Alexandra’s Royal Connection in 1923 Season 2 Explained

Nivedita Dubey
March 4, 2025

Key Points:

Alexandra Dutton was once engaged to Arthur, the Earl of Sussex, linking her to the British royal family.
Alexandra abandoned her aristocratic ties to follow Spencer Dutton, altering her destiny and social standing.
Her royal legacy creates major challenges in 1923 Season 2 as she navigates family honor, blacklisting, and personal sacrifice.

1923 introduces viewers to a complex narrative where Alexandra Dutton’s aristocratic past collides with the rugged life of Spencer Dutton. The series reveals that her former engagement to Arthur, the Earl of Sussex, connected her to the British royal lineage. In Season 2, this legacy fuels tension and personal sacrifice as Alexandra faces the repercussions of her choices while striving for a future with Spencer.

Alexandra’s Royal Connection in 1923

1923 Season 1 set the stage for a dramatic intertwining of love, legacy, and duty. Early in the season, viewers witness a chance encounter in a Nairobi hotel where Alexandra Dutton (portrayed by Julia Schlaepfer) meets Spencer Dutton (played by Brandon Sklenar). During this encounter, which occurs shortly after the tragic death of Kagiso (portrayed by Raymond Watanga), Alexandra is dared by her friends to determine if the distinguished American hunter is indeed the famed Spencer Dutton. Their brief yet intense meeting in the hotel bar hints at an unexpected connection that transcends social classes and royal boundaries.

After this pivotal encounter, Alexandra finds herself captivated by Spencer. Despite her prior commitment to Arthur (interpreted by Rafe Soule), her feelings compel her to leave behind the comfortable confines of aristocracy. In a bold move, she follows Spencer to Tanganyika, leaving her engagement—and with it, the promise of becoming the next Countess of Sussex—in her wake. This decision not only alters her personal destiny but also sets off a chain of events that reverberate throughout the narrative.

In the finale of Season 1, it is revealed that Alexandra’s engagement to Arthur tied her to the British royal crown. Her former fiancé, who held the esteemed title of the Earl of Sussex, is central to this connection. The narrative details a dramatic duel between Spencer and Arthur when Arthur challenges Spencer following the revelation of their relationship. The tension reaches its peak when Spencer throws Arthur off the ship—a moment that cements Alexandra’s break with her aristocratic past and underscores the gravity of her decision.

This dramatic act not only severs Alexandra from her former title but also triggers a royal backlash. It is disclosed in Season 2, Episode 1 that Alexandra’s family has been blacklisted by the British royals as a consequence of her actions. When a friend visits, Alexandra explains to Jennifer (portrayed by Jo Ellen Pellman) that Arthur has banned her family from London—a painful reminder of the high cost of her choices. This revelation transforms her personal history into a critical plot point that influences her character arc throughout Season 2.

The historical context further enriches this narrative. The title Earl of Sussex carries significant historical weight, having been held in the past by figures such as Prince Arthur, Queen Victoria’s son. Although there was no active Countess of Sussex in 1923 due to the passing of Princess Louise Margaret of Prussia, who was the Duchess of Connaught and Strathearn, the series borrows from this royal heritage to construct a believable backstory. Alexandra’s engagement to Arthur would have bestowed upon her a noble title and a life entrenched in royal tradition—a stark contrast to the rugged existence she now embraces with Spencer Dutton.

The decision to leave her engagement signifies more than just a romantic choice; it represents a deliberate renunciation of a life governed by royal protocol. Alexandra’s subsequent actions, including her choice to pursue a relationship with Spencer, highlight the internal conflict between duty and desire. Her willingness to forgo the security and status associated with the British crown in favor of love and freedom is a recurring theme that challenges traditional notions of honor and legacy.

1923 Season 2 Impact

In Season 2 of 1923, Alexandra’s royal connections come to the forefront as a central element of her evolving storyline. Returning to England, she is confronted with the consequences of her earlier choices. The series reveals that her family has been officially blacklisted by the British royal establishment—a punishment for her abandonment of an engagement to the Earl of Sussex and her subsequent union with Spencer Dutton. This blacklisting not only affects her social standing but also has a profound impact on her personal and familial relationships.

In one of the early episodes of Season 2, a close friend visits Alexandra, prompting her to candidly explain that Arthur has banned her entire family from London. This revelation is delivered with a tone that underscores the seriousness of her situation. She refers to her arranged marriage with Spencer as a “real estate transaction,” a term that hints at the transactional nature of noble alliances in her past. This blunt characterization encapsulates the underlying tension between her former life of aristocratic obligations and her current pursuit of genuine emotional connection with Spencer.

