Yellowstoneis a neo-Western drama television series that was created by Taylor Sheridan and John Linson. Taylor Sheridan makes a guest appearance in eight episodes as cowboy, Travis Wheatley.
The series centers around the Dutton family, owners of the largest ranch in Montana, the Yellowstone Dutton Ranch, commonly called “the Yellowstone” who defend their property against constant attacks by land developers, a Native American reservation, and America’s first National Park.
It was announced that the fifth season would be its last and would be released in two parts. The first part of the fifth season premiered in November 2022 and the second part is expected to premiere in November 2023. Yellowstone will be followed bya sequel series starring Matthew McConaughey. Here is what you need to know about the cast and characters ofYellowstone.
Kevin Costner as John Dutton lll
Kevin Costnerstars as John Dutton lll, a sixth-generation homesteader and devoted father who controls the largest contiguous ranch in the United States. Josh Lucas portrays a young John Dutton in the series.
John Dutton was married to Evelyn, who is buried on the Yellowstone Ranch and the two had four children, three sons and a daughter. John operates in a corrupt world wherepoliticians are compromisedby influential oil and lumber corporations. Before his father, John Dutton ll, died of cancer, he urged him to never give up the ranch to anyone under any circumstances.
Kevin Costner received a Screen Actors Guild Award nomination and a Golden Globe Award for starring as John Dutton in the Yellowstone series. Costner is also known for his roles inThe Body Guard,Dances With Wolves,The Guardian,Hidden Figures,andThe Highwaymen.
Kelly Reilly as Beth Dutton
Kelly Reillyportrays Bethany “Beth” Dutton-Wheeler, as the fiercely loyal daughter of John and Evelyn Dutton. The cutthroat businesswoman will do anything to protect her family’s land and reputation.
Beth lives with the guilt following an accident during a horse ride, that left Beth’s mother dying from the injury, and accuses Beth of being to blame. Later in her teen years, Beth reaches out to Jamie to help her with an unexpected pregnancy however, Jamie’s help leads to shape their tense relationship.
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Nominated for a Laurence Olivier Award for her performance inAfter Miss Julie, Kelly Reilly is also known for her roles inSherlock Holmes,Flight,Calvary,Pride and Prejudice, andEden Lake.
Cole Hauser as Rip Wheeler
Cole Hauserstars as Rip Wheeler, the long-time ranch foreman for the Dutton family ranch and Beth Dutton’s husband. Rip considers the Duttons his family and is willing to do anything they ask of him. As an Orphan, Rip is found hiding in a barn covered in cuts and blood. After learning that he killed his abusive stepfather after he brutally murdered the rest of the family, John Dutton decides to take Rip in as a farmhand.
Cole Hauser is best known for his roles inSchool Ties,Dazed and Confused,Good Will Hunting, and 2 Fast 2 Furious.
Luke Grimes as Kayce Dutton
Luke Grimesplays Kayce Dutton, John and Evelyn Dutton’s son. John and Kayce have a complex and tense relationship and John begins to regret the emotional distance between them. Kayce served in the United States Navyas a Navy SEALand while on a mission in Pakistan, he had to do unspeakable things to protect himself.
After returning home from the mission, Kayce lived on the Broken Rock Reservation with his wife Monica and their son Tate. Later in the series, Kayce, Monica, and Tate move to the Yellowstone ranch and John appoints Kayce as the new foreman of the ranch, causing tension between Kayce and Rip.
Luke Grimes is known for appearing as Ryan Lafferty in the family dramaBrothers & Sisters.Grimes is also known for roles inAmerican Sniper,True Blood,Fifty Shades of Grey, andTaken 2.
Wes Bentley as Jamie Dutton
Wes Bentleyportrays Jamie Dutton, considered the black sheep of the family and the adopted son of John and Evelyn Dutton. Jamie has a complex relationship with both John and Beth. When Beth and Jamie were teenagers, Jamie made a decision that affected Beth for the rest of her life.
After Jamie learns he was adopted, he confronts his birth father, Garrett Randall who spent nearly 30 years in prison for murdering his wife, Jamie’s birth mother. Garrett claims he killed Jamie’s mother to give Jamie a better life, that didn’t include drugs.
Earning a nomination for the BAFTA Award for Supporting Actor, Wes Bentley is best known for starring as Ricky Fitts inAmerican Beauty. Bentley is also known for his part inThe Hunger Games,American Horror Story,Hotel, andInterstellar.
Kelsey Asbille as Monica Dutton
Kelsey Asbillestars as Monica Dutton, a Native American and lifelong resident of Broken Rock Indian Reservation. Monica’s marriage to Kayce Dutton puts the couple in a difficult position between the Yellowstone Ranch and the Native Americans of Broken Rock Indian Reservation.
Monica worked as a faculty member at a Middle School and later ended up taking a job at Montana State University. After attempting to break up a fight at school, Monica suffers from atraumatic brain injury. Later while living on the Ranch, Monica’s fears for the safety of her and Tate are heightened after she witnesses the aftermath of Beth’s assault, learning what happens when you’re involved in the Dutton family business.
Kelsey Asbille is known for her role in the Disney XD sitcomPair of Kings. Asbille also had recurring roles in the television seriesOne Tree Hill,Teen Wolf, andFargo.
Brecken Merrill as Tate Dutton
Brecken Merrillplays Tate Dutton, the son of Monica and Kayce Dutton and John’s grandson. Tate is the youngest member of the Dutton family and has been growing up on an Indian reservation. Tate endures more trauma than most characters during the series including abduction, killing a grown man in self-defense, and witnessing the loss of his baby brother.
Brecken Merrill’s breakout role was portraying Tate Dutton inYellowstone. Merrill is also known for his roles inThis Is UsandLifeline.
Gil Birmingham as Thomas Rainwater
Gil Birminghamportrays Tribal Chairman Thomas Rainwater, awealthy casinomogul and the chief of the Broken Rock Reservation. Rainwater is the owner of the Painted Horse Casino with the desire to reclaim the land that his ancestors lost and take the Yellowstone Dutton Ranch.
Gil Birmingham is known for his portrayal of Billy Black in theTwilightfranchise. Birmingham is also known for his roles inUnbreakable Kimmy Schmidt,Hell or High Water,House of Cards, andAnimal Kingdom.
Jefferson White as Jimmy Hurdstrom
Jefferson Whitestars as Jimmy Hurdstrom, who was a professional thief who used to provide drugs for two drug dealers. Jimmy becomes a ranch hand at Yellowstone Ranch and is thrown into the world of cowboys, horses, and cattle.
While learning the ropes of working on the ranch, Jimmy findsa passion for rodeo, however, when he is severely injured in a competition, John makes Jimmy swear that there will never be any more rodeo for him. After going against his word to John, Jimmy is sent to another ranch with Travis Wheatley to learn how to be a cowboy.
Jefferson White first made his television debut onThe Americansand later appeared inBlue Bloods,How to Get Away with Murder,Elementary, andLaw & Order: Special Victims Unit.
Forrie J. Smith as Lloyd Pierce
Forrie J. Smithappears as Lloyd Pierce, the oldest and wisest ranch handler on the Yellowstone Dutton Ranch. Lloyd is one of the branded men which means he was givena second chancein life to work on the Dutton Ranch and received a brand on his chest as a reminder. In theYellowstoneseries, Forrie J. Smith’s son Forrest Wilder, portrays a young Lloyd.
Forrie J. Smith is a real-life cowboy and stuntman who began competing in the rodeo at age 8. Smith is known for his roles in2 Guns,Hell or High Water, andRambo lll.
