Cole Hauser delved into his Yellowstone character Rip Wheeler — from the “intense qualities,” to his “beautiful, heartfelt moments” — and teased what to expect next in the smash hit series.
Yellowstone was created by Taylor Sheridan and John Linson. The epic Western drama focuses on “a ranching family in Montana (facing) off against others enriching on their land,” per IMDb. The series premiered in 2018. The second part of Season 5 is slated to arrive on Sunday, November 10. Hauser plays Wheeler in the star-studded cast, which also includes Luke Grimes (Kayce Dutton), Kelly Reilly (Beth Dutton), Wes Bentley (Jamie Dutton), Kelsey Asbille (Monica Dutton) and others. Reigning ACM and CMA Entertainer of the Year Lainey Wilson previously made her acting debut on the show. Kevin Costner, who played John Dutton, confirmed his departure from the show earlier this year.
Hauser said of Wheeler in an interview on CBS Mornings, “in talking to Taylor [Sheridan] and spending a lot of time with him, I saw a character that had growth, and who could grow through the seasons. And so, I liked the fact that he was the enforcer. But there was something that was very kind of beautiful that he wrote as far as his love for Beth — and the family, for that matter — and John Dutton.
“So much of this year is about picking up the pieces and moving forward, and there’s a big responsibility on Rip to help run the ranch and also support Beth and the family. So, it’s a different year. I think Taylor wrote an unbelievable year. I’m really excited for the audience to see it,” he went on to say, later adding: “What’s great about Rip is he has these intense qualities. he also has these beautiful, heartfelt moments with Beth that I really thank Taylor and his writings for doing that because he’s the first that kind of saw both sides and be able to mold him into one character.”
Paramount+ confirmed earlier this year that Yellowstone will return on Sunday, November 10 at 8 p.m. ET/PT. Find Hauser’s full CBS Mornings interview here.