
Rather than continue with Yellowstone season 6, Taylor Sheridan concluded his flagship with the season 5 finale. The enormously popular show ended abruptly after Kevin Costner’s Yellowstone exit, which caused the show to end without its gritty yet beloved protagonist. Controversy surrounded Costner’s leaving the show permanently, reportedly due to a lack of terms that worked for all parties. Rather than continue without its lead, Sheridan opted for a Yellowstone continuation with Beth and Rip, but a new casting update further muddles the divide between it and Yellowstone season 6.
Beth & Rip’s Spinoff Having A “Kevin Costner Type” Sounds More Like Yellowstone Season 6
Beth And Rip’s Spinoff Is Looking For A Kevin Costner Replacement
A new report revealed that Beth and Rip’s Yellowstone spinoff will reportedly begin filming this summer (via Puck). The report also suggested that the offshoot was “looking to cast a Kevin Costner type that is definitely not Costner to join them.” While it was exciting to get an update that the offshoot would quickly get off the ground, it suggests Taylor Sheridan wants a cast dynamic similar to Yellowstone‘s and is looking for someone to replace Costner. Therefore, Beth and Rip’s spinoff is one step closer to being a blatant Yellowstone continuation rather than a unique project.
There will be apparent separations between the new Beth and Rip spinoff character and Costner’s. John Dutton was Beth’s father and Rip’s father figure, so it’s impossible to replace John Dutton’s dynamic with that of his most loyal family members. Therefore, the “Kevin Costner type” being scouted for the offshoot will inevitably have a different role in the love birds’ lives since no one can replace the parent John was to them both, and whoever Sheridan casts in the offshoot will likely be associated with Beth and Rip’s ranch outside Dillon, Montana, instead. Still, the casting is formulaic.
Beth & Rip’s Spinoff Just Being Yellowstone Season 6 Is Already A Contentious Point
Beth And Rip’s Spinoff Legally Can’t Become Yellowstone Season 6
By producing Beth and Rip’s continuation as a spinoff, Paramount+ can stream the show.
It was an obvious choice to continue the Dutton family’s story with its strongest remaining characters: Beth and Rip. Still, according to another Puck report, packaging the Yellowstone story as a separate project and calling it something else could spark legal battles arguing the difference between Yellowstone season 6 and Beth and Rip’s spinoff. By producing Beth and Rip’s continuation as a spinoff, Paramount+ can stream the show. The decision would reportedly cause Peacock’s parent company to take action since the continuation of Yellowstone under a separate name seems to avoid the issue purposefully and gives Paramount+ exclusive streaming rights.
It’s Understandable Taylor Sheridan Would Want To Repeat Yellowstone’s Formula
Taylor Sheridan’s Work Has A Formula
While everyone’s ranking would be slightly different, these 10 Dutton family members from 1883, 1923, and Yellowstone stand out as fantastic.
While 1883 and 1923 follow James and Jacob Dutton with their partners, respectively, all of Sheridan’s shows have younger, compelling protagonists that fearlessly take on the world and resemble another walk of life and a fresh perspective. Elsa Dutton (Isabel May) represented this in 1883, and Spencer Dutton represented it in 1923. Beth and Rip work as counterparts to John Dutton’s more reserved, wise protagonist, and Kevin Costner’s Yellowstone exit was the only reason the show couldn’t continue. So, it makes sense to preserve what worked. In Beth and Rip’s case, that entails bringing in an older and wiser figure.
Beth and Rip will be in an entirely new setting, surrounded by fresh faces.
Beth & Rip’s Spinoff Not Just Being Yellowstone Season 6 Would Be More Exciting
Beth And Rip’s Spinoff Must Be Unique
While it makes sense to stick to what works, veering away from Yellowstone season 6 as much as possible is the most intriguing way to continue Beth and Rip’s story, and a John Dutton-type figure compromises this. While they all utilize some version of Taylor Sheridan’s casting formula, the Yellowstone spinoffs are arguably the best shows in the franchise, and that’s because 1883 and 1923 are entirely separate projects. They add perspective to the flagship show while not attempting to draw a straight line between the stories, aside from similar themes and connecting the lines of the Dutton family tree.
Yellowstone’s latest spinoff with Beth and Rip must avoid being season 6 of Taylor Sheridan’s flagship, not because of the anticipated legal battle.