1883 star Isabel May reflects on her character’s journey throughout the series. The Yellowstone prequel, created by Taylor Sheridan, premiered back in 2021 and depicted an earlier generation of the Duttons. The show explored how they eventually ended up in Montana, tracking James (Tim McGraw) and Margaret (Faith Hill) as they moved their family out of Tennessee and later, Fort Worth, Texas. May portrayed their daughter Elsa Dutton, who sought freedom and provided narration for most of the series.
In a recent interview with PEOPLE, May explained how the character was shaped by everything she went through in 1883. Though Elsa faced tragedy, the actor noted that she was able to push forward and “found beauty in the world.” Read May’s comments regarding Elsa’s journey below:
“She’s someone that was faced with hardship, pain and loss, and despite all of that, still found beauty in the world around her and still found a way to live fully. It’s hard to do when everything around you is wanting to suck you into this kind of miserable role. She became a woman. It’s [the story of] a girl becoming a woman.”
What Happened To Elsa In 1883?
Very early in the show, Elsa caught the attention of several men, and escaped a terrifying encounter at one of the hotels in Forth Worth. Her relationships, both familial and romantic, were closely observed, and searching for adventure, she occasionally got herself in trouble. After Ennis was killed during a fight against bandits, Elsa appeared distraught and took immediate revenge. She eventually met and fell in love with Sam, but her fate meant that the two would never get a happy ending.
When an attack broke out in 1883’s penultimate episode titled “Racing Clouds,” the show caught up to its opening sequence, where Elsa got shot with an arrow. By the series finale, her wounds were unable to heal and though she managed to endure for a while, she died in Montana. One of the main protagonists, Elsa’s death at the end of 1883 came as a surprise to audiences, and it was a significant moment for the Yellowstone franchise.
Despite there being only one season of 1883, Elsa continues to narrate the other prequel, 1923. Because her role still exists in some capacity, and there is a level of mystery surrounding the Dutton family tree, there are theories that Elsa might have been pregnant, which would make her death even more tragic. With 1883 beginning to air on Paramount Network, those who have yet to experience Elsa’s journey, or are eager to learn more about it, can be sure to tune in as episodes are released.