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When we dive into storytelling, especially when it comes to the weighty tapestry of American history, it’s tempting to gloss over the tough stuff, to paint everything with a shiny, sugar-coated brush. But then, there’s Taylor Sheridan—a man who doesn’t shy away from the bitter, the painful, and the uncomfortable.

Sure, he’s earned his stripes with Yellowstone, but it’s his unflinching, gut-punching portrayal of America’s history in 1923 that really digs in deep, grabs you by the collar, and won’t let go.

Taylor Sheridan in Yellowstone | Credits: Paramount

If Yellowstone is Sheridan’s crowning glory, then 1923 is his unvarnished masterpiece, the kind of truth-telling that knocks you sideways. It pulls no punches, peeling back the layers of history we’d rather forget, shining a light on the dark corners we’ve conveniently swept under the rug.

The violence, the forced assimilation, and the...

Editor's note: The below contains spoilers for 1923.The Yellowstone prequel spinoff, 1923, features a shockingly authentic depiction of forced assimilation programs initiated by western settlers and Christian missionaries. In the pilot episode of 1923, viewers witness Teonna (Aminah Nieves) being repeatedly hit by a wooden ruler by Sister Mary O'Connor (Jennifer Ehle) for failing to remember the exact procedure of making soap in class. In retaliation, the provoked student pins her assaulter to the ground, punching her in the face again and again as the class watches dumbstruck in horror. When the matter is brought to the attention of Father Renaud (Sebastian Roché), he punishes both of them for betraying the foundational beliefs upon which the Catholic boarding school was built.

The 1923 series premiere featured the most brutal depiction of the oppression of Indigenous peoples the franchise has ever shown. The plight of Native Americans has always been a major plot point in Taylor Sheridan‘s Western dramas, but 1923 is taking a deeper dive into that plight through the inclusion of a residential boarding school at which Aminah Nieves‘s Teonna Rainwater is a student, and Jennifer Ehle‘s Sister Mary O’Connor is a teacher. From the years 1819 to 1969, thousands of Native American children were abducted by government agents and placed in government-funded, church-run boarding schools where they were compelled to change their names, starved, and abused when using their native languages, and in many cases, were killed (Canada has a similarly dark history). Nieves’s Teonna was a teenage student at the School for American Indians in Montana in 1923. Sister Mary physically abuses her for answering prompts incorrectly during classes,...

1923, the highly-anticipated Yellowstone prequel, hits Paramount+ this Sunday with plenty of buzz about its setting and characters. With an enviable cast led by Harrison Ford and Helen Mirren, the next entry into Taylor Sheridan's expanded universe is certain to build on the success experienced by last year's 1883. The new series is set 40 years after the death of James Dutton in the 1883 finale, and it opens with Dutton Ranch in the capable hands of his brother Jacob (Ford) and Jacob's wife Cara (Mirren).

Not all is well on the homefront, however, as 1923 is full of threats from outside and in that endanger the Dutton family's livelihood—and sometimes their lives too. The story primarily focuses on interactions between Dutton family members and the settlers of the surrounding land, as well as the Indigenous communities that have been displaced through colonization. Aminah Nieves plays Teonna Rainwater, a young Native woman trapped...

Harrison Ford and Helen Mirren take the wheel of “Yellowstone’s” famed Dutton ranch in first-look photos of “1923,” the highly anticipated “Yellowstone” spin-off.

The new spin-off, which debuts Dec. 18 exclusively on Paramount+, “will explore the early 20th century when pandemics, historic drought, the end of Prohibition and the Great Depression all plague the Mountain West and the Duttons who call it home,” according to the official synopsis.

“1923,” which hails from “Yellowstone” creator Taylor Sheridan, builds on the existing universe by introducing a new matriarch and patriarch who guide the ranch through the tumultuous decade.

