Originally published on 2/23/25

The Yellowstone prequel 1923 is no stranger to covering racism, and two characters—Father Renaud (Sebastian Roché) and Zane Davis (Brian Geraghty) know so better than most. In the show, both deal with some pretty heavy topics like abuse, jail time and more, all while upholding this idea that they are doing the right thing for themselves and their people. To learn more about these characters and their motivations, Woman’s World had a one-on-two conversation with Roché and Geraghty to discuss their characters and what viewers can expect from 1923 season 2, which is available to stream starting today. Read on for more. 

Sebastian Roché on his character’s brutal motivations 

In season 1 of 1923, fans were shocked to discover that Roché’s character, Father Renaud, wasn’t all that kind. Throughout his scenes, he can be found yelling at various students at the boarding school and even goes on a tirade about how much he despises Native American culture. He also allowed people at the school to kidnap as well as physically, sexually and mentally abuse his students, all to get them to adapt to his Christian beliefs. 

It is quite horrifying to watch, and Roché knows it. 

“What’s really interesting about his choices is they’re motivated by his faith,” the actor told Woman’s World. “He abides by a set of rules that are dictated by what he believes. So, for me, that’s his main motivation.” 

“On top of that, you can see that this is a damaged character. Therefore, his position of power enables him to overstep in a way that many priests in the residential school universe do because it’s a thing that truly happened. We know about the many scandals of that, but I think that certain priests were chosen especially to be in residential schools because of that depravity.” 

Even with all that, though, Roché claims that he still tries “to find the depth and humanity of a character, however loathsome he is. 

“That’s what’s really interesting as an actor. Not trying to make him likable, but make him believable, to try and do the best job to convey what Taylor [Sheridan, the show’s creator] was trying to do with the character.” 

Roché is originally from Paris, France, and aside from his 1923 work, most people recognize him as Mickael in The Vampire Diaries and The Originals. 

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Brian Geraghty shares why his season 1 storyline hit extra close to home 

On the completely other end of the spectrum, Geraghty’s character, Zane Davis, gets arrested at the end of season 1 while trying to defend his wife, Alice, after she is arrested for violating Montana’s anti-miscegenation law. It was a moving and tender moment filled with a lot of suspense, and according to the actor, that storyline was extra special to him. 

“It’s a meaningful storyline for me because it’s actually personal in my own life,” Geraghty said. “I had the privilege to learn about that and what it would have been like or what it’s like today. And I think it mirrors, in ways, what we’re going through as a nation and what we’ll always go through, which is segregation and racism.” 

Following his arrest, Geraghty’s character was taken to Bozeman, Montana, to await trial, leaving everyone to wonder what’s going to happen next—including the actor himself. 

“Will he be able to do his job, which is work for the Duttons? And if not, what does that mean for him? If he can’t have this job anymore, who is he and where is he?” Geraghty said. 

Geraghty is 49 years old and originally from Toms River, New Jersey. 

Both actors reveal if they would ever become real cowboys 

Ever since 1923 debuted, people all over the country have been wondering if the actors would ever actually consider becoming real-life cowboys—and now we finally have our answer!

Both Geraghty and Roché said that they would love to do it, with the former saying that it would benefit his other career–writing.

“I’ve been a writer for a long time,” Roché said. “[And] I am discovering the joys of writing, Westerns and galloping in the plains of Montana.” 

Season 2 of 1923 is available to stream every Sunday on Paramount+ beginning today, February 23.

Link to original: https://www.womansworld.com/entertainment/celebrities/brian-geraghty-sebastian-roche-talk-1923-season-2