Kevin Costner Gets a Rare Mention in Yellowstone’s Dutton Ranch Spinoff
Yellowstone‘s spinoff, Dutton Ranch, made a rare nod to Kevin Costner‘s iconic character, John Dutton.
In an exclusive sneak peek from the Friday, June 26, episode shared by Us Weekly, Carter (Finn Little) shares his aspirations with Beth (Kelly Reilly), saying, “My dream is to be a cowboy. To be like Rip — and like your dad.”
Beth encourages Carter’s ambitions by having him spend a day working with Rip (Cole Hauser).
“So you are going to work. Today. Rip will take you to the 10 Petal,” she mentions. “Cowboys don’t get a day off because they are hungover.”
Yellowstone introduced audiences to the Dutton family — with Costner, 71, portraying the patriarch — when it premiered in 2018. The intense romance between Rip and Beth was also a focal point. Viewers have cheered for the fictional couple as they navigated various relationship hurdles, family conflicts, and the challenges of operating the Dutton Ranch.
Following the original series wrapping up in 2024 amidst rumored tensions involving Costner and creator Taylor Sheridan, the Yellowstone universe has expanded with CBS’ Marshals and Paramount+’s Dutton Ranch, detailing Rip and Beth — along with their son, Carter — as they adapt to life in Texas after their time in Montana.
Dutton Ranch has brought in new characters portrayed by Annette Bening and Ed Harris. Additional new faces include Jai Courtney, Natalie Alyn Lind, Marc Menchaca, Juan Pablo Raba, and J. R. Villarreal.
Before the series launched, Reilly, 48, shared her passion for the Yellowstone universe.
“I love embodying [Beth] because there’s an adrenaline to her that’s invigorating. However, it’s also incredibly challenging. I have to conceal parts of myself to portray her. I adore her, but I can’t coexist with her,” she remarked to Town & Country in November 2024, before the Yellowstone finale. “It’s not merely about depicting strong, capable women; that oversimplifies the issue. Male characters can be flawed but still heroic. It’s a full spectrum. Embracing shadows requires bravery. How can one be genuine without acknowledging their darkness?”
Hauser, 51, also reflected on the development of the captivating love story between Rip and Beth.
“They’re deeply flawed. I think audiences appreciate seeing imperfect characters; it makes them relatable,” he exclusively told Us in May about how it is “a privilege to portray” Rip and “a blessing to work with” Reilly. “I hold her in high regard.”
Hauser commended creator Sheridan, stating, “[He] crafted such complex yet vibrant characters.”
Dutton Ranch airs on Paramount+ every Friday.
