Sumith Prasad
The second season of Paramount+’s Western series ‘1923’ begins by opening a window into the perilous journey Spencer Dutton embarks on to return to the Yellowstone Dutton Ranch. Even after getting separated from his wife, Alexandra “Alex” Dutton, he continues to travel to Montana after learning from Cara Dutton’s letters that their property is under the threat of several adversaries. On his way to the United States, Spencer grows a bond with an unnamed fellow passenger from Italy. When the latter comes to know that his new friend is struggling to earn enough money to safeguard his family, he even comes up with a plan to help the war veteran, displaying his interesting qualities! SPOILERS AHEAD.
Spencer Dutton’s Co-Passenger is an Italian Refugee Named Luca
Throughout the second season premiere of ‘1923,’ Spencer Dutton maintains a warm relationship with one of his fellow passengers and colleagues, irrespective of their varying nationalities and language skills. Even though the war veteran’s new friend does not introduce himself directly with his name, the credits of the episode reveal that he is Luca. The young man embarked on a journey to the United States when a war broke out in his home country, Italy. From history, we know that Benito Mussolini became the dictator of Fascist Italy in 1922.
Luca flew from Italy and the hardships that destroyed his country because of his beloved mother’s insistence. He chose the United States as his next home since two of his cousins are settled in Galveston, Texas. The Italian aspires to ensure his survival among his loved ones in the Lone Star State. Even though Spencer and Luca become friends, they cannot be more different from each other. While the American is immensely courageous and hesitant to back away from confronting anything unacceptable, the Italian is vulnerable, scared, and soft-spoken. That’s why he does not raise a word against his rapist until his new companion saves him from the perpetrator.
Luca is also highly impulsive or reckless compared to Spencer, which explains why he decides to kill himself because of the atrocities he had to tolerate aboard the ship. Since the American knows the value of life as a war veteran, he convinces his new friend not to jump from the marine vessel. It does not mean that the Italian is not good enough to be Spencer’s companion. Luca displays commendable out-of-the-box thinking and reasoning to arrange fights within the ship to help his friend earn money that will assist the latter in securing the future of his ranch.
Furthermore, Luca is clever enough to fix a 20% commission and justify the same to Spencer. As their ship reaches the United States, the two companions may part ways, as the Italian aspires to live with his cousins in Texas while the American has to reach Montana as soon as possible. However, it does not mean that they can’t remain connected. If Luca’s cousins are in no position to accept a guest, Spencer may ask the man to join him. As the war between the Duttons and Donald Whitfield intensifies, the Italian’s cleverness may help the former group tackle the latter.
The Chosen Alum Andy Dispensa Plays Luca
Andy Dispensa, who is known for playing Dion in the Christian drama series ‘The Chosen,’ plays Luca in ‘1923.’ After spending years acting in short films, the performer entered the world of television in 2020 and eventually went on to play Petty Officer Calvin Lynch in CBS’ police procedural series ‘NCIS: Hawai’i.’ He also appears as Patrick in Kate Bohan’s thriller movie ‘From Embers,’ starring Kara Wang and Matthew Morrison. “This is a role that I feel like I was born to play,” Andy told his alma mater, Elon University, about Luca.
Andy had an incredible experience working in ‘1923,’ especially by collaborating with the head director Ben Richardson. “The director, Ben Richardson, is brilliant, one of the best directors I’ve ever worked with. He helped me at every single turn,” he said in the same Elon University interview. “You’re working with professionals at the highest level, and I feel comfortable doing that: when everybody shows up and has a smile, is ready to go, and is solution-oriented,” the actor added.
Read More: Who Plays Pete in 1923 Season 2? Why Was He Recast?
