1923 Season 2 just introduced a new character played by Jennifer Carpenter, but with the Yellowstone series taking a dip into true history, was Mamie Fossett a real person? (Warning: spoilers ahead!)
1923 has now secured itself as a historical drama. Well… kind of.
The Taylor Sheridan series just introduced an infamous real-life crime family known as the Maceo Organization. They’ve already delayed Spencer’s journey back home, and it may be a sign of bad times to come.
But there was another new character and cast member introduced in 1923 Season 2 Episode 2, and it looks as though she’ll become entangled with Teonna’s storyline. Here’s what you need to know about Mamie Fossett, including whether she was based on a real-life figure.
Was Mamie Fossett a real person?
Yes, there was a real Mamie Fossett who worked as a US Deputy Marshal in Oklahoma between the late 1800s and early 1900s.
She worked alongside another woman Deputy Marshal, S.M. Burche.
There’s a historical discrepancy when it comes to the time period, since most logs of Fossett’s work come from the late 1890s (1923 is set in, you guessed it, 1923). However, with the same name and title, the Yellowstone spinoff character is almost certainly a tribute to the real-life figure.
This wouldn’t be the first time Taylor Sheridan has done this. His 2023 limited series, Lawmen: Bass Reeves, focused on another real-life legendary Western name.
But back to Mamie Fossett. A newspaper article in 1898 [via Legends of America] described Fossett and Burche as “young, fairly good-looking, well-educated, fearless, and independent.”
It continued, “When they took the oath of office and assumed their duties it was with distinct understanding that they would serve the Government just as would any other deputy marshal.
“They were to take the field, serve writs and warrants and make arrests just as any rude man might be called on to do. And they have been doing this with exceptional success.”
Who plays Mamie Fossett in 1923?
Jennifer Carpenter plays Mamie Fossett in 1923 Season 2, and she’s first introduced in Episode 2 when Marshall Kent and Father Renoud enlist her to help their search for Teonna.
You probably know Carpenter from when she played Deb Morgan in Dexter. Here, she joins the cast as Fossett, first introduced in the second episode, “The Rapist is Winter.”
While it’s still unclear what her motivations are, one thing’s for certain: she’s not putting up with any nonsense, especially from no man like Kent. The Marshal gives Fossett a good talking-down when he first meets her, but she holds her own and proves her worth.
ParamountUltimately, they seek her help in scouring the territory for Teonna, who’s wanted for multiple murders after killing nuns and priests from the boarding school.
However, Fossett clearly has respect for the Comanche people, so it may transpire that she ends up helping Teonna rather than joining in the hunt for her.
We also know, from the Season 2 trailer, that she may become part of Spencer’s mission when getting back home, since it seems like she bumps into him in the trail.
Dexerto spoke with Carpenter ahead of the Season 2 premiere, where she gave insight into the inner workings of Fossett and how she may come into play in the upcoming episodes.
“She’s willing to work the most dangerous territory in the union at this point, and not sit behind a desk, but actually bring criminals in,” she explained. “It’s the most dangerous and deadly work that was available at the time.
“And she’s someone who observes the scales of justice and is constantly deciding which side is tilting and then chasing after the root cause of that. She’s probably one of the most interesting characters I’ve ever played.”
1923 Season 2 Episode 2 is available to stream on Paramount+ now.
For more, find out when new episodes are dropping, and get to know the 1923 cast. You can also check out our guide to the best Westerns of all time for more cowboy (and cowgirl) adventures.
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