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Of the many things that makeYellowstonespecial is the chronicle of Rip and Beth. Despite the complex ups and downs that the Duttons have experienced, these two characters have endured and become a consistent, if not one of the most impressive, part of the series. Taylor Sheridan’s neo-Western offers a lot of variety, but Rip and Beth are the dynamic duo that people keep returning to.
In a different world and a different time, Cole Hauser might not have slipped into Rip Wheeler’s shoes and Kelly Reilly may not have been the muse for Sheridan’s teflon-coated heroine. As the season finale forYellowstoneapproaches, Hauser reveals that he came really close to nabbing a different part in the series, and it is very difficult to imagine Rip being played by anyone other than him.
YellowstoneWithout Cole Hauser as Rip Wheeler
Cole Hauser, in spite of his extensive works in Hollywood, has only now become synonymous with the character of Rip Wheeler inTaylor Sheridan‘sYellowstone.The cowboy tough guy who also poses as the head honcho of the bunkhouse evolved from a minor supporting character in the initial episode into one of the most crucial and fan-favorite aspects of the show in the next few.
However, Hauser revealed in an interview withExtraTVthat Rip – although his most favored choice – somewhat circled around the idea of nabbing the role of the eldest Dutton sibling, Lee, but stuck to Rip when it all boiled down to it. As fate would have it, Dave Annable ended up playing Lee whose short appearance as the eldest Dutton sibling ends with his violent death in the first episode itself, leaving him as a rare martyr on the show.
Taylor Sheridan Ruined the Biggest Surprise of Yellowstone Season 5 Part 2 and Wes Bentley’s Comment Won’t Hide the Montana-Sized Spoiler
Meanwhile, Cole Hauser grows into one of the most tangible and real characters, even more treasured and universally loved on the show than some of its central characters too. The growth and evolution that Hauser brings to his arc in the series is irreplicable and asYellowstoneprogresses, so does the admiration and fanfare surrounding Rip Wheeler.
Cole Hauser’s Legacy Stays Strong Till the End
As Rip Wheeler, Cole Hauser made an entire generation fall in love with him, and through him, the show itself. Taylor Sheridan’s brilliantly mapped-out arc forYellowstonemade it impossible to not find an impact of Hauser’s character in every plot and every episode. The overarching influence that Hauser has on the show is something that parallelsKelly Reilly‘s singular impact as Beth on the women of the world.
Recalling his part in the series and how he identified with Rip from the start, Hauser says:
That was the only character I cared about. There was some opportunity to play Lee at one point, but I told Taylor [Sheridan] and John Linson, I said, “This is the character I love.”I was only in a couple scenes so they were a little confused by it at first but I just thought if there is growth with him, the ceiling is the stars for him.
As time wore on, Hauser’s prediction about there being growth with the character came true. Not only did Rip quickly ascend as one of the strongest players on the chessboard but one with enough spine and loyalty to meander through the world of the Duttons.
Yellowstone Season 5’s Plot Could Take The Most Sinister Turn If One Loyal Character Turns Evil After a Heartbreaking Incident
In the end, Rip’s loyalty and dedication to John Dutton and Beth almost made his acts of crime look like declarations of pure love. Cole Hauser’s legacy as Rip Wheeler now stays alive through fans as they cry out for a Rip and Beth spin-off saga after the sun sets on Taylor Sheridan’sYellowstoneera.
YellowstoneSeason 5B premieres on Paramount+ on July 10, 2025.
Diya Majumdar
Senior Writer
Articles Published :2410
Diya Majumdar is a Senior Content Writer at FandomWire with over 2000 published articles on the website. Since 2022, she has been working as an entertainment journalist with a special focus on films and pop culture.Among the countless genres and themes of Hollywood, the ones that particularly favor Diya’s tastes include Game of Thrones, DC, and well-aged thrillers and classics.
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Cole HauserTaylor SheridanYellowstone