The repercussions of her royal ties extend beyond social ostracism. Alexandra is forced to grapple with the loss of the privileges and security that once defined her existence. The narrative suggests that her decision to forsake her noble title has left her with little recourse within the rigid structures of the British aristocracy. In a series of poignant scenes, she is shown attempting to amass funds and secure passage to Montana, where she plans to reunite with Spencer and build a life unburdened by the expectations of royalty.

Her struggle is compounded by the stark contrast between the values of her past and those of her new life. On one hand, she is burdened by a legacy of privilege and duty—a legacy that demands conformity and adherence to established social hierarchies. On the other hand, her new reality with Spencer is marked by rugged individualism and the raw pursuit of personal freedom. The narrative deftly captures this internal conflict, portraying Alexandra as a character caught between two worlds. Her royal background, once a source of power and prestige, now serves as a barrier that isolates her from both her former peers and her current community.

Historical references further illuminate this conflict. The title Earl of Sussex has oscillated through history, and its legacy is intertwined with the storied past of British royalty. The series draws on these historical elements, referencing Prince Arthur, Queen Victoria’s son, who once held the title in the 19th century. Although the timeline of 1923 does not perfectly align with historical records—since there was no official Countess of Sussex at that time—the use of these royal references lends authenticity to Alexandra’s character arc. By invoking the legacy of a once-prominent title, the series underscores the magnitude of Alexandra’s sacrifice.

Furthermore, the dramatic duel in Season 1, where Spencer is forced to confront Arthur, remains a powerful symbol in Season 2. The incident, which led to Arthur being thrown off a ship, is revisited as a catalyst for Alexandra’s fall from grace. The duel not only marks the end of her association with the royal family but also sets in motion the chain of events that result in her family being blacklisted. This blacklisting, in turn, isolates her from the very institutions that once defined her identity.

The impact of these events is felt deeply in Alexandra’s interactions throughout Season 2. Her conversations with close confidantes, including her friend Jennifer (played by Jo Ellen Pellman), are laced with regret and resolve. In these moments, Alexandra reveals the high cost of her choices—not just in terms of lost status, but in the emotional toll of severing ties with a family steeped in royal tradition. The viewer is presented with a character who is both defiant and vulnerable, determined to forge a new path while haunted by the weight of her past.

To better illustrate these complex relationships and pivotal moments, the table below summarizes the key elements of Alexandra’s royal connection:

Character/Element	Portrayed/Referenced By	Royal Connection/Key Fact
Alexandra Dutton	Julia Schlaepfer	Formerly engaged to Arthur, the Earl of Sussex; her decision to leave royalty has major consequences.
Spencer Dutton	Brandon Sklenar	American hunter who becomes Alexandra’s partner, catalyzing her break from aristocracy.
Arthur (Earl of Sussex)	Rafe Soule	Alexandra’s former fiancé; his challenge leads to a duel and his eventual expulsion from the ship.
Kagiso	Raymond Watanga	Deceased hunting partner whose loss sets the backdrop for Alexandra and Spencer’s meeting.
Jennifer	Jo Ellen Pellman	Friend to Alexandra, informed about her family’s blacklisting from London.
Historical Royal References	–	Title of Earl of Sussex linked to Prince Arthur and Queen Victoria’s lineage.

Throughout Season 2, the tension stemming from Alexandra’s royal background becomes a driving force in her character development. Her struggle to reconcile her past with her present is portrayed through a series of challenging decisions. For instance, the need to accumulate money to travel to Montana is presented as a practical consequence of being ostracized by the royal circles that once embraced her. This financial and social isolation adds layers to her character, making her both relatable and tragically isolated.

Additionally, the series subtly hints at the broader implications of her decision. By renouncing her noble title and embracing a life with Spencer, Alexandra effectively chooses a future defined by personal freedom over inherited privilege. This decision, while empowering, comes at the cost of familial acceptance and social support. The narrative uses this conflict to explore themes of identity, loyalty, and the price of defiance in a world governed by strict traditions.

In summary, Alexandra Dutton’s royal connection is a linchpin in the narrative of 1923. Her past engagements, dramatic duels, and the subsequent blacklisting of her family serve as constant reminders of the high stakes involved in renouncing one’s heritage. As Season 2 unfolds, viewers are treated to a multi-layered exploration of character, duty, and the often painful cost of following one’s heart.

Stay updated with the Latest News and Stories, follow us on our social media platforms.

You can follow us on:

Pinterest