Finn Little, Natalie Alyn Lind on ‘Dutton Ranch’ romance and love of Fort Worth
Finn Little and Natalie Alyn Lind’s “Dutton Ranch” characters have been put through the ringer this season.
Little reprises his “Yellowstone” role of Carter on the Paramount+ series that follows Beth Dutton and Rip Wheeler as they leave Montana for the fictional South Texas town of Rio Paloma. Lind plays a new character to the universe — Oreana — the granddaughter of a rich ranch owner who has a lot of growing up to do.
In the “Dutton Ranch” series premiere, Carter saves Oreana from her ex-boyfriend and the pair start a relationship for much of the season.
However, things take a turn after Carter confesses his love for Oreana as she appears to not fully feel the same way. Carter further complicates things in last week’s episode, when he drunkly tears an animal mount off the wall during Oreana’s grandmother’s big party at the 10-Petal Ranch.
This week’s episode, “Whiskey Limits,” out on Friday, June 26, sees Carter and Oreana both reckon with their choices.
Ahead of the episode, the Star-Telegram spoke to both Little and Lind about their characters’ motivations and if they can come back together. There’s also some chatter about the duo’s experience in Fort Worth while making “Dutton Ranch.”
This interview has been edited for clarity and length. Spoilers for “Dutton Ranch” episodes 1-8 below.
Star-Telegram: When I spoke to both of you during the “Dutton Ranch” virtual press day last month, the show had not come out yet. Now, seven weeks into this show being out there, how are you both feeling about the show and the reception so far?
Finn Little: Been pretty great. I mean, I don’t see a lot of the online side of it, but I’ve got mates in Australia who watch the show, so I get my criticism from them. They seem to be liking it. So, I’d say that’s a good sign for me.
Natalie Alyn Lind: People either love my character or hate my character, and I’m so happy about that. That has been my entire world. It’s so crazy to just see how much people have loved the show, because for me, I wasn’t in the original “Yellowstone,” so Finn can speak on this. But going into a new chapter of a show, there’s always that hesitation of not wanting to mess up the original, so seeing how much people actually love this show for what it is, and how it is separate from “Yellowstone” is the most rewarding feeling of all time.
We miss Fort Worth though. Are you in Fort Worth right now?
S-T: Yes, I am. Before we get into episode 8, I wanted to ask you both about episode 5. I spoke with your castmate Berto Colón, who plays Miguel, a few weeks ago and I asked him about filming scenes at Dwight’s ranch with the live jaguar, Xena. How was that experience for y’all?
FL: That was pretty awesome. I’ve worked with some animals before, and I’d say working with animals is always a highlight. Yeah, that jaguar was scary, though. When it started growling, I just thought about, imagine being in some pitch black forest, you can’t even see your hand in front of your face. Hearing that growl, that was bone chilling, but working with the jaguar was awesome.
NAL: For me, when I was reading the script, I feel like I had to go back two or three times and be like, “Wait, jaguar? Okay, this is happening.” Then there was an entire situation where it was supposed to be filmed at the beginning, like you guys ended up filming scenes later, because there had to be an entire like an enclosure built for the jaguar, right? I think that those scenes were pushed a little bit.
FL: Yeah, I think they were pushed a bit.
NAL: Like I read the [script], I think it was episode five that the jaguar first comes in, and I said to Finn, “I’m so jealous that you get to work with the jaguar.” Then they had to push that. By the time the jaguar came in, I was in those scenes. I was like, “Oh, yes, I get to work with the jaguar.” Xena was beautiful. Xena was awesome.
S-T: Finn, in this episode you’re doing something that I’ve never seen you do before, and that’s play both drunk and hungover. I mean this sincerely, that’s something that can very much be overplayed, but it feels right in the show. When it came to approaching how to play those feelings, what were you thinking about?
FL: I was thinking about actually just getting drunk, but I didn’t end up doing that. I had to kind of, on the day, was like, “Oh, [expletive].” No, that was a little nerve-wracking for me to do, and the anticipation of the episode coming out. But yeah, I’ve watched it, I think I did all right with it. I’m happy with how it came out. It was really fun to play, because after every single take, I’m acting completely slosh drunk. Then everyone calls cut, and you got to act normal. Some extras on set were laughing. Some of the crew was having a good laugh at it. Yeah, there were some fun days on set.
S-T: Natalie, correct me if I’m wrong, but I believe this is the first time you and Juan Pablo Raba have shared the screen this season. I think it’s interesting that Oreana speaks to both Joaquin (Raba) and Rob-Will (Jai Courtney) in this episode as they’re both vying for the ranch from Beulah (Annette Bening). In Oreana’s eyes, is there a person that’s right to run the 10-Petal?
NAL: Oreana [laughs]. No, I’m gonna say that naturally. I mean, at this stage, I think that there are upsides and downsides to both. I think that that’s what makes the show so interesting is the perception and the rightful owner. I mean, it’s this plot of land that’s been in their family for so long. I think that the upside of Rob-Will running the ranch is that he’s a real cowboy, so he understands what it takes to run it. Then there’s the business side of it through Joaquin.
Then I don’t know if Oreana is necessarily tapped into who she is as a person, I’m not sure if she’s shown that yet. Maybe Oreana, I don’t know. I think that she has some growing up to do before she’s at that point, but I do think that women run things very well. I was kind of joking when I said Oreana, but the more that I’m talking, I actually think Oreana [laughs]. Oreana and Carter.
S-T: Speaking of the Jackson family, it’s good to have Rob-Will back in the mix as we’re learning more about him and his dynamic with Oreana. One thing we don’t know is where Oreana’s mother is. Is that something you want to explore in the future? And do you know the answer of where she is?
