So, the dust has finally settled on the Yellowstone ranch. After years of speculation, family betrayals, and enough "train station" trips to fill a cemetery, the flagship series is in the rearview mirror. But if you think Cole Hauser is ready to hang up Rip Wheeler’s black hat and ride into the sunset, you haven't been paying attention. Honestly, the man seems just as obsessed with the Dutton legacy as the fans are.
While the ending of Yellowstone felt like a "devastating loss" to some—especially with the high-profile exit of Kevin Costner—Hauser has been surprisingly vocal about the "beautiful" way Taylor Sheridan wrapped things up. He isn't just reflecting on the past, though. He’s looking directly at a future that involves a very specific, very anticipated spin-off.
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Cole Hauser Reflects on Yellowstone Ending and Why it Had to Happen
It’s been a wild seven-year ride. Hauser recently shared that playing Rip was one of his favorite jobs, mostly because of the "camaraderie with the bunkhouse" and the "fireworks" of working alongside Kelly Reilly. He’s called the finale "beautiful," which is a bold word for a show that usually trades in blood and grit.
Basically, Hauser thinks the timing was right. He told reporters that "America has spoken" and the numbers don't lie. People still love the show, but there’s a limit to how much trauma one family can endure before the story needs to evolve. For Rip, the ending of the main series was about picking up the pieces. With John Dutton gone, Rip became the de facto soul of the ranch, protecting Beth and trying to honor a legacy that was crumbling under its own weight.
But here is the thing: Hauser doesn't see it as a "goodbye." He sees it as a pivot.
The Confusion Over the New Spin-off Title
There’s been a lot of back-and-forth about what comes next. For months, everyone—including some of the cast—referred to the upcoming Beth and Rip series as The Dutton Ranch. Then, Hauser went on record with Fox News and basically told everyone they were wrong. He flat-out said, "It’s not Dutton Ranch. That’s not the name of it."
Fast forward to the 2026 Golden Globes, and guess what? Paramount rolled out a teaser confirming the title is, in fact, Dutton Ranch. (They just dropped the "The.")
Whether Hauser was trying to keep a secret or the producers changed their minds at the eleventh hour, the result is the same. The show is real. It’s happening. And it’s going to follow Rip and Beth as they try to find peace on a new 7,000-acre spread in Dillon, Montana.
What We Know About the New Series
- The Cast: Hauser and Kelly Reilly are back, obviously. Finn Little is also returning as Carter, their pseudo-adopted son who is finally growing into the man Rip wants him to be.
- The Newcomers: This is where it gets interesting. The legendary Ed Harris has joined the cast as Everett McKinney, a "good-humored" veterinarian and veteran. Having a heavy hitter like Harris suggests this isn't just a low-budget "where are they now" project.
- The Plot: It picks up right after the Yellowstone finale. Beth and Rip are trying to live a "peaceful" life, but since this is a Taylor Sheridan show, we know that peace usually lasts about ten minutes before someone gets shot or a land developer shows up with a contract.
Why Rip and Beth’s Story Still Matters
You’ve probably seen the "Red State vs. Blue State" debate surrounding Yellowstone. Hauser has no time for that. He calls it an "American show," pointing out that fans in Italy, Australia, and the Netherlands love Rip Wheeler just as much as people in Montana do.
The draw isn't the politics; it’s the intensity. Hauser and Reilly have spent seven years building a relationship that feels "intoxicating" and "larger than life." Hauser has often said he wants Rip to end up "sitting on a porch" with Beth, and the new spin-off seems to be the only way to make that happen without the constant threat of the Governor’s office or the Montana land board hanging over them.
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But can Rip Wheeler actually exist in a world where he isn't the family's "hired gun"? That’s the tension Hauser seems most excited to explore. He’s mentioned that he and Kelly work their "a--es off" to create something special, and they aren't interested in just rehashing the old hits. They want to show who Beth is when she isn't at war, and who Rip is when he isn't just taking orders.
What's Next for the Yellowstone Universe?
If you’re keeping track, Dutton Ranch is just one piece of a massive puzzle. While we wait for its expected Summer 2026 release, there’s also The Madison (starring Michelle Pfeiffer) and Marshals (the Kayce Dutton spin-off starring Luke Grimes).
Sheridan is moving his film deals over to NBCUniversal soon, but he’s still tied to Paramount for these TV projects until at least 2028. This means the "Sheridan-verse" is going to be the dominant force in Western drama for the foreseeable future.
Practical Steps for Fans
- Watch the 2026 Teaser: If you haven't seen the snippet from the Golden Globes yet, find it. It shows Rip and Beth riding side-by-side, and it’s the first real confirmation of the show’s tone—which looks surprisingly hopeful.
- Follow the Production: Filming for Dutton Ranch began in August 2025 around Fort Worth, Texas, and Ferris. Casting calls for extras are still popping up, which means they are deep in the trenches of production right now.
- Manage Your Expectations: Hauser has teased that while they want peace, "stiff competition" is coming. Don't expect a cozy ranching documentary.
At the end of the day, Cole Hauser reflects on the Yellowstone ending with a mix of gratitude and hunger. He knows that characters like Rip Wheeler only come around once in a career. He isn't ready to let go, and honestly, neither are we. As long as Taylor Sheridan is writing "fireworks," Hauser is going to be there to light the fuse.
Keep an eye on the Summer 2026 schedule for the official premiere of Dutton Ranch on Paramount+.
Next Steps:
- Monitor Paramount+ for the full-length trailer of Dutton Ranch expected in the coming months.
- Catch up on the Yellowstone Season 5B finale to understand the specific "peace" Beth and Rip are moving toward.
- Look out for casting updates regarding Annette Bening, who is also rumored to play a major role in the expanding series.