Harrison Ford and Helen Mirren star in “1923” (Paramount+)

Taking place 40 years after predecessor series “1883,” the spin-off builds on the legacy left by James and Margaret Dutton as they settled their family in the Montana territory.

Though it is unknown what fate followed James and Margaret, James’s brother, Jacob (played by Ford) and his wife, Cara...

Jennifer Ehle is the latest addition to the cast of the “Yellowstone” prequel series “1923” at Paramount+, Variety has learned.

Per the official description, the series “will introduce a new generation of the Dutton family and explore the early twentieth century when pandemics, historic drought, the end of Prohibition, and the Great Depression all plague the mountain west, and the Duttons who call it home.”

Ehle will play Sister Mary O’Connor, an Irish nun that teaches at the School For American Indians in Montana. She joins previously announced cast member Harrison Ford, Helen Mirren, Brandon Sklenar, Darren Mann, Michelle Randolph, James Badge Dale, Marley Shelton, Brian Geraghty, Aminah Nieves, Julia Schlaepfer, and Jerome Flynn.

This is the latest TV role Ehle has booked. She is also slated to appear in the upcoming Amazon series adaptation of the David Cronenberg film “Dead Ringers.” Most recently, she starred in the horror film “Saint Maud.

A friend, a confidante, a shoulder to cry on. Someone who brought a welcome dose of levity when things got heavy. Mary O'Connor was many things to Kendra Wilkinson. Now, the former star of The Girls Next Door has written down her fond memories of Playboy founder Hugh Hefner's longtime secretary - who died last weekend - in a heartfelt post on her website. "I'm devastated to hear about the passing of Mary O'Connor," she writes. "She was almost like a therapist because we could talk to her about anything. When I lived at the mansion I was very close with her.

Kendra Wilkinson has paid tribute to Hugh Hefner's late secretary Mary O'Connor. O'Connor, who appeared alongside Wilkinson on E!'s The Girls Next Door, passed away after a "short illness" on Sunday (January 27) at the age of 84. Wilkinson took to her blog yesterday to pay tribute to O'Connor, admitting that she is "devastated" about her death. "Some of you probably recognise her as Hef's secretary from The Girls Next Door," she wrote. "But Mary was a lot more than that to those who knew her. Mary worked at the Playboy Mansion for more than 40 years and was like the mansion mom." Wilkinson continued: "She was almost like a therapist (more)...

Kendra Wilkinson is devastated following the death of Hugh Hefner's long-time secretary Mary O'Connor. The former 'The Girls Next Door' star and glamour model penned a touching obituary about the Playboy 'mansion mom', who passed away last weekend after ongoing health issues and said she 'wouldn't be the person I am without her'. The 26-year-old mother-of-one opened up about her grief on her blog on Wednesday (30.01.13), writing: 'I'm devastated to hear about the passing of Mary O'Connor. Some of you probably recognise her as Hef's secretary from 'The Girls Next Door.' But Mary was a lot more than that to those who knew her. Mary worked at the Playboy Mansion for more than 40 years and was like the...

Kendra Wilkinson is devastated following the death of Hugh Hefner's long-time secretary Mary O'Connor. The former 'The Girls Next Door' star and glamour model penned a touching obituary about the Playboy ''mansion mom'', who passed away last weekend after ongoing health issues and said she ''wouldn't be the person I am without her''. The 26-year-old mother-of-one opened up about her grief on her blog on Wednesday (30.01.13), writing: ''I'm devastated to hear about the passing of Mary O'Connor. Some of you probably recognise her as Hef's secretary from 'The Girls Next Door.' But Mary was a lot more than that to...

Kendra Wilkinson-Baskett will never forget Mary O'Connor. The loss of Hugh Hefner's longtime secretary and friend hit those who were closest to her very hard, especially some of the Playmates that spent quality time with her in the Playboy Mansion.  And although Kendra already tweeted out her condolences, she wanted to reflect on her relationship with Mary in more depth on her website. "I'm devastated to hear about the passing of  Mary O'Connor," she wrote. "Some of you probably recognize her as Hef's secretary from The Girls Next Door. But Mary was a lot more than that to those who knew her. Mary worked at the Playboy Mansion for more than 40 years and was like...

