I’m a pretty massive fan of Taylor Sheridan’s Yellowstone. A sprawling epic, this show tracks the fortunes of the Dutton family, led by patriarch John (Kevin Costner), who owns the biggest ranch in the United States. Bordering Native reservations, he’s in constant conflict with tribal Chief Thomas Rainwater (Gil Birmingham). Still, the two may have a common enemy in the form of the big corporations who, themselves, are looking to seize the land.
I was lucky enough to speak with most of the cast last week following the season four premiere. Note – there are some spoilers for the first episode so if you haven’t dug in yet, maybe come back to these interviews later. First up was Cole Hauser, who plays fan-favourite Rip. The tough foreman, he’s the one often called to do the family’s dirty work, and he’s a surrogate son to John, as well as Beth’s (Kelly Reilly) devoted partner. Hauser is always a blast to talk to, and he seems tickled by the fact that I dig Rip’s darker, more violent moments so much (there’s a great one right at the end of the premiere).
Next up was the extremely friendly (and down-to-earth) Kelsey Asbille, who plays Monica, Kaycee’s (Luke Grimes) wife. This season, Monica finds herself torn between her people (she’s Native American) and her ties to the Dutton family, especially as far as her son Tate goes. In the premiere, Tate was forced to kill an intruder to save his mother, and the fall-out from this heavily affects Monica’s arc this season.
I also spoke to the always awesome Gil Birmingham, who plays Chief Rainwater. During our interviews, he teased a deepening relationship between him and the trio of Monica-Kaycee-Tate, in the wake of all the violence on the Yellowstone ranch.
Finally, I spoke to the great Wes Bentley, who plays the wayward, adopted son Jamie, who Beth thinks is behind the attack on the family that left her scarred both mentally and physically. Bentley couldn’t give too much away, but he teased some real fireworks coming with Beth later this season.
Have you been watching Yellowstone? Let us know in the comments below!
The comment section exists to allow readers to discuss the article constructively and respectfully, focused on the topic at hand.
What’s Not Allowed