Cole Hauser is bringing back his popular character, Rip Wheeler, in May. A key moment from the original Yellowstone series really established who Rip is. Although Yellowstone finished with its fifth season in 2024, the story isn’t over—it’s continuing with two new shows. Hauser will be back as Rip, alongside Kelly Reilly as Beth Dutton, in Dutton Ranch, which will debut on Paramount+ on May 15th.
As a critic, I’ve been following the post-Yellowstone universe closely, and the debut of Marshals on CBS with Luke Grimes as Kayce Dutton was…interesting. While it’s drawing huge numbers – the most-watched show on both broadcast and streaming, actually – a lot of dedicated Yellowstone fans haven’t connected with the procedural format. It seems they’re holding out hope for Dutton Ranch, which is expected to pick up Rip’s story and, if the trailers are anything to go by, maintain that gritty, intense energy we all loved.
Wade’s Murder In Yellowstone Season 3 Showcases Rip’s Brutality
Though the show features many intense scenes, the most shocking happens in Yellowstone Season 3, Episode 9. Rip and the ranch hands kill Wade Morrow (played by Boots Southerland). Morrow is someone who opposes John Dutton, and another enemy, Rourke Morris (Josh Holloway), paid him to create problems for the Dutton family.
Morris invests in real estate and owns stock in Market Equities, a large Fortune 500 company. He’s competing with the Dutton Ranch and becomes embroiled in a bitter rivalry with Beth and Rourke, fighting over land and business interests. Behind the scenes, Morris is also funding Wade and his son, Clint, to harass the Dutton family.
Following a violent attack where Wade and Clint almost kill ranch hands Teeter and Colby, Walker leads the Morrows onto the Yellowstone Ranch, setting the stage for Rip’s most shocking act in the series, Yellowstone. After Clint falls from his horse and dies, Wheeler brutally cuts something out of Wade’s chest and then hangs his body with a rope.
Rip’s willingness to do anything for John Dutton, even something extreme like eliminating Wade, perfectly reveals his character. Rip was taken in by John as a troubled teenager, and as a result, he’s incredibly devoted to the Dutton family and the Yellowstone ranch. Throughout the series, Rip consistently acts on John’s principles, no matter the personal sacrifice.
How Rip’s Moving To Texas Affects His Loyalty To The Duttons
I’m so excited for Season 1 of Dutton Ranch! It’s going to have nine episodes, with the first two dropping on May 15th. From what I’ve heard, Beth and Rip are leaving their ranch in Montana and heading to Texas for some kind of new adventure. Apparently, something happens that makes them strike out on their own, which sounds really interesting!
Beth and Rip will be raising their adopted son, Carter (Finn Little), and are committed to helping him grow into the person he’s meant to be. The new series, set on a 7,000-acre ranch in South Texas, also stars Academy Award nominees Ed Harris and Annette Bening alongside Hauser and Riley. It will be available on Paramount+.
As a huge fan, it’s clear to me that even with everything Kayce went through in the Marshals series, this next generation of the Duttons is still dealing with the consequences of their dad’s actions. It makes you wonder if Beth and Rip really want to escape the Yellowstone drama for good, even though Kayce made that deal to give the land to the Broken Rock Tribe at the end of the show. It’s like the past just won’t let go!
The death of John Dutton’s daughter’s adopted brother in the final episode of Yellowstone might have also motivated the couple to move. Though Beth concealed what happened, she may have simply needed to get away from Montana. Alternatively, always a forward-thinker when it came to the ranching business, she could have spotted a new opportunity she couldn’t ignore.
Rip remains firmly loyal to the Dutton family. He’ll carry on the Dutton name – the same one John passed down to his daughter and that Wheeler has always defended. He’ll also continue to protect his wife, ensuring John’s legacy lives on even after he’s gone.
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2026-05-10 03:38