As fans flock to Facebook to share their condolences over the death of Hugh Hefner's longtime secretary, Mary O'Connor, former Girls Next Door star Kendra Wilkinson is also paying tribute to the beloved Playboy housemother. On Wednesday, Jan. 30, Hef's ex-girlfriend honored O'Connor with a moving blog post entitled "I'll Always Remember You, Mary," in which she reminisces about their time together. "I'm devastated to hear about the passing of Mary O'Connor," Wilkinson begins. "Some of you probably recognize her as Hef's secretary from The Girls Next [...]...

Hugh Hefner is mourning the death of Mary O'Connor, his longtime secretary at the Playboy mansion. The Playboy mogul, 86, announced the sad news of O'Connor's passing on Twitter Sunday, Jan. 27. She was 84 years old. "Mary passed away today. We loved her more than words can say," Hefner wrote. A source tells Us Weekly that Hefner is "devastated" over O'Connor's death. The two worked closely together for over 40 years, and O'Connor even made appearances on his hit E! show, The Girls Next Door. "Hef and [...]...

Hugh Hefner's secretary of over 40 years has died. Mary O'Connor, who appeared in reality show 'The Girls Next Door', passed away this weekend due ongoing health issues and Hugh, 86, is finding it 'extremely hard' to come to terms with her death, TMZ reports. The Playboy magazine mogul tweeted on Sunday (27.01.13): 'Mary passed away today. We loved her more than words can say (sic)' Hugh's wife Crystal Harris, 26, also took to her Twitter account to pay tribute to Mary, saying: 'Hef's long time secretary & my dear friend Mary O'Connor has passed away. It's a very sad day here at the Playboy Mansion. We love you Mary (sic)' His ex-girlfriend and 'The Girls Next Door' star Kendra...

Hugh Hefner's secretary of over 40 years has died. Mary O'Connor, who appeared in reality show 'The Girls Next Door', passed away this weekend due ongoing health issues and Hugh, 86, is finding it ''extremely hard'' to come to terms with her death, TMZ reports. The Playboy magazine mogul tweeted on Sunday (27.01.13): ''Mary passed away today. We loved her more than words can say (sic)'' Hugh's wife Crystal Harris, 26, also took to her Twitter account to pay tribute to Mary, saying: ''Hef's long time secretary & my dear friend Mary O'Connor has passed away. It's a very sad day here at...

She was a housemother and kind heart to countless bunnies, and a warm and wise Playboy Mansion fixture. And now, sadly, Hugh Hefner's longstanding secretary and 40-year confidante, Mary O'Connor, has died.

Hefner, 86, Tweeted the news of her passing to his Playboy family late Sunday night.

"Mary passed away today. We loved her more than words could say," he wrote of the woman who, by some accounts, marked one of his longest female relationships.

O'Connor, who had been by Hefner's side through more than four decades and three marriages and had counseled dozens of aspiring bunnies who lived at his California mansion,...

She was a housemother and kind heart to countless bunnies, and a warm and wise Playboy Mansion fixture. And now, sadly, Hugh Hefner's longstanding secretary and 40-year confidante, Mary O'Connor, has died. Hefner, 86, Tweeted the news of her passing to his Playboy family late Sunday night. "Mary passed away today. We loved her more than words could say," he wrote of the woman who, by some accounts, marked one of his longest female relationships. O'Connor, who had been by Hefner's side through more than four decades and three marriages and had counseled dozens of aspiring bunnies who lived at his California mansion,...

