The Yellowstone universe just detonated a narrative bombshell that has fans screaming from the mountaintops! As the dust settles from the heart-wrenching death of John Dutton III (Kevin Costner) in the series finale, a new chapter is charging toward us, and it’s not what anyone expected. The highly anticipated Beth Dutton and Rip Wheeler spin-off, set to premiere on Paramount+ in late 2025, is shaking up the Dutton legacy with a stunning twist: Carter, the troubled teen-turned-cowboy played by Finn Little, is stepping into the spotlight as a central figure alongside Beth (Kelly Reilly) and Rip (Cole Hauser). 😳 That’s right—Carter, the scrappy orphan who stole hearts in Yellowstone’s final seasons, is taking the reins in this bold new series. Buckle up, because this spin-off is about to rewrite the rules of the Dutton ranch! 💬👇👇

A New Era for the Yellowstone Universe

Since its premiere in 2018, Yellowstone has been a cultural juggernaut, blending gritