Yellowstone finally returns to the Paramount Network on November 7, after a cliffhanger that left fans and Duttons alike reeling last year. The finale of season 3 saw all-out war being declared on the powerful family, with several members targeted for assassination. Now the premiere episodes, "Half the Money" and "Phantom Pain," will reveal which attempts succeeded and how the crew moves on from the attacks.
Rip Wheeler (Cole Hauser, The Last Champion) may still only be an honorary part of the family, but his fate is as much tied to theirs as anybody else. Not only has he worked on the ranch since patriarch John Dutton (Kevin Costner, Let Him Go) took him in as a youth, but he's also been in love with Beth (Kelly Reilly, Eight for Silver) for as long as he can remember. Needless to say, anyone coming for them is going to have to deal with him.
Hauser spoke to Screen Rant about how the members of Yellowstone Ranch pick up the pieces after the traumatic events of last season, and about the effect newcomer Carter (Finn Little, Those Who Wish Me Dead) has on Beth and Rip's relationship.
Screen Rant: Where is Rip's mindset at the start of season 4?
Cole Hauser: Well, obviously, he's very concerned about all parties involved. But with John, I think that's the guy he's closest to - not meaning relationship-wise, but in the scenario of what happens with everybody.
I think he's worried, angry, and scared for the fact that - if there was a hit on all these people, who's alive and who's not? There's a lot going through his head.
I don't know that I would call it a light at the end of the tunnel, but we do have a youthful new character coming in that is a mirror of Rip. Can you talk a little bit about Carter and what Rip sees in him?
Cole Hauser: It's kind of complex because at first, I don't think he sees much in him. He thinks he's just a dumb kid, which is kind of what he is. But I think, through time, he realizes that he has the opportunity to shape and help a young man's life.
It's another beautiful turn that Taylor [Sheridan] and I really worked on and made sure that there was this other side of Rip that we get to see. I think he does it every year, and I ultimately love him for it and appreciate it. Because he continues to just show colors in this character that I feel are boundless.
Outside of this new relationship, what are you most excited for fans to see or what did you feel was most challenging to take on this season?
Cole Hauser: I think it's the relationship that you talked about, and then the relationship with Beth and how they go through this - not a struggle, but another piece of a relationship that they haven't had before in their lives.
I think it's being able to navigate that relationship with this other person involved and how he fits into the equation, and how they both have time for each other as well. I think that was the biggest challenge, and I think that Taylor did a great job of challenging us as actors.
Beth and Rip's relationship is my favorite in the show, and it seems many people feel that way. What is it that you think stands the test of time and speaks to people about them?
Cole Hauser: They're not perfect. I think sometimes we glorify these relationships on film and television; these perfect relationships of these beautiful people. And it makes me a little sick because I think the reality of our time right now - not only in this country but around the world - everybody's having tough times.
I think that what this relationship has been for 4 years is these two people that are trying to make something that they really love work. And they fail at it, they get up, they brush themselves off, they try again - and they don't quit. They're not quitters, and I think that's the message that's being put out into the marketplace and to audiences. All relationships take work, and they're not easy. But when you truly love somebody, they're worth it.
Yellowstone season 4 premieres November 7 on the Paramount Network at 8/7c pm, and the first three seasons are streaming exclusively on Peacock.