Cole Hauser Believes Ed Harris Was Used “Very Sparingly” In Season 1 Of “Dutton Ranch”
on Jul 21, 2026
Esteemed actor Ed Harris entered the Yellowstone universe when he joined the cast of the spin-off series Dutton Ranch. Harris plays Everett McKinney, a Vietnam War veteran and veterinarian who becomes one of Beth Dutton and Rip Wheeler’s allies in Texas.
It didn’t take long for Everett to become a fan-favorite character on the show. Viewers have been left hoping he’ll play an even larger part in the second season, which is slated to start filming in 2027.
RELATED: “DUTTON RANCH” STAR KELLY REILLY EXPLAINS WHY A PIECE OF BETH “HAD TO DIE”
Cole Hauser, who plays Rip, also appears to be one of Everett’s biggest fans. He once shared his belief that Everett (and, by extension, Ed Harris) was used “very sparingly” in Season 1 of Dutton Ranch. He wants that to change moving forward.
“He’s going to become a very important, integral part of Season 2…He’s such an amazing American actor that I think was used very sparingly this year,” Hauser told TV Insider in early July. “We’re going to make sure that he is a big part of helping us, moving forward in whatever capacity.”
As an executive producer on Dutton Ranch, Hauser has some power to make such a promise. His co-star, Kelly Reilly (who plays Beth), also serves as an executive producer. She vowed that fans will see more of Harris as his role will expand in Season 2.
“I think season 2 is going to feel very much more [like] Ed’s show,” she told TV Insider at the same time that Hauser spoke to the outlet. “This is not the Beth and Rip show. This is Dutton Ranch, and there’s four lead characters.”
The four lead characters Reilly is referring to are Beth, Rip, Everett, and Beulah, the latter of whom is played by Annette Bening.
Ed Harris Considered Leaving Dutton Ranch Because He Felt “Misled” About His Role
More recently, Ed Harris himself admitted that he felt “underused“ during Season 1 of Dutton Ranch. He told Variety he believed he was”misled” about how much he’d be featured in the show.
“Prior to signing on for it, I was talked to quite a bit about what the season was, and what my character was going to do — and that I was one of the four main characters…And that wasn’t really the case,” he said.
Harris went on to recall a scene that was cut from the show. That was almost the straw that broke the camel’s back for him.
“I’m talking to [Beth Dutton] at the bar, and [Rip Wheeler] comes in and says, ‘OK, Everett, come on, it’s your turn.’ I walk up to the mic, and they cut it. They cut the song out. I’m going, ‘F— you, people.'”
When Harris learned the scene was cut, he said it felt like “enough reason to say I’m voiding my contract.”
After watching the show, Harris felt that Everett truly did play a key role in the plot. However, he claimed “it didn’t feel that way” during filming.
Harris also confirmed that he’s been informed that Everett “will have a little bit more to do” in Season 2. Watch his interview in the clip below.
Ed Harris says he felt “misled” about his “inconsequential” role on “Dutton Ranch,” and that halfway through filming Season 1, he was telling his team to “get me the f— out of here.”
— Variety (@Variety) July 21, 2026
“Prior to signing on for it, I was talked to quite a bit about what the season was, and what… pic.twitter.com/StmmazVogC
