The Yellowstone universe just gained another Hollywood heavyweight. As filming officially begins on Kelly Reilly and Cole Hauser’s highly anticipated spin-off — tentatively titled The Dutton Ranch — Oscar-nominated actor Ed Harris has been confirmed as the newest lead in Taylor Sheridan’s ever-expanding Western saga.

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Ed Harris Saddles Up for the Dutton Legacy

Per Deadline, Harris will portray Everett McKinney, a “weathered veteran and veterinarian” known for his compassion, sharp wit, and quiet wisdom. The character is described as someone who’s seen life’s rough edges and still manages to meet it with humor — a perfect fit for Sheridan’s brand of rugged, morally complex storytelling.

Harris, best known for The Truman Show, Apollo 13, Appaloosa, and Top Gun: Maverick, joins a growing ensemble that blends new faces with fan favorites. His addition follows Annette Bening’s casting last week as Beulah Jackson, the cunning and charismatic head of a rival Texas ranch.

Together, their presence signals Sheridan’s ongoing ambition to elevate The Dutton Ranch beyond a simple continuation — and into prestige territory.

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Beth and Rip’s Next Chapter

The series picks up in the present day, following Yellowstone’s explosive fifth and final season, which wrapped in December 2024.

Returning stars Kelly Reilly and Cole Hauser reprise their iconic roles as Beth Dutton and Rip Wheeler, now settled on their hard-earned 7,000-acre ranch. The official logline reads:

“The Dutton Ranch, home to Beth Dutton and Rip Wheeler, is a testament to the peace they sought, fought for, and nearly died for. With tough times and stiff competition, Beth and Rip do what they must to survive, all while ensuring Carter becomes the man he’s meant to be.”

Finn Little, who plays Carter, confirmed production had begun by posting a behind-the-scenes black-and-white shot in full cowboy gear, captioned: “So it is true!!” His role will not be recast, and the actor returns to continue Carter’s emotional journey from troubled teen to trusted ranch hand — and perhaps, the Dutton heir in spirit.

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The Legacy Continues — With New Faces

In an interview with Fox News Digital, Hauser hinted that the project’s title, The Dutton Ranch, may not be final:

“First of all, it’s not called Dutton Ranch… that’s not the name of it,” he teased. “But fans can expect the same thing we’ve been doing for the last seven years. Kelly and I are working our [expletive] off to create something special.”

Harris and Bening’s casting marks a fresh direction for the franchise — pairing the raw intensity of Yellowstone’s world with the gravitas of two Academy Award icons.

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The Yellowstone Universe Expands

While The Dutton Ranch is expected to premiere in fall 2025 (with a potential November release mirroring the original show’s pattern), fans have even more to look forward to.

A Luke Grimes spin-off centered on Kayce Dutton is slated for CBS in 2026, while Paramount+ continues to develop additional titles, including:

• 1944 — another period prequel set during World War II.

• The Madison — starring Michelle Pfeiffer and Kurt Russell, set in modern-day Montana.

• Y-Marshals — a rumored law enforcement-centered series in Sheridan’s universe.

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A Franchise That Refuses to Fade

With Yellowstone’s final chapter still echoing across television, The Dutton Ranch feels less like an ending and more like a rebirth — one carried by Beth and Rip’s fiery chemistry, Sheridan’s signature tension, and now, the legendary gravitas of Ed Harris.

If the original series explored how far the Duttons would go to protect their land, this next story asks a darker question: What happens when the land itself begins to turn against them?