Yellowstone Spinoff Finally Replaces Canceled HBO Western’s Star
Taylor Sheridan’s Yellowstone Spinoff Gives Ed Harris a New Western Role After Westworld
Taylor Sheridan’s expanding Yellowstone universe has added another heavyweight to its lineup. Western film veteran Ed Harris is officially joining The Dutton Ranch, a new spinoff of the hit series Yellowstone, giving the acclaimed actor a fresh opportunity following the cancellation of HBO’s Westworld.
Sheridan has become a powerhouse on Paramount+, elevating the platform with prestige TV dramas featuring some of Hollywood’s most iconic talent. With stars like Kevin Costner (Yellowstone) and Harrison Ford (1923), his shows have become known for breathing new life into veteran actors’ careers — and Ed Harris is the latest to join the club.
After Westworld ended with season 4 in 2022, Harris — who played the chilling Man in Black — had been absent from major television. Despite critical praise for his complex, layered performance, Westworld couldn’t overcome declining ratings and was ultimately canceled. Now, The Dutton Ranch offers Harris a return to mainstream TV in a role that’s quite different from anything he’s done before.
Ed Harris Plays a Very Different Role in the Yellowstone Universe
In a major departure from his dark, menacing character in Westworld, Ed Harris will take on a much warmer role in The Dutton Ranch. He’s set to play a compassionate and humorous veterinarian who’s deeply devoted to his animals — a far cry from the morally twisted gunslinger he portrayed on HBO.
The series, currently in pre-production, centers on beloved Yellowstone characters Rip Wheeler (Cole Hauser) and Beth Dutton (Kelly Reilly), and is part of the franchise’s expansion following Yellowstone’s finale in 2024. It’s expected to debut in 2026.
Joining Harris in the Yellowstone universe are other celebrated names including Michelle Pfeiffer, Samuel L. Jackson, and Sam Elliott — all part of Taylor Sheridan’s continued effort to bring A-list talent to the Western drama landscape. Known for writing sharp, memorable dialogue and creating layered, character-driven stories, Sheridan’s upcoming slate promises to keep the Yellowstone legacy alive while exploring new frontiers.
