The Native American actor made his first appearance on the series during the Season 1 premiere.
C&I reader favorite Jeremy Gauna, lately on view as Tall Shadow in the acclaimed Netflix series American Primeval , has saddled up for a key supporting role in 1923. He made his first appearance on the Taylor Sheridan-produced Yellowstone prequel during the Season 2 premiere as Pete Plenty Clouds, a character played during Season 1 by the late Cole Brings Plenty.
Not incidentally, this won’t be Gauna’s first rodeo with Sheridan: Sharp-eyed viewers may be recall his brief but pivotal scenes in another Yellowstone prequel, 1883, where he played a warrior who faces off against Elsa Dutton (Isabel May) during a wagon train raid. Other recent credits for the up-and-coming actor include the films Far Haven, Washington’s Armor, and Birthright Outlaw.
Isabel May and Jeremy Gauna in 1883.
Picking up where the Season 1 finale left off, the Season 2 premieres episode reintroduced viewers to Teonna Rainwater (Aminah Nieves) as she remains on the run after killing two brutal teachers at the Indian Boarding School where she was held against her will.
Aminah Nieves as Teonna Rainwater in 1923.
She continues to avoid the posse on her trail with help from her father, Broken Rock Reservation chief Runs His Horse (Michael Spears), and the newly orphaned Pete Plenty Clouds. Runs His Horse can’t help noticing the romantic attraction blooming between Pete and Teonna, and he initially objects to their possible dalliance. But, it should be noted, not too strenuously.
“Its such a blessing to be a part of such an amazing story,” Gauna told C&I. “But, this is bigger than me. Obviously, taking on the role that was played by somebody who is no longer here with us physically was very challenging, as [Cole Brings Plenty] was a close friend and beloved cast member. This cast and crew were and are very close.
Jeremy Gauna, Mo Brings Plenty, and Cole Brings Plenty with a fan at Mo’s C&I cover-reveal party. (PHOTOGRAPHY: Courtesy Walt Burns)
“Aminah Nieves was absolutely incredible in kind of guiding me around, and helping me find way around, and getting me comfy with everything from sets to crew members. My job was to come in and make sure I honored those who have worked so hard to make this show what it is. I really trusted and allowed my ancestors to guide me in this and give me the strength needed to represent for all of our people.
“This is just one of hundreds of thousands different stories of things that truly happened to our ancestors and I just am blessed to be able to be a part of something so powerful. Thank you to all for the love and support.”
The Season 2 premiere episode of 1923 is now available to stream on Paramount+.
