The stars of Dutton Ranch.
Photo: Emerson Miller/Paramount+

Taylor Sheridan’s Yellowstone spinoff Dutton Ranch may be the biggest ratings success in Paramount+ history, but season one seems to have been a bull-size mess behind the scenes. Cole Hauser, who leads the show as Rip Wheeler, gave a recent interview gesturing at the difficulty the cast had making the first season. “There were challenges not having Taylor there,” Hauser told Film Inside, referring to Sheridan not being the showrunner. “For us to really work with these new writers, these new directors, these people … Everything had changed.” “I enjoy a challenge,” Hauser continued. “It certainly was a challenge. We worked our asses off this year.”

The show was high stakes for all involved — Yellowstone ended abruptly following disagreements between Kevin Costner and Sheridan, so Dutton Ranch was expected to pick up the mantle. “I don’t think a lot of the outside noise or the weight of a show was apparent to me at the time,” Hauser said. “It was about putting my head down and working my ass off with what I had around me. The new writers that we had … we had to figure out on our feet how to perform and tell a story.” It’s not that Hauser is trashing the show, but his statements do indicate a chaos experience. Why would you have to figure out how to tell a story in real time if the writers were doing their jobs?

Hauser’s comments are especially interesting in light of Ed Harris’s recent complaints. The Dutton Ranch supporting player candidly kvetched on a red carpet about how he’d been told he would have a sizable part on the show and then, after his part turned out to be smaller than promised, was all but dismissed when he complained. “Midway through this first season, I was ready to say ‘Get me the fuck outta here,’” he said.

Notably, it seems Paramount has already taken steps behind the scenes to change up the atmosphere for season two. Chad Feehan, the showrunner for the first season, exited before the series even premiered. Per Deadline, “Feehan faced challenges handling the bold-faced cast.” Next season, SEAL Team creator Benjamin Cavell will be showrunner. Hopefully, there will be fewer challenges this time around.

Sign up for the Vulture Daily

An entertainment newsletter for the pop-culture obsessed.

Vox Media, LLC Terms and Privacy Notice

Related