Is Elsa Dutton in 1883 Season 2?

As a prequel series to Yellowstone, 1883 captivated audiences with its dynamic storylines and compelling characters.

The storyline focused on Elsa Dutton, the daughter of Yellowstone Dutton Ranch founders James and Margaret Dutton. The Duttons travel from Texas on a wagon train out West in hopes of finding a better future.

Elsa is a free spirit who sees beauty in all things. A bit of a rebel, she isn’t afraid to fight for those she loves. Not only did 1883 focus on Elsa but she also served as the narrator of the series as well.

Many fans of the series quickly fell in love with Elsa and became eager to know what the world of Yellowstone has in store for her future. It quickly became clear that her storyline is instrumental in the founding of the Yellowstone Dutton Ranch.

So what is in store for Elsa Dutton in the Yellowstone universe? Be warned, spoilers are down below!

Is Elsa Dutton in Season 2 of 1883?

As Elsa dies in the season finale of 1883, she will not be returning for a second season. In fact, there will not be a second season of 1883 as it ends with Elsa.

Elsa’s death was vital for the plot of 1883. If she wouldn’t have died, the Dutton family wouldn’t have founded Yellowstone Dutton Ranch in Paradise Valley, Montana, Elsa’s final resting place. Instead, they would have continued their journey on the caravan all the way out to Oregon.

Elsa died from an infection after getting shot in the liver by a dirty arrow. Knowing that she didn’t have long left to live, she chose Paradise Valley as her place of burial thanks to advice from a Crow elder named Spotted Eagle.

“I know they read the scripts, but they don’t read scripts, so when they read the last episode of 1883, I don’t think they digested what had just happened, even though I made it quite clear from the very beginning,” said show creator Taylor Sheridan in regards to Paramount executives.

“The story I heard is Bob Bakish [President and Chief Executive Officer of Paramount] watched it and said, ‘wait a minute, she dies! They all die? What do we do in Season 2?’ I said, there is no Season 2. They’re like, there better be a fu**ing Season 2 because we already picked it up. I’m sitting here going, guys everyone is dead,” Sheridan continued.

1923 Continues the Dutton’s Story After 1883

While there is no season 2 of 1883, the story of the Dutton family continues with the series 1923. 1923 takes place 40 years after the events of 1883.

“Everyone is dead. I don’t know how to write the next season of this damn thing [1883] but I kept hunting history, and I kept finding things,” Sheridan said in an interview with Deadline.

“It’s the one great thing about the Dutton family; you can skip generations and put them in all these unique situations, and it has nothing to do with Yellowstone, nothing to do with 1883 and yet it’s tethered completely to them, but they’re all standalones,” continued Sheridan.

1923 follows Jacob, brother of founder James, and his wife Cara as they run the Yellowstone Dutton Ranch during the ever-changing times of the early 20th century. The Duttons deal with drought, cattle theft, growing cities, and lawlessness while trying to keep their cattle ranch afloat.

Did Elsa Narrate 1923?

Those who watched Yellowstone prequel 1923 might have recognized a familiar voice narrating the series. Though her character is deceased, Elsa continues to narrate the story of the Duttons in 1923.

Elsa’s narrations fill in the gaps between the time of 1883 and 1923. She tells the viewers of the struggles the Duttons have endured over the years to keep their ranch in the family name.

Who Plays Elsa Dutton in 1883?

Elsa Dutton is played by American actress Isabel May. May was born on November 21, 2000, in Santa Monica, California.

May is best known for her work in Alexa & Katie (2018-2020), Young Sheldon (2018-2020), 1883 (2021-2022), I Want You Back (2022), and 1923 (2022-present). She has an estimated net worth of $400,000.