Now it’s confirmed that Kevin Costner is leaving Yellowstone, Cole Hauser’s Rip should take over the

ranch. Rip has had a curious journey on Yellowstone, where he started season 1 as the imposing, ruthless

ranch hand of Costner’s John Dutton, and was seen committing various murders in the name of his

surrogate father. However, his oddly tender romance with Beth (Kelly Reilly) made him an audience favorite, and he’s essentially become a gruff but lovable father figure on the series.

This is also thanks to Hauser’s performance, which gave multiple layers to Rip; even when he was throwing poisonous snakes at people. It’s unknown when part 2 of Yellowstone season 5 will return, and reports that Costner is leaving the show have finally been confirmed after months of rumors. Time will tell where the show goes after Dutton’s exit, but if any main character must take over the running of the Yellowstone, most viewers would select Rip Wheeler himself.

Rip Is The Perfect Replacement For Kevin Costner In Yellowstone

Rip first came to the ranch as a teenager, having killed his own father after the man murdered Rip’s mother and brother. Dutton brought him on and made him a ranch hand, and he was later branded by the family and swore to protect them – and the Yellowstone – no matter what. This, of course, means he’s committed multiple criminal acts, but like John Dutton, he’s in love with the land and the “cowboy” way of life that both men realize is slowly dying.

While Rip might not be his biological son, Dutton made it clear he essentially considers Rip one of his own. Neither Kayce (Luke Grimes) nor Beth would want the responsibility of running the Yellowstone following John Dutton’s death (if that’s how Costner’s character exits) while John’s estranged son Jamie is even more unlikely to take over. Rip’s love for Yellowstone is probably only matched by John, so it’s hard to picture a better successor. That said, the 1883 prophecy that the family will lose the ranch after seven generations seems to be closing in, so maybe there won’t be a successor from the clan after all.

Yellowstone Doesn’t Need To End When John Dutton Dies

However Costner’s Dutton ends up leaving Yellowstone, the series doesn’t have to end if Dutton gets killed. There are already reports suggesting John will die and the main series will end, but that other major characters will then continue to another spinoff series. While the popularity of offshoots like 1923 means the franchise’s future might lay outside the main show, Yellowstone is too popular to end so abruptly. If Dutton dies, seeing how the rest of the family rebuilds in the aftermath and what becomes of the ranch makes for a compelling hook in itself.