Yellowstone‘s spinoff Dutton Ranch made a rare reference to Kevin Costner‘s beloved character John Dutton.
In Us Weekly‘s exclusive sneak peek from the Friday, June 26, episode of the show, Carter (Finn Little) confides in mom Beth (Kelly Reilly), saying, “My dream is to be a cowboy. To be like Rip — and like your dad.”
Beth supports Carter’s request by having him work with Rip (Cole Hauser) for the day.
“Then you are going to work. Today. Rip will take you to the 10 Petal,” she adds. “Cowboys don’t get a day off because they are hungover.”
Yellowstone viewers were introduced to the Dutton family — with Costner, 71, as the patriarch —when the show premiered in 2018. Rip and Beth’s epic romance was also a central story line. Over the years, fans have rooted for the fictional couple as they weathered various relationship obstacles, family drama and the challenges of helping run the Dutton Ranch.
After the original series came to an end in 2024 (with alleged drama involving Costner and creator Taylor Sheridan), the Yellowstone universe expanded with CBS’ Marshals and Paramount+’s Dutton Ranch, which follows Rip and Beth — as well as their son, Carter — as they adjust to life in Texas after their time in Montana.
Dutton Ranch has also introduced some new characters played by Annette Bening and Ed Harris. Other newcomers include Jai Courtney, Natalie Alyn Lind, Marc Menchaca, Juan Pablo Raba and J. R. Villarreal.
Before the show’s premiere, Reilly, 48, reflected on her own love for the world of Yellowstone.
“I love gearing up to play [Beth], because there’s an adrenaline to Beth and it’s very energizing. But it’s also incredibly gnarly. I have to hide all of me away to put some of that on. I love her, but I can’t live with her,” she told Town & Country in November 2024 ahead of the Yellowstone series finale. “It’s not just about playing strong, capable women. That’s missing the point. Male characters can be messy, but they can still be heroic. Full spectrum. And I think there is a bravery to embracing shadow. How can you be an honest person if you don’t own some of your darkness?”
Hauser, 51, meanwhile, reflected on developing such a successful love story with Rip and Beth.
“They’re so flawed. I think the audience loves to see flawed people, and they’re real that way,” he exclusively told Us in May about how it is “an honor to play” Rip and “an honor to work with” Reilly. “I love her dearly.”
Hauser praised creator Sheridan, adding, “[He] created such polarizing but colorful characters.”
Dutton Ranch airs on Paramount+ Fridays.
