Beth & Rip Are Back! Here’s What We Know About the ‘Yellowstone’ Spinoff
The Yellowstone saga isn’t riding off into the sunset just yet—Beth Dutton (Kelly Reilly) and Rip Wheeler (Cole Hauser) are saddling up for their own spinoff, and fans are buzzing with excitement. After five seasons of neo-Western grit, heartbreak, and Dutton family chaos, the flagship series ended on December 15, 2024, with a finale that left us mourning John Dutton and cheering for Beth and Rip’s fresh start. Now, the franchise’s most iconic couple is set to carry the torch in a new series, and here’s everything we know so far about their next chapter.
Confirmed: Beth and Rip Take the Lead
In December 2024, Deadline broke the news that Kelly Reilly and Cole Hauser had finalized deals to reprise their roles as Beth and Rip, shifting plans from a potential Yellowstone Season 6 to an official spinoff. Sources close to the production told Variety it’s a done deal, with Paramount+ eyeing this as a way to keep the Dutton flame alive after selling Yellowstone’s streaming rights to Peacock. Reilly confirmed it herself on Instagram post-finale, responding “True” with a white heart emoji to a fan asking about the rumors. Hauser chimed in with a cryptic Instagram post on December 16: “What a ride. What a office. See ya on the next”—a throwback ranch photo hinting at more to come.
The Setup: A New Ranch, A New Life
The Yellowstone Season 5 finale, “Life Is a Promise,” teed up the spinoff perfectly. After Beth avenged her father’s murder by killing Jamie (Wes Bentley) and Kayce (Luke Grimes) sold the Yellowstone Dutton Ranch back to the Broken Rock Tribe, Beth and Rip—along with their adopted son Carter (Finn Little)—relocated to a 7,000-acre cattle ranch in Dillon, Montana. Beth bought the land on a whim, much to Rip’s gruff amusement, promising a quieter life away from corporate vultures and family feuds. The final shot of them settling into this modest spread—Rip dreaming of horses and beef cows, Beth joking about needing a bar—felt like a soft reset. But knowing Taylor Sheridan, “quiet” won’t last long.
What’s the Plot?
Paramount’s keeping the synopsis under wraps (likely to avoid spoiling the finale for latecomers), but the spinoff will pick up in the present day, post-Yellowstone. Unlike prequels 1883 and 1923, this is a sequel, and it’s the first spinoff to carry “Yellowstone” in its title—a sign it’s deeply tied to the mothership. Expect Beth and Rip to navigate ranching life in Dillon, balancing their fiery romance with new threats. Beth’s purchase of a remote spread suggests a focus on building something from scratch—Rip as the cowboy foreman, Beth as the sharp-tongued strategist. Will old enemies resurface, sniffing John Dutton’s absence? Could that pile of bodies at the Montana-Wyoming “train station” come back to haunt them? Sheridan loves a simmering conflict, so don’t bet on smooth trails ahead.
Who’s Joining Them?
Reilly and Hauser are locked in, and Finn Little’s Carter seems a safe bet after Reilly’s Instagram reply to him: “You and I just beginning xx love you.” Other Yellowstone survivors—like Lloyd (Forrie J. Smith), who turned down Rip’s job offer, or Kayce and Monica (Kelsey Asbille)—could pop up, though nothing’s confirmed. Reports hint Paramount’s hunting for a “Kevin Costner replacement”—a big-name actor to fill John Dutton’s boots as a foil or ally. Kevin Costner himself? Unlikely—he’s moved on to Horizon and told TODAY in 2024 he’s done unless “the right circumstances” align. Don’t hold your breath for a cameo. New faces are expected too, possibly rival ranchers or local troublemakers to stir the pot.
When’s It Coming?
No official premiere date yet, but Puck reported in March 2025 that filming’s slated for summer 2025. With 1923 Season 2 wrapping up in February 2025 and The Madison (starring Michelle Pfeiffer) also in production, Sheridan’s juggling a packed slate—1944 and 6666 are on deck too. If filming kicks off mid-2025, expect a late 2026 debut on Paramount+, assuming no legal snags with Peacock over streaming rights (a brewing issue, per Puck). Post-production for Sheridan’s cinematic style takes time, so patience is key.
Why It Matters
Beth and Rip are Yellowstone’s beating heart—her razor wit, his quiet loyalty. Their high school romance turned rugged marriage, plus taking in Carter after Beth’s infertility reveal, won fans over. The spinoff’s a chance to see them thrive outside the Dutton Ranch’s shadow, a first for a Dutton family member running their own outfit. But it’s not without risks—some fans worry Sheridan’s tragedy obsession could derail their happy-ish ending. Will it lean into ranching roots or spiral into more blood feuds? Either way, Reilly and Hauser’s chemistry guarantees a wild ride.
What’s Next?
The Yellowstone universe keeps sprawling—1944 will bridge Spencer Dutton’s story to the modern era, and The Madison might tie in Elizabeth’s lineage from 1923. Beth and Rip’s tale, though, is the franchise’s first step forward, not back. Stay tuned for casting news and that elusive title—until then, saddle up and rewatch the finale on Peacock. Beth and Rip are back, and they’re not slowing down.
