1883‘s cast is set to impress, with audience anticipation hinging on Sam Elliott’s Shea Brennan. But who of the main cast will make it through the first season to become series regulars?
The wait is almost over, and the first Yellowstone spinoff is right around the corner. Fans have been dreaming of a period correct Western set in this world for years. But with such times comes much, much blood and death. As a result, Outsider has one character pegged as the most likely to die in 1883 Season 1.
Right off the bat, however, it’s pertinent to answer who won’t be dying in Season 1. From everything we know about 1883, the character with the safest fate is Isabel May’s Elsa Dutton. This Dutton daughter will serve as the series’ narrator; delivering much of the vantage point for audiences alongside her father, Tim McGraw’s James Dutton.
The tiny son of James and Margaret (Faith Hill), John Dutton, is also a sure bet to survive. He’ll be the one to carry on his family’s name – and that long-running JD name – into the 20th century. Hopefully, Hill’s Margaret is as safe, too. But we all know how Dutton mothers typically fare in the Yellowstone universe. And we’ve only seen a few fleeting glimpses of Margaret (screaming for dear life) ahead of the premiere.
So Who Will Be Kicking the Ol’ Bucket on ‘1883,’ Then?
If anyone in the main cast is to be lost in the first season – we hate to say this, but it’s going to be Shea Brennan.
“But wait!” you may currently be screaming at this article. “That’s Sam Elliott’s character! Surely they wouldn’t kill their biggest draw for the series?”
While the Outsider team would love to think this, too, there’s a couple of factors that have us feeling otherwise:
- Elliott’s elder guardian character fits the “Master Who Dies” tripe to a tee. He’s tough, grizzled, and ready to impart all the wisdom. But once this initial role is fulfilled, his death is 99% guaranteed to push the pupils he leaves behind on to greatness. Don’t believe us? Just ask Gandalf the Grey, Obi-Wan Kenobi, or Spider-Man’s dear old Uncle Ben.
- Sometimes, a high-profile, high-draw actor like Sam Elliott will be brought in to bring audiences into a new show on namesake/marquee value alone. The hope/goal is to get audiences hooked on the story regardless of their presence, and have them continue on after their absence. It’s a bait and switch, sure, but one Shea Brennan’s “tragic, kind but tough” character feels written for.
Through the 1883 footage we’ve seen of Brennan so far, he feels as tender-hearted as he is rough around the edges. His tragic backstory, too, has us feeling he won’t be around for the long haul. And if he doesn’t kick the bucket in Season 1, we’d absolutely expect it by Season 2. Think of how heartbroken we’ll all be and, well, there’s your answer.
We’ll find out as 1883‘s premiere season plays out starting December 19, only on Paramount Plus.