It was a sad weekend at the Playboy mansion -- Mary O'Conner passed away on Sunday. Hugh Hefner announced the unfortunate news via twitter writing, "Mary passed away today. We loved her more than words can say." The former Playboy secretary worked with Hef for nearly 40 years, and made her small screen debut on "The Girls Next Door" alongside his then-girlfriends, Kendra Wilkinson, Holly Madison and Bridget Marquardt. The ladies also took to twitter to share their sentiments. "Rip Mary O'Connor. She was an amazing person who helped me through so much. But I know she's happy with her boo Captain Bob. :)," Kendra posted. Bridget also tweeted, "Mary O'Connor will be missed. #RIPMary," and Holly posted, "Rest in Peace Mary."Aside from acting as the 86-year-old's friend and confidant, Hefner also credited his former secretary with reuniting him and his now-wife, Crystal Harris after the two infamously called off...

Mary O'Connor -- Hugh Hefner's loveable secretary/den-mother who was featured on "Girls Next Door" -- passed away this weekend ... after working at the mansion for more than 40 years. Hefner tweeted the bad news Sunday ... saying, "Mary passed away today. We loved her more than words can say."Sources at Playboy tell TMZ ... Mary -- who was reportedly in her 80s -- had been dealing with some health issues recently ... but Hef is still taking the death "extremely hard.

Heavy hearts are aplenty at the Playboy Mansion today. Hugh Hefner's longtime secretary Mary O'Connor has died, the Playboy boss announced via Twitter on Sunday, Jan. 27. "Mary passed away today. We loved her more than words can say," the Hef tweeted to his nearly 1,300,000 followers. O'Connor, who worked with Hefner for more than 40 years, was a familiar face to fans of E!'s hit show The Girls Next Door. The three former stars -- and Hefner's then-girlfriends -- all similarly took to Twitter to share their [...]...

It's a sad day at the Playboy mansion.  Hugh Hefner's longest relationship is now over: His secretary of over 40 years and the mansion's housemother, Mary O'Connor, has died.  "Mary passed away today. We loved her more than words can say," Hef tweeted.  The Girls Next Door stars Holly Madison, Kendra Wilkinson-Baskett and Bridget Marquardt all took to Twitter to give their condolences, along with Hef's new wife, Crystal Harris.  Holly wrote, "Rest In Peace Mary." While Kendra tweeted, "Rip Mary O'Connor. She was an amazing person who helped me through so much. But I know she's happy with her boo...

Playboy and pickles, that sounds about right.  The very pregnant Kendra Wilkinson had her baby shower recently, and it was more of a surprise for us when we saw her toting a jar of pickles around.  We can guess that she's been craving them, but all other logic regarding that fails me right now.

Anyway, in attendance were, of course, her Girls Next Door co-stars.  Bridget Marquardt and Holly Madison threw her the baby shower, which was held the other night at the home of Playboy Mansion secretary Mary O'Connor.  Kendra's former flame, the recently divorced Hugh Hefner was also present, accompanied by those Shannon twins on both arms.

It was a Girls Next Door reunion on Wednesday for Holly Madison and Bridget Marquardt, who treated their pregnant pal Kendra Wilkinson to a baby shower."Kendra was really excited about the shower. It wasn't a surprise or anything so she was really looking forward to it," says a source. "She was so happy." Wilkinson, 24, the star of the Girls spin-off Kendra, is in town visiting for the week from her new East Coast home. She was "so excited to see her good to see her friends," says the source. "It was just so nice for her to have everyone in the same place.

Having granted his blessing to girlfriend Holly Madison's moving out of the Playboy Mansion last month, grand old man Hugh Hefner is now saying he's "down in the dumps" about their breakup. "If Holly says it's over, I guess it's over," Hefner, 82, tells the Associated Press about the status of his relationship with the 28-year-old star, who, along with Kendra Wilkinson and Bridget Marquardt, stars in The Girls Next Door. "She's still here in the house," says Hefner. "Until a few days ago, we were still sharing the same bed." The Playboy magazine founder confirms that the split came...