NAL: I do. I do know the answer. Before we started the show, we were able to sit down with the creative team, and I know where Oreana was when she was 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 years old. For a hopeful season 2, I’m really excited for people to know more about that backstory, and I think it’s going to explain a lot about season 1.
S-T: Finn, Carter is in a bad place at the end of this episode as he rides off from Beth and Rip’s care. He tried to be a cowboy and it didn’t work out for him this episode. What does happiness look like for Carter?
FL: What does happiness look like for him? Wow, that’s a loaded question. I don’t know. I think deep down he appreciates what Beth and Rip have done for him, and I think deep down he does want to be a cowboy. He tries to model himself as best as he can off of John Dutton (Kevin Costner) and Rip Wheeler, them being his idols. I think happiness involves those two things, having his family and being able to cowboy. Yeah, just not sure how he’s going to get there, and how much he’ll have to go through [and] what he’ll have to do to achieve that goal in his life.
S-T: Well, you both don’t share any scenes together in episode 8, but Oreana does ask Beth how Carter is doing. It’s interesting this notion of saving someone and how Carter saves Oreana in the premiere, and now it seems like Carter needs saving from himself. Is there anyway we can get these crazy kids back together?
FL: I think we can figure it out.
NAL: I think that they have a very complex relationship for people at their age, and I think that both of their backgrounds and both of their families have put them in these positions where they don’t know who they are as individuals, so figuring out together as a couple is very complicated, but I think that they have this emotional connection that it’s very interesting to tap into, and I think it’s something that connects them. I am just going to leave that up to episode 9, though, to finish that question.
FL: I might have to say the same thing, because that’s kind of the question that leads into episode 9, so I can’t say too much there. I think people are very protective over Carter, so I think some of the fan base is not a very big fan of Oreana, but I think there’s something there.
S-T: I know what the fans think, but if the love is there, and they feel it, that’s something that should matter to them.
FL: Yeah, I don’t think Carter and Oreana are really reading the Instagram comments. I think they’re just focused on loving each other.
NAL: I think the Instagram comments would force Oreana to be even more excited.
S-T: You mentioned episode 9, the season finale. What can y’all tease about that?
NAL: Expect the unexpected. Reading episode 9 for me personally, I was like, “Wait, what happens?” I personally, being part of the show and reading all the prior episodes, I think that everything that was kind of set up throughout the entire season was taken and just kind of crunched together and thrown out the window. It’s definitely going to be an episode that leaves everybody on their toes. It’s a major cliffhanger, and yeah, that’s what I would say. What would you say, Finn?
FL: I’d say there’s a little bit of a cliffhanger element to it. I’d say there’s just some big surprises, and I think it’ll keep people very interested for a possible season 2. Editor’s note: This interview took place on Tuesday, June 23, a day before the show was renewed for season 2.
S-T: I know you guys had a great time here in Texas making the show. Is there anything that y’all took from the experience that’s still stuck with you?
NAL: For me, Fort Worth was like a sense of community. I mean, I lived in two different spots throughout filming, and I became best friends with both of my neighbors. There’s so many vast, beautiful landscapes throughout Fort Worth that you just wouldn’t expect by driving 30 minutes, like in either direction. I mean, it’s such an incredible city. Seriously, I’ve had such a great time eating there, meeting people there, just genuinely living. I absolutely love Fort Worth.
FL: Yeah, I’m very excited to get back to Fort Worth. I think compared to “Yellowstone” being filmed in Montana, the people are very protective over their land, rightfully so. I’d say Texas, I hope this doesn’t offend anyone from Montana, because I very much enjoyed my time there, but the people in Texas, the hospitality, people are thrilled with it. We’re just happy to be there.
S-T: I’ve talked to several “Dutton Ranch” cast members and they all enjoyed their time here.
NAL: The one thing that’s hard to adjust to is the heat. I’m gonna say that, like if there’s one part. But once you adjust to the heat, then it’s like it’s the best place ever. But it does feel good to, like, sweat it all out. You just have to accept sweating during some of the summertime.
S-T: Especially if you’re here during July and August.
NAL: Yeah, that’s when we started the show. That was our introduction, and I grew to love it. But it was definitely like, I’m from LA and half Canadian, so I’m used to a lot of cold or very mediocre kind of 70-degree weather. But, hey, I love the heat now.
S-T: Last thing for y’all: Is there anything on your list that you didn’t check out while in Fort Worth or North Texas that you want to if the show comes back for season 2?
FL: I didn’t get a lot of barbecue in. I need to go to some more barbecue spots, I reckon. That’s a Texas staple.
NAL: I got too much barbecue in [laughs]. I think that in Fort Worth specifically, I don’t know. I’m trying to think if there’s like one specific thing that I did. We had like so many time periods where it was like so on and so off. I did a lot of exploring when I was there. Is there any suggestions that you have that we have to try that maybe we haven’t?
S-T: I assume that you’ve been to the Stockyards already?
NAL: Been to the Stockyards. I lived at the Stockyards for the first month of being in Texas, so I’ve explored every inch of the stockyards.
S-T: There’s a street called Magnolia that has a lot of cool restaurants and shops on it.
NAL: I used to live right off Magnolia, so love that. What’s your favorite restaurant?
S-T: That’s a great question. There’s a Mexican restaurant in south Fort Worth called La Casa de Lina that does great breakfast.
NAL: I haven’t tried that. There’s my answer. That’s what I’m excited for [laughs].
“Dutton Ranch” airs Fridays via Paramount+ and the Paramount Network.
