'Yellowstone' Spinoff 'Dutton Ranch' Announces Shocking Departure Three Weeks Before Premiere
It seems, when it comes to Dutton Ranch, all is not quiet on the Western front. Three weeks before its May 15 premiere, it was announced that Chad Feehan, who served as showrunner for the first season, would not be returning should the Yellowstone spinoff get renewed.
Feehan is also credited as the creator of the new series. Though, of course, the show itself primarily utilizes characters created by Taylor Sheridan and John Linson on the iconic Wyoming drama that ran from 2018 to 2024. Specifically, the show centers on Beth (Kelly Reilly) and Rip (Cole Hauser), and the two actors also serve as executive producers.
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Per a report from Puck, Feehan's dismissal allegedly comes from major feelings of dissatisfaction behind-the-scenes. Apparently, myriad individuals, including Reilly, Hauser, Sheridan and 101 Studios boss David Glasser, were unsatisfied with how he had handled production over the course of Dutton Ranch's nine-episode season (of which he is credited with writing at least two of them).
This is just the latest shake-up when it comes to bosses in the Sheridan shared universe. In November 2025, Variety reported that Tulsa King would go into production on an upcoming Season 4 with no actual showrunner, having fired more than two dozen employees. Instead, Scott Stone, an executive in charge of production from 101 Studios, was put in charge to oversee the show day-to-day on set. And a spinoff of the Sylvester Stallone-led series, Frisco King (previously known as NOLA King), also dismissed former Tulsa King showrunnerDave Erickson back in July 2025.
Related: ‘Dutton Ranch' Trailer: Paramount+ Unveils Release Date For Beth-Rip ‘Yellowstone' Spin-Off
The official synopsis for Dutton Ranch, which is set to air on both Paramount Network and Paramount+, reads, "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. In South Texas, blood runs deeper, forgiveness is fleeting, and the cost of survival might just be your soul."
Dutton Ranch additionally stars Finn Little, who reprises his Yellowstone role as Carter, a troubled orphan whom Beth takes in at the ranch. New actors to the universe include Annette Bening as Beulah Jackson, Ed Harris as Everett McKinney, Jai Courtney as Rob-Will, J. R. Villarreal as Azul, Juan Pablo Raba as Joaquin, Marc Menchaca as Zachariah and Natalie Alyn Lind as Oreana.
The first two episodes of Dutton Ranch are set to air on May 15 on Paramount+, followed by a broadcast airing that night at 8 p.m. ET/PT on Paramount Network. One episode per week will air thereafter, coming to a conclusion on July 3. The spinoff has yet to be renewed for a second season. But now we know, if it is, there will be a different person getting in the saddle to herd the proverbial cattle.
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This story was originally published April 24, 2026 at 11:54 AM.