After what feels like forever, Yellowstone is finally returning in November 2024 with new episodes, and although Kevin Costner won’t be around to reprise his role as John Dutton III, one other character is seemingly stepping up in his absence. The Paramount Network neo-Western drama, created by Taylor Sheridan and John Linson, debuted in 2018 and has been one of the most talked about TV shows ever since. Its popularity can partly be attributed to Costner’s star power. However, over the course of Yellowstone’s five seasons, fans have grown to love other characters, including one who will be John’s replacement.
Some of the most beloved Yellowstone characters (aside from Costner’s John) include Kelly Reilly as Beth Dutton, Cole Hauser as Rip Wheeler, Luke Grimes as Kayce Dutton, Forrie J. Smith as Lloyd Pierce, Gil Birmingham as Chief Thomas Rainwater, and so on. All of them will appear in Yellowstone season 5, part 2, and based on the trailer, one will accept the new role as the series’ male lead. Sheridan’s pick to replace John doesn’t come as a surprise, especially given past seasons and the franchise’s future.
Yellowstone Season 5, Part 2 First Teaser Focuses On Rip Wheeler
Cole Hauser Is Stepping Up In Kevin Costner’s Absence
Paramount released the first teaser trailer for Yellowstone season 5, part 2 in late August 2024, and the brief video solely focuses on Cole Hauser’s Rip Weeler. Consequently, it’s easy to make the assumption that Rip is stepping up following Kevin Costner’s Yellowst one exit. The clip shows Rip (through the reflection in a horse’s eye) carrying a rifle at the Yellowstone Dutton Ranch as he enters the family’s house. Hauser’s character doesn’t say anything, but the text in the video reads, “Generations of blood have led to this.”
Based on the fact that only Rip appears in the short Yellowstone season 5, part 2 teaser trailer, it seems as if he will be John Dutton III’s successor in the upcoming episodes. Rip’s involvement in the video (and not John’s kids — Beth, Kayce, and Jamie) suggests he is being set up to play a bigger role. Since Costner’s exit is widely known, it makes sense that the focus on Rip is to tease him stepping into John’s shoes in season 5, part 2.
Why Rip Is John’s Best Yellowstone Replacement
Rip & John Share Similar Traits
Cole Hauser will seemingly take center stage when Yellowstone season 5, part 2 premieres, which is undoubtedly the right move in the wake of Kevin Costner’s exit. The two actors’ characters share a lot in common, making Rip Wheeler the perfect person to replace John Dutton III. Both are fiercely loyal to their family and have similar morals. Rip has a strong sense of duty and an admirable code of honor that he lives by, and John’s respect for the younger man implies that he would be happy to hand over ownership of the ranch to his son-in-law.
Picking Rip to obtain a more significant role following [Kevin] Costner’s departure should satisfy the audience while still doing justice to the neo-Western drama’s story.
Plus, it helps that Rip is widely beloved by fans, similar to John. If anyone is to succeed Costner’s character in the upcoming Yellowstone episodes, many will likely be happy that it’s Rip. So, picking Rip to obtain a more significant role following Costner’s departure should satisfy the audience while still doing justice to the neo-Western drama’s story. Of course, Yellowstone season 5, part 2, will have to explain why John is gone first before allowing Rip to become the show’s male lead.
Yellowstone Season 6 Report Supports Rip Being John’s Successor Theory
Paramount Is Reportedly Reversing Its Yellowstone Cancelation
Although Paramount previously canceled the series, Yellowstone season 6 is reportedly happening. As many know, the Taylor Sheridan TV show was scheduled to end following the conclusion of season 5, but that’s no longer the case. Despite the lack of an official announcement, it sounds like the network is turning the previously announced sequel series starring Cole Hauser as Rip Wheeler and Kelly Reilly as Beth Dutton into season 6. If this is true, Rip being John Dutton’s replacement makes sense as he is evidently set to take on a bigger role in the rumored Yellowstone season 6.