“Why Beth and Rip’s ‘Yellowstone’ Spin-Off Can’t Overlook This Kevin Costner Link”
Fans are undeniably craving more Yellowstone. Even without Kevin Costner in the lead, the sprawling Western universe offers plenty of untold stories. Taylor Sheridan’s expansion into the Dutton family’s past with prequels like 1923 has been well received, but many are eager to see more of the modern-day Duttons. Now, with a spin-off centered on Kelly Reilly’s Beth and Cole Hauser’s Rip reportedly in development, it looks like those fans might just get their wish. However, this new show will face the challenge of distinguishing itself from the flagship series. To thrive, the spin-off must be more than just a continuation of the Yellowstone story.
Rip and Beth’s Spin-Off Needs to Be an Epilogue, Not a Direct Continuation
Though there’s excitement around seeing more of Beth, Rip, and likely their surrogate son Carter (Finn Little), the spin-off could run into trouble right from the start. The conclusion of Yellowstone Season 5, titled “Life Is a Promise,” was referred to by the network as a “season finale,” leaving open the possibility for the story to continue. However, with the end of the Yellowstone Dutton Ranch, the death of John Dutton (Kevin Costner), and the breakup of the core group of ranch hands, any continuation of Rip and Beth’s story will be weighed down by the unresolved questions left behind by the flagship series. Fans will likely expect the new show to pick up as Yellowstone Season 6.
Instead, the spin-off should position itself as an epilogue to Yellowstone rather than a direct continuation. By doing so, the show would help viewers understand exactly which characters are staying and which are moving on. Focusing on Beth and Rip’s new life in a small Montana town, away from the political chaos of Paradise Valley, would allow the show to stand on its own while also giving fans the closure they need from the Yellowstone saga. If it’s merely going to continue the main storylines from Yellowstone, why not just make it the next season? Labeling the show a spin-off lets it carve out its own space while maintaining a connection to the original series, much like how The Madison series will.
Paramount’s Streaming Deal Could Complicate the Rip/Beth Spin-Off
Another factor complicating the success of the Rip/Beth spin-off is Paramount’s streaming deal with Peacock, which holds exclusive streaming rights to Yellowstone in the U.S. Some speculate that the spin-off could be a clever way for Paramount to sidestep this deal and bring the Yellowstone universe back under its own streaming service, Paramount+. This would allow fans to catch up on all of Yellowstone’s universe in one place—minus the original series, of course. Branding the Rip/Beth spin-off as a new show could help Paramount avoid issues with Peacock’s exclusive rights.
While some may view the spin-off as essentially Yellowstone Season 6, the burden of proving it’s distinct from the original series will fall on Paramount and Taylor Sheridan. To ensure it feels fresh and different, the Rip/Beth series would do well to model itself after how The Walking Dead approached its spin-offs. Shows like Dead City, Daryl Dixon, and The Ones Who Live each serve as unique epilogues to the original series, rather than straightforward continuations. With the way Yellowstone Season 5 concluded, the Rip/Beth spin-off should be able to do the same.
