Originally published on 3/31/25

This story contains spoilers for 1923 season 2, episode 6. 

Jack Dutton (Darren Mann) might just be one of 1923’s most loveable characters thanks to his positive attitude, unwavering loyalty and swoon-worthy love story with Elizabeth (Michelle Randolph). Sadly though, none of that was enough to save him from dying at the hands of Banner Creighton’s (Jerome Flynn) men while trying to protect his uncle Spencer Dutton (Brandon Sklenar)—an ending that shocked everyone, including Mann. 

“I had the way I thought the show would all unfold. Jack would take over the ranch. Kevin Costner [John Dutton III in Yellowstone] would be my future grandson and Elizabeth and I would raise lots of nice cattle. But unfortunately, it didn’t go that way and I was bummed.” the actor told Woman’s World. 

To read our entire conversation with Mann and discover more about his relationship with Randolph, Harrison Ford, Helen Mirren and more, keep reading! 

Darren Mann opens up about how ‘bummed’ his death made him feel 

In season 2, episode 6 of 1923, Jack is sadly shot and killed while on his way to the train station to protect his uncle Spencer, which had viewers’ jaws on the floor since it was announced in episode 4 that he and his wife Elizabeth were going to have a baby. 

“I was sad, I was mad. I was all things when I read it, because I’d fallen in love with playing this character,” Mann revealed. “I’ve got to do it now after a few seasons. And also, with that extended writers and actors strike period, it feels like I’ve gotten to sit with this character even longer. So I definitely mourned with him.” 

And Mann is not alone in the feeling, as several viewers have shared their own depression and discontent over Jack’s death. 

“I’m kind of happy about that,” Mann joked. “Not that I want people to be sad, but it’s nice that people love Jack as much as I do.” 

The actor also shared that one of the things he loved about Jack was his huge, white, fluffy pants, which he was wearing at the time of his death. 

“They kept me so warm in the winter!” he explained. “But I also love how pure his intentions are and how he’s trying to do the right thing by the land, his family and the animals, and I think that that is such an awesome quality to have.” 

Darren Mann spills on working with Harrison Ford, Helen Mirren and more 

Most of Mann’s storyline in 1923 revolves around his character Jack working on the ranch with his great-uncle Jacob (Harrison Ford) and great-aunt Cara (Helen Mirren), as well as trying to teach his new wife, Elizabeth, the lay of the land. 

“I was very anxiously anticipating going into cowboy camp, and coming to the show, you’re always just wondering, ‘What are those big stars gonna be like?’” Mann said of Ford and Mirren. “But as soon as I met them, they were both so cool and down to earth. Not only are they great at what they do, but they’re humble people who are just regular folks who want to be treated normally. They’re not just there to show up and collect their checks. They’re there to do it to the best of their ability. And they’ve just both been such fantastic role models for me.” 

As for Randolph, Mann had worked with her before on House of the Witch in 2017, and when they reunited in Montana, he said he “was stoked.” 

“You’re always nervously anticipating who your love interest will be in the show, especially if you haven’t got to meet them yet. You’ve both been cast, and you’re just wondering who you are supposed to have the ultimate relationship with,” he noted. “I had no idea who it’s gonna be, and I will not forget opening that first call sheet for cowboy camp and I saw her name on it and went, ‘F*ck yes.’ It was nice to know everything would be good because we had done it before, it had gone well the first time and we had continued to stay friends since.” 

Inside cowboy camp: How the ‘1923’ cast became ranch-ready

As mentioned above, Mann and the rest of the cast attended a “cowboy camp” prior to filming season 1, an experience that was “such a neat way to build camaraderie before going into a job.” 

“The reason I say that is because something about getting out there, getting gritty, with your friends, with animals and earning a new, hard skill that none of you are great at, makes you all humiliated in the best way,” he reflected. “When we showed up that first day on set, and we’re supposed to be a family and we’re supposed to be love interests, it made it all feel so much easier, because we had just spent this time together getting to know one another.” 

Along with the cast, Mann also spent that time learning how to become a rancher, which he says he would “absolutely” do in real life if given the chance. 

“I love doing any of the scenes where we got to play with the animals. That’s such a bonus of working on a Western; it’s all that time you get with the animals,” Mann said. “I got to ride three different horses during the show. Cruz was my main horse and was the horse I was on when I got shot. I love that horse, and I wish I was still riding.” 

If becoming a cowboy doesn’t work, though, Mann said he would “sign up to play Jack 10 times over. I would have kept playing Jack for 10 years and if you told me I could play Jack’s son in the future, I would play that, too.” 

To learn more about our 1923 coverage, click here! Be sure to tune in to the last episode of the series on Sunday, April 6, 2025, streaming only on Paramount+.

Link to original: https://www.womansworld.com/entertainment/celebrities/darren-mann-talks-jack-duttons-death-on-1923-exclusive