‘Yellowstone’ spinoff ‘Dutton Ranch’ begins a new chapter in Texas
Cole Hauser and Kelly Reilly explain how “Dutton Ranch” restarts Beth and Rip’s story in Texas with new challenges and a fresh beginning.
Cole Hauser is opening up about the difficulties of making the “Yellowstone” spinoff “Dutton Ranch” – especially without original series creator and executive producer Taylor Sheridan.
Hauser originated the role of fan-favorite ranch foreman Rip Wheeler with Sheridan for five seasons of “Yellowstone” starting in 2018.
Hauser, his TV partner Beth Reilly (playing Beth Dutton), and co-star Finn Little (as the couple’s son Carter) were tapped to lead the new series “Dutton Ranch,” the first official “Yellowstone” story spinoff, overseen by showrunner and executive producer Chad Feehan.
“There were challenges, you know? Not having Taylor there,” Hauser told Film Inside NYC. “For us to really kind of be able to work with these new writers, these new directors, these people – everything had changed.”
The only “normality” he had was with costars Little and Reilly, the latter of whom also serves as executive producer, and executive producer Christina Alexandra Voros. Hauser said the cast and crew had to “figure [it] out on our feet” how to move on after Feehan quit right before Season 1 premiered in May.
“I enjoy a challenge; it certainly was a challenge. We worked our asses off this year,” Hauser said, adding that he was not consciously aware of the heavy expectations for the follow-up show while shooting. “I don’t think a lot of the outside noise or the thought of ‘what’s the weight of the show?’ was really apparent to me at the time.”
But he’s ready to do it again. “Dutton Ranch,” which aired its Season 1 finale on July 3, has been renewed for Season 2.
“I’m proud of what we accomplished,” Hauser said. “I look forward to doing it again.”
