Yellowstone's Cole Hauser Reflects on 'Polarizing' Rip and Beth's Love Story
Cole Hauser reflected on developing such a successful love story with Rip and Beth on Yellowstone that it has now launched its own spinoff, Dutton Ranch.
"They're so flawed. I think the audience loves to see flawed people, and they're real that way," Hauser, 51, exclusively told Us Weekly at the Dutton Ranch red carpet premiere in New York City on Tuesday, May 12.
Hauser praised creator Taylor Sheridan, adding, "[He] created such polarizing but colorful characters."
While celebrating the launch of Paramount+'s highly anticipated new show, Hauser called it "an honor to play" Rip and "an honor to work with" his costar Kelly Reilly, who plays Beth. "I love her dearly," he gushed to Us.
Yellowstone viewers were introduced to Rip and Beth's epic romance when the show premiered in 2018. Over the years, fans have been rooting for the fictional couple as they weathered various relationship obstacles, family drama and the challenges of helping run the Dutton Ranch.
After the original series came to an end in 2024, Sheridan, 55, expanded the Yellowstone universe with CBS' Marshals and now Paramount+'s Dutton Ranch, which premieres on Friday, May 15, and follows Rip and Beth - as well as their son, Carter (Finn Little) - as they adjust to life in Texas after their time in Montana.
Dutton Ranch will introduce some new characters played by Annette Bening and Ed Harris. Other newcomers include Jai Courtney, Natalie Alyn Lind, Marc Menchaca, Juan Pablo Raba and J. R. Villarreal.
"As Beth and Rip fight to build a future together - far from the ghosts of Yellowstone - they collide with brutal new realities and a ruthless rival ranch that will stop at nothing to protect its empire," reads the show's synopsis. "In South Texas, blood runs deeper, forgiveness is fleeting, and the cost of survival might just be your soul."
Before the show's premiere, Reilly, 48, reflected on her own love for the world of Yellowstone.
"I love gearing up to play [Beth], because there's an adrenaline to Beth and it's very energizing. But it's also incredibly gnarly. I have to hide all of me away to put some of that on. I love her, but I can't live with her," she told Town & Country in November 2024 ahead of the Yellowstone series finale. "It's not just about playing strong, capable women. That's missing the point. Male characters can be messy, but they can still be heroic. Full spectrum. And I think there is a bravery to embracing shadow. How can you be an honest person if you don't own some of your darkness?"
Reilly then took to social media to reflect on Beth's journey - thus far.
"Whatever the future holds this is the ending of the show we have been making for the past 7 years," she wrote via Instagram at the time. "Words cannot convey how I feel about the people I got to work and create with over the seasons . I have made true life long friends. The support from the crew and the trust and dedication of the cast. The words I got to say and the woman I got to inhabit. It changed me. It lit me up. It challenged me in every way possible and I will forever be grateful for it."
Reilly issued a message to Sheridan for taking "a chance" on her, adding, "[He] continued to write [Beth] in ways I got to feel on fire as an actor. Thank you Taylor. Thank you the audience we made it for, for being on this journey with us. We really cared about making something special for you all."
Dutton Ranch premieres on Paramount+ Friday, May 15.
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This story was originally published May 13, 2026 at 12:15 PM.