportive presence helped Schlaepfer navigate one of the most emotional scenes of her career, and it’s clear that his guidance and kindness made all the difference during that difficult day.
For Schlaepfer, playing Alex was an unforgettable experience, and she admits that a part of her died with her character. “It’s wild because it is so devastating,” she told Variety. “We have been with these characters for three years, so really when Alex dies, a chunk of me dies with her. But it was the greatest honor of all time to get to bring that character to life, and I love her so much. It’s just really heartbreaking.”
As fans of 1923 reflect on the emotional journey of Spencer and Alex, Schlaepfer’s behind-the-scenes story offers a glimpse into the supportive bond between the cast and the emotional toll of bringing such a heart-wrenching storyline to life. While Alex’s death left viewers devastated, Schlaepfer’s connection with Ford and the entire cast is a reminder of the deep relationships formed on set during the making of this unforgettable series.
