After a nearly two-year wait, Taylor Sheridan’s gripping Yellowstone prequel series, 1923, returns to Paramount+ for its second season on February 23. This chapter of the Dutton family saga follows Jacob Dutton (Harrison Ford) and his wife Cara Dutton (Helen Mirren) who are the protectors of the family ranch and the guardians of John Dutton (James Badge Dale) and Spencer Dutton (Brandon Sklenar) following the deaths of 1883 protagonists James Dillard Dutton (Tim McGraw) and Margaret Dutton (Faith Hill).

In the first season saw the Duttons faced many hardships (including John’s death, Jacob’s near death, a failed siege on the Dutton ranch, and much more), but nefarious land baron Donald Whitfield (Timothy Dalton) and his right-hand man Banner Creighton (Jerome Flynn) proved to be their most daunting enemies . After Spencer finally opens Cara’s letters pleading for help in saving their legacy, Spencer races back to Montana with his new bride Alexandra (Julia Schlaepfer) in tow, only for the two to be separated during the dangerous voyage.

The Season 2 trailer picks up at a bar with Creighton asking another patron about Spencer’s identity. “He’s a war hero and a stone killer,” the man replies wryly. The next scene shows Whitfield at his luxurious home telling a group of investors about his plan to make Montana a “playground for the elite.” All that he needs is the Dutton’s land to make his vision a reality. As Whitfield travels with Creighton to spy on the Duttons, he vows: “I’ll destroy everything they’ve fought for.”

The following sequence shows Sheriff William McDowell (Robert Patrick) trying to reason with Jacob to “prevent a war” between the Duttons and Whitfield’s men. “[War] ain’t preventable. He wants to take this place from us,” growls Jacob. Meanwhile, Spencer must use his cunning and brawn to make his way from a steamliner in the Atlantic Ocean to his family’s ranch in Montana.

Then, a montage of action shows the Duttons taking up arms and fighting for their land. “Of all the things I’ve had to do for this ranch, this takes the cake,” mutters Cara as she cocks her rifle on her windowsill, ready to defend what’s hers.

Judging by the trailer, Spencer’s steely resolve to return home will be a large part of the season’s focus. Along his journey, we see him encounter US Deputy Marshall Mamie Fossett (played by series newcomer and Dexter vet Jennifer Carpenter) and a mysterious gangster (played by Days Of Our Lives vet Gilles Marini). Bloodied, Spencer is seen telling Marini’s character, “My family is in danger, my wife is lost to me, and I don’t have time.”

Will you be tuning in to see more of the Duttons’ origin story? Season 2 will be here before you know it!