Carter Is the Future of Yellowstone — and Here’s Why
The Yellowstone universe has always been about power, family, and survival. But as the dust settles after John Dutton’s brutal reign, a new figure is quietly emerging from the shadows — one no one expected to inherit the heart of the Dutton story. That character is Carter, the boy who arrived at the ranch with nothing but loss, anger, and a desperate need for belonging.
Now, Yellowstone’s next chapter is ready to ride — and it looks like Carter is leading the way.
A Legacy Reborn in Dylan
Paramount has confirmed that Finn Little will reprise his role as Carter in the upcoming Beth and Rip spin-off, which will take place in a new setting called Dylan. Rather than a simple continuation of the Dutton saga, this series marks the beginning of something different: a generational handoff.
Carter’s story — from a homeless teenager to a man molded by the Dutton way of life — mirrors the evolution of the Yellowstone brand itself. This isn’t just about cattle, land, or bloodlines anymore. It’s about inheritance — not by birth, but by choice.
The new series will explore Carter’s journey as he learns from Beth (Kelly Reilly) and Rip (Cole Hauser) while forging his own path in the modern West.
Beth and Rip Become Mentors
When fans last saw Carter in Yellowstone’s final season, his relationship with Beth had deepened beyond mother and son — it had become symbolic of redemption. Both had survived trauma, both carried guilt, and both were learning to love in their own fractured ways.
A social media exchange between Reilly and Little hinted early on that their story was far from over. After the Yellowstone finale, Finn commented “mama” on Reilly’s farewell post, to which she replied, “You and I are just beginning. Love you.”
At the time, fans saw it as a sweet goodbye. But it was actually a clue — the emotional groundwork for a new era centered around Carter’s coming of age.
From Outcast to Heir
Carter’s arc mirrors the same generational storytelling that Taylor Sheridan has built across 1883, 1923, and Yellowstone. Just as John Dutton carried on the legacy of Jacob and Cara Dutton, Carter will inherit the lessons — and burdens — of Beth and Rip.
Once a boy who broke fences and pushed boundaries, Carter now stands as a symbol of the Dutton resilience — a reminder that family isn’t just about bloodlines, but loyalty, grit, and the ability to rise from the ashes.
If the Duttons represent the myth of the Old West, Carter represents its future — a modern cowboy caught between tradition and change.
Inside the Spin-Off
Paramount Global has officially slated the Beth and Rip spin-off for November 2025, aligning with Taylor Sheridan’s ever-expanding universe, which includes Landman, Mayor of Kingstown, and Tulsa King.
Both Kelly Reilly and Cole Hauser have expressed excitement for the project, though neither has read the finished script. What’s certain, however, is that Carter’s character will be central — not a background figure, but the emotional core of the story.
As one Paramount insider teased, “Carter represents everything Yellowstone has been building toward — legacy, survival, and the question of who carries the fire next.”
A New Kind of Dutton Story
What makes Carter’s rise so powerful is that he wasn’t born into the family — he earned his place. That choice, that fight to belong, is what gives Yellowstone’s future its heart.
His transformation reflects the same themes that have defined Sheridan’s storytelling:
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Identity versus inheritance
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Mentorship and redemption
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The moral cost of survival
As Carter steps into his own story, fans will see echoes of John, Beth, and Rip — but through the lens of a generation that must adapt or die.
The Torch Is Passed
The Yellowstone saga began as a story about defending the past. Carter’s story will be about shaping the future. He’s not just the next Dutton — he’s the evolution of what the Dutton name stands for.
Whether he thrives or falls under the weight of that legacy remains to be seen. But one thing is clear: Carter isn’t just the future of Yellowstone. He is Yellowstone’s next great gamble.