The Dutton Ranch could share the most DNA with the original show, since Kayce Dutton’s (Luke Grimes) Y: Marshals offshoot is a network TV procedural, and Michelle Pfeiffer’s spinoff, The Madison, has no apparent ties to the Dutton family. Still, while there will be familiar faces, The Dutton Ranch will welcome plenty of new actors into Yellowstone‘s fold.
The Dutton Ranch Has Cast a Landman Actor as Rip Wheeler’s Right-Hand Man in Yellowstone
According to a casting report from Variety, The Dutton Ranch has added J.R. Villarreal to its cast as Azul, described as “a whipcord wrangler as Rip’s high-hand man.” The character will be familiar to Taylor Sheridan fans, as Villarreal also appeared in the first season of Landman as Manuel, who had ties to Ariana Medina (Paulina Chavez).
According to the official description of Dutton and Wheeler’s next chapter, Beth and Rip are “grateful for the peace they sought, fought, and nearly died for with their 7,000-acre Dutton Ranch. With tough times and stiff competition, Beth and Rip do what they must to survive, all while ensuring Carter becomes the man he’s supposed to be.”
J.R. Villarreal’s Yellowstone Character Will Redeem His Role as Manuel In Landman
As Rip’s most trusted ally, Azul will probably be a charismatic, likable character, contrasting with his previous role in Sheridan’s other massively successful series. In Landman Season 1, Villarreal plays Manuel, an adversary of Tommy Norris’ (Billy Bob Thornton) son, Cooper Norris (Jacob Lofland), who ultimately sends Cooper to the ICU with a collapsed lung and head trauma.
Manuel and Cooper Norris first cross paths at Ariana’s house after her husband, Elvio (Alejandro Akara), dies in an oil rig explosion. Cooper witnesses Elvio’s death, so he wants to pay his respects to Elvio’s widow. However, Manuel is Elvio’s cousin and takes issue with Cooper’s growing presence at Medina’s house, helping her with chores.
Ultimately, Manuel becomes one of the least likable characters in Landman when, after Cooper is reassigned to his crew, he follows him into his house and attacks him, causing blunt force trauma. Tommy and Boss (Mustafa Speaks) personally reprimand Manuel and Antonio (Octavio Rodriguez) before calling the sheriff, and it is Manuel’s last appearance, as he is likely incarcerated.
What Azul and Other New Yellowstone Characters Mean For The Dutton Ranch
While The Dutton Ranch is built on familiar Yellowstone characters, the introduction of Azul and other new names signals that the spinoff will ultimately distinguish itself from the original. Reilly and Hauser remain at the center of the production as fan-favorite Yellowstone power couple Beth and Rip. However, other than Carter (Finn Little), they are surrounded by strangers.
Rather than bring back Lloyd (Forrie J. Smith) to be Rip’s right-hand man, as he was throughout Yellowstone’s five seasons, the spinoff will turn over a new leaf. Azul will be part of an all-new ensemble of ranch hands and problem fixers, rather than The Dutton Ranch relying too heavily on its past. Still, more familiar faces could appear.
However, the Dutton family will remain fractured in The Dutton Ranch. After John Dutton died in the final season of Yellowstone, Costner is officially out of the franchise, and Grimes will likely be tied up in Kayce Dutton’s CBS spinoff. Instead, the spinoff has cast Annette Bening and Ed Harris to anchor the production, playing Beulah Jackson and Everett McKinney.
