Stockyards, tacos, sushi: What the stars of ‘Dutton Ranch’ love about Fort Worth
North Texas served as the backdrop for new “Yellowstone” spinoff “Dutton Ranch,” which sees Beth Dutton and Rip Wheeler move to the Lone Star State.
The new series will premiere its first two episodes via Paramount+ and the Paramount Network on Friday, May 15. The show will then air weekly episodes on Fridays through early July.
“Dutton Ranch” filmed in and around the North Texas region from August 2025 to March, spending time in Ferris, Boyd, Cleburne, Weatherford, Dallas, Rio Vista, Fort Worth and Mineral Wells.
Ahead of the show’s premiere, the Star-Telegram spoke to a few cast members about their time in Texas. Here’s what they said.
‘Dutton Ranch’ stars reflect on filming in Texas
Australian actor Finn Little, who reprises his “Yellowstone” role of Carter, said making “Dutton Ranch” in Texas was a complete switch from what he’s used to.
Little spent much of his time in his two “Yellowstone” seasons filming in Montana, and called Texas the “polar opposite” of the Treasure State. That’s not to say he didn’t have a good time in Texas; in fact, he enjoyed the people and cuisine.
“[In] a lot of Taylor [Sheridan] universe shows, the land itself plays a character,” he said. “Making [’Dutton Ranch’] in Texas was awesome.”
Natalie Alyn Lind, who plays Carter’s romantic interest Oreana, found Fort Worth to be an “awesome city.”
Admittedly, she wasn’t expecting to love it as much as she did and said the city has a lot to offer, from restaurants to nightlife.
“It’s so fun to be in an environment where there’s a city, and the 20 minutes away, you can just be with farmland,” Lind said. “There’s so much nature that’s involved with Texas and especially Fort Worth.”
Marc Menchaca, who plays Rip and Beth ally Zachariah, is from San Angelo and one of the few Texans on the show.
He lived in Weatherford and Granbury while filming “Dutton Ranch,” and said his wife (and fellow actor) Lena Headey was taken aback by the place and the people.
“I was out at the ranch every day I could be,” Menchaca said. “As far as the impact it had, it was huge. Just getting to really be in it for that whole time.”
Columbian actor Juan Pablo Raba, who plays rival ranch worker Joaquin, said he knew virtually nothing about Texas before going there.
He was pleasantly surprised by the “Texas hospitality” of the locals, who showed him such openness and politeness.
“It was a really, really, really, really enjoyable eight months of my life,” Raba said.
‘Dutton Ranch’ stars on their favorite North Texas restaurants
When it came to their favorite North Texas spots, the “Dutton Ranch” cast had plenty to offer.
Lind and Menchaca both pointed to Hatsuyuki Handroll Bar as a favorite for sushi. The Foch Street restaurant is also a favorite among the cast of other Taylor Sheridan-universe shows like “Lioness” and “Landman.”
Cattlemen’s Steak House, Lonesome Dove Western Bistro and anything in the Stockyards, were also among Lind’s favorites. Little said he went to a “really good” Mexican restaurant that he couldn’t remember the name of.
Menchaca also mentioned Christina’s American Table in Granbury as a go-to, along with Cafecito on West Magnolia for its tacos. Raba said he’s an avid mountain biker and spent a lot of his time on the trails in Sansom Park.
Another highlight for Raba is a business many Fort Worthians know well.
“The most amazing market I’ve ever been to in my life is Central Market in Fort Worth,” Raba said. “That was like my playground.”
“Dutton Ranch” premieres May 15 on Paramount+ and the Paramount Network.
