Yellowstone is more than an American neo-Western drama—it’s a sprawling epic that dissects power, loyalty, and survival in a world defined by rugged landscapes and even rougher morality. Taylor Sheridan and John Linson have crafted a universe where sweeping vistas frame deeply personal struggles, and where legacy feels like both a gift and a curse. With prequels like 1883 (2021) and 1923 (2022), Sheridan has masterfully expanded the Yellowstone timeline, delving into the generational toll of protecting land, family, and identity. Yet, within the flagship series, there’s an abundance of untold stories waiting to be unearthed.
At Yellowstone’s heart lies its characters—complex, flawed, and deeply human. Whether it’s the fierce ambition of Beth Dutton, the haunted loyalty of Rip Wheeler, or the sharp intellect of Angela Blue Thunder, each character carries a history as vast and layered as the landscape they inhabit. Their choices, shaped by the weight of their pasts, ripple across their futures, creating opportunities for further exploration. This list dives into 10 characters whose untapped arcs could anchor compelling spinoffs, offering fresh perspectives on the themes that define the Yellowstone universe.
Beth Dutton (Portrayed by Kelly Reilly)
Spinoff Premise: Cutthroat Corporate Battles and Emotional Scars Before Returning Home
Beth Dutton is the embodiment of unapologetic ambition and searing intelligence, a character who commands the room and obliterates anyone in her way. A spinoff exploring her years in corporate America would reveal the intense emotional labor that forged her into the unrelenting force we see today. It’s a story of survival in a world that punishes powerful women, juxtaposed against the raw vulnerabilities of her complicated relationships with her father and brother, Jamie.
Watching Beth navigate ruthless boardrooms and personal betrayals would be both exhilarating and heartbreaking—a testament to the scars we carry and the armor we wear.
Rip Wheeler (Portrayed by Cole Hauser)
Spinoff Premise: A Prequel About Loyalty and Survival in His Troubled Youth
Rip Wheeler’s devotion to John Dutton and the Yellowstone Ranch makes him one of the series’ most loyal and enigmatic figures. A prequel diving into Rip’s formative years would be a visceral exploration of resilience. Orphaned at a young age and forced into a world of violence, Rip’s journey from a broken boy to John’s trusted enforcer is rich with potential.
The series could trace how his loyalty was shaped by desperation, love, and survival, giving viewers a raw look at the making of a man who has become both protector and weapon.
Carter (Portrayed by Finn Little)
Spinoff Premise: A Coming-of-Age Tale of Redemption and Ranch Life
Carter’s arc holds a mirror to the cyclical nature of redemption on the Yellowstone Ranch. Taken in by Beth and Rip, his story is one of second chances and learning the unspoken rules of survival.
A spinoff could follow his transformation from a troubled, defiant teenager to a capable ranch hand, while grappling with the shadow of his mentors. Carter’s journey is about the push and pull between rebellion and belonging, framed against the backdrop of ranch life and the often harsh lessons that come with it.
Jimmy Hurdstrom (Portrayed by Jefferson White)
Spinoff Premise: A Coming-of-Age Story at the 6666 Ranch
Jimmy’s journey from a hapless ranch hand to a budding cowboy offers a relatable story of personal growth and resilience. A spinoff set at the legendary 6666 Ranch would highlight his struggles and triumphs as he navigates high expectations, budding relationships, and the relentless challenges of ranching life.
With its blend of humor, heart, and grit, Jimmy’s story could be a meditation on how identity is forged through failure, perseverance, and finding your place in an unforgiving world.
Thomas Rainwater (Portrayed by Gil Birmingham)
Spinoff Premise: A Political and Cultural Battle for Sovereignty at Broken Rock
Thomas Rainwater’s leadership of the Broken Rock Reservation is a study in balancing tradition with modernity. A spinoff focusing on his fight for sovereignty could illuminate the tension between honoring ancestral legacies and navigating the complexities of contemporary politics.
Rainwater’s vision for his people—driven by his deep respect for history and sharp strategic mind—could anchor a series exploring themes of justice, identity, and the cost of leadership in a world that often resists change.
Lloyd Pierce (Portrayed by Forrie J. Smith)
Spinoff Premise: A Lifetime on the Ranch, Including Loyalty, Legacy, and the Cost of Devotion
Lloyd Pierce (portrayed by Forrie J. Smith) is the beating heart of the Yellowstone Ranch’s cowboy culture, a living testament to loyalty, resilience, and the sacrifices that come with a lifetime of devotion to the Dutton family. As the oldest ranch hand and one of the branded men, Lloyd embodies the weight of tradition and the complexities of living by an unspoken code.
A spinoff centered on Lloyd could peel back the layers of his stoic demeanor, exploring his youth, the circumstances that led him to the ranch, and the moments that shaped his unyielding allegiance to the Duttons. It could also delve into the challenges of aging in a physically demanding world, navigating changing dynamics with younger cowboys, and reflecting on the legacy he hopes to leave behind.
Through Lloyd’s eyes, viewers could experience a richer, grittier side of Yellowstone—one rooted in the quiet but profound sacrifices that often go unnoticed. His story could serve as a meditation on loyalty, loneliness, and the enduring allure of the cowboy way of life.
Walker (Portrayed by Ryan Bingham)
Spinoff Premise: A Musician’s Journey, Blending Art, Freedom, and Survival
Walker is the quintessential drifter—a man torn between his love for music and the harsh realities of survival. A spinoff following his departure from Yellowstone could chart his journey through dive bars, broken-down motels, and the occasional rodeo, capturing the romance and brutality of life on the margins.
Walker’s poetic sensibility and moral complexity would ground the series in themes of freedom, artistry, and the search for redemption, making it as lyrical as it is raw.
Teeter (Portrayed by Jennifer Landon)
Spinoff Premise: A Quirky and Heartfelt Look at Her Life Before Yellowstone
Teeter’s unapologetic spirit and razor-sharp wit make her a standout on Yellowstone. A spinoff exploring her life before joining the ranch could delve into the colorful, chaotic experiences that shaped her fiercely independent personality.
From dusty rodeos to rowdy honky-tonks, Teeter’s journey would be equal parts comedy and heart, a love letter to the misfits who carve out their own space in a world that often underestimates them.
Tate Dutton (Portrayed by Brecken Merrill)
Spinoff Premise: A Young Dutton’s Journey to Understanding His Family’s Legacy
As the youngest Dutton, Tate represents both the future of the ranch and the tension between two worlds—his Dutton lineage and his connection to the Broken Rock Reservation through his mother.
A spinoff following Tate into adolescence on the Broken Rock Reservation and young adulthood could explore his grappling with identity, responsibility, and what it means to carry the weight of a legacy that’s as much a burden as it is a birthright. His story is one of self-discovery, framed by the moral complexities that define the Duttons.
Angela Blue Thunder (Portrayed by Q’orianka Kilcher)
Spinoff Premise: A Politically Charged Tale of Activism and Power
Angela Blue Thunder’s sharp intellect and fierce determination make her one of the most compelling characters in Yellowstone’s ensemble. A spinoff centering on her activism could tackle the systemic challenges facing Native communities while exploring Angela’s strategic mind and unyielding resolve.
Her fight for justice—intertwined with her battles against internal and external forces—could offer a searing critique of power and a celebration of resilience, making her story both timely and timeless.