Why Helen Mirren Says Every ‘Bloke’ Loves Harrison Ford—And Why He Calls Her ‘Cool’

Harrison Ford and Helen Mirren, two Hollywood legends, have forged a fast friendship while working together on the 1923 series, the Yellowstone prequel that first premiered in 2022. The pair, who star as Cara and Jacob Dutton—a rugged ranching couple at the heart of the show—have shared not only a professional bond but also a personal one, especially during the production of the second season, which premiered last month.

Reflecting on their time together, Ford recently told PEOPLE, “We had a good time… A good time hanging out together as well as working together.” Mirren, in turn, expressed admiration for Ford’s down-to-earth attitude, calling him a “bloke,” a term she explains in an affectionate, British sense: “He’s what in England we call a ‘bloke.’ He is a guy, and because he’s a bloke, all the other blokes absolutely love him, and quite rightfully,” Mirren said. She also added, “And he’s always so lovely to all the other actors.”

Ford, always quick with a witty response, replied, “If I’m a bloke, she’s what we used to call a ‘broad’—and there’s no disparagement in calling a Dame a broad.” While the term “broad” might raise some eyebrows, Ford clarified, “It means that she’s a woman that has the bandwidth to hang with men—not just to be a lady with them, but to actually hang with them… She’s a real cool lady.”

The chemistry between Ford and Mirren isn’t confined to their onscreen roles. Mirren described Ford as someone who is refreshingly unpretentious. “Harrison is not like an ‘I’m going to my trailer’ person,” she said. “I don’t think I ever knew him [or] remember him going ever to his trailer.” Instead, the pair would often relax and chat off-set, cementing their growing camaraderie.

On the show, Ford and Mirren portray Cara and Jacob Dutton, who are integral to the Yellowstone universe, with their characters navigating a brutal life in early 20th-century Montana. Season 2 has been marked by an escalating series of challenges for the Dutton family, as they struggle with financial pressures and external threats while grappling with the absence of their heir apparent, Spencer Dutton (played by Brandon Sklenar).

Mirren teased what fans can expect from the ongoing second season, stating that Taylor Sheridan, the creator of the Yellowstone franchise, has written a “worldwide story,” with the Duttons’ troubles stretching far beyond Montana’s borders. Meanwhile, Ford highlighted the challenges the family faces, saying, “The pressure of everyday life in this context—especially in winter, and especially when you’re beset by enemies on every edge of your life—there are financial issues that have come to their crux.”

As the Dutton family faces increasing peril and uncertainty, Ford sees the complex situation unfolding into a “really fantastic fabric” that will provide gripping storylines for the season.

While the characters they play endure trials and tribulations, Ford and Mirren’s off-set friendship continues to blossom, proving that behind the intense drama of 1923, there’s a strong, unshakeable bond between two of Hollywood’s most beloved stars.