Annette Bening is joining the leading cast of the Paramount+ Yellowstone spinoff currently known as The Dutton Ranch, joining a lineup that includes Kelly Reilly, Cole Hauser, and Finn Little, who will reprise their original roles. Chad Feehan (Lawmen: Bass Reeves) will serve as showrunner on the offshoot.
Bening will portray Beulah Jackson, described as a powerful, cunning, and charming head of a major Texas ranch. The series centers on Beth Dutton and Rip Wheeler and their 7,000-acre ranch, as they navigate tough times and fierce competition while guiding Carter toward the man he’s meant to become.
The project is set to run on a present-day timeline and will share a strong connection to the Yellowstone universe, likened to having the most DNA of any spin-off to date. Yellowstone follows the Dutton family, who control one of the largest contiguous cattle ranches in the United States. Reilly’s Beth is John Dutton III’s daughter, and Hauser’s Rip is the hardened foreman who was mentored by John.
Yellowstone was co-created by Taylor Sheridan and John Linson, with executive producers including Sheridan, Glasser, the Linsons, Costner, and others. The Yellowstone Universe already encompasses the prequels 1883 and 1923, with additional offshoots in development. Two announced spin-offs set for Paramount+ and CBS are The Madison, led by Michelle Pfeiffer, and Y: Marshals, headed by Luke Grimes. Other universe entries, 1944 and 6666, were previously announced as in development.
The Dutton Ranch comes from Paramount Television Studios and 101 Studios, with executive producers including Sheridan, Glasser, the Linsons, Ron Burkle, David Hutkin, Yari, Friedman, Voros, Reilly, Hauser, Feehan, and Cox.
Bening is an award-winning actor with BAFTA, Golden Globe, and multiple Oscar nominations, including for The Grifters, American Beauty, Being Julia, The Kids Are All Right, and Nyad. She is set to appear in Apple TV+ limited series Lucky opposite Anya Taylor-Joy and has previously starred in Apples Never Fall. She is repped by CAA and Gochman Law Group.
Summary: Annette Bening has joined The Dutton Ranch as Beulah Jackson, a formidable Texas ranch head, signaling another strong expansion in the Yellowstone universe. The series will continue to follow Beth Dutton and Rip Wheeler in a present-day setting, with Chad Feehan as showrunner and a cast that includes Reilly, Hauser, and Finn Little. Fans can anticipate further developments as the project moves forward. Positive outlook: this high-profile casting broadens the franchise’s reach and confidence in the continued success of the Yellowstone universe.