Sumith Prasad
A sequel to ‘1883’ and prequel to ‘Yellowstone,’ Taylor Sheridan’s Paramount+’s Western series ‘1923’ follows Jacob Dutton, the brother of James Dutton, who established the Yellowstone Dutton Ranch. The first episode of the series introduces the viewers of the ‘Yellowstone’ universe to the family of Jacob, which includes his wife Cara Dutton, his nephew John Dutton Sr., and his grand-nephew Jack Dutton. Although not a Dutton, Elizabeth Strafford remains an integral presence in the Dutton household in the show’s premiere episode. Naturally, the viewers must be eager to know more about the intriguing character. Well, here’s what we can share about her! SPOILERS AHEAD.
Who is Elizabeth Strafford?
Elizabeth Strafford is the fiancée of Jack Dutton, the son of John Dutton Sr. and Jacob’s grand-nephew. Elizabeth is a “feisty and capable young woman,” who has been waiting to marry Jack and become a Dutton. The narrative of ‘1923’ begins when Elizabeth and Jack’s wedding is on the horizon, only for Jacob to postpone the same since the family is going to the hills to feed cattle. Although Elizabeth is the daughter of a cowboy, she hasn’t yet learned the nuances of a cowboy’s life. When her wedding gets postponed, she nearly breaks up with Jack following her impulse, without realizing that his fiancé has to prioritize the well-being and survival of cattle as a rancher and cowboy.
Although Elizabeth fights with Jack, she loves him deeply. When Cara Dutton meets her to discuss the postponed wedding, she reveals how she cannot live without Jack. She eventually reunites with Jack after a brief fight with him. She also extends her respect towards Cara, even when the latter meets her as the bearer of sad news. Like a good Dutton, she knows to respect and follow the wisdom of her elders, which makes her a perfect new addition to the Dutton family. When the men of the family leave for the mountains, she joins Cara to deal with the customary separation that lasts several days.
Elizabeth loses her father Bob Strafford when Banner Creighton attacks the Duttons. When her mother Beverly Strafford arrives in the Dutton Ranch to separate her from the Duttons, Elizabeth makes it clear that she doesn’t want to leave Jack. In the fifth episode of the series, Elizabeth and Jack exchange vows and await their wedding. Michelle Randolph, who made her acting debut with her performance as Rachel in ‘House of the Witch,’ plays Elizabeth. Michelle plays Blanca Snow in ‘A Snow White Christmas,’ Brie in ‘5 Years Apart,’ Bree in ‘The Resort,’ and Amy McCleary in ‘The Undertaker’s Wife.’
Is Elizabeth Strafford Pregnant in 1923?
In the premiere episode of the show, Jacob Dutton jokes about Elizabeth being already pregnant with Jack’s child, although their wedding is yet to happen. According to Jacob, it is futile to use a calendar to find out when John Sr. and Emma could welcome a grandson while Elizabeth may give birth to Jack’s son very early. Proving Jacob’s “prophecy” right, Elizabeth indicates that she is pregnant in the fifth episode of the series. After exchanging vows with Jack, she asks Cara whether their wedding can happen soon. When Cara asks her to wait till the spring, she replies that she will not be able to wear her wedding dress in the spring.
Elizabeth is seemingly indicating that her dress will not be fit for her because she will be several months into her pregnancy term by the arrival of the spring. When she talks about the dress, Cara realizes that her great-nephew’s fiancée is pregnant with Jack’s child. It is also the reason why she insists on acquiring a marriage license that’s registered on an earlier date. Cara doesn’t want Elizabeth’s pregnancy, which happens before her and Jack’s wedding, to tarnish the reputation of the latter, Jack, and their unborn baby. Thus, the Dutton matriarch may try to acquire a license with an earlier date to shut the mouths of the gossipmongers since the document will state that Elizabeth got pregnant after her wedding.
Jack and Elizabeth’s baby is expected to be John Dutton II AKA John Dutton Jr., the father of Kevin Costner’s John Dutton III in ‘Yellowstone.’ We may see Jack honoring the life and memories of John Dutton Sr. by naming his son after his father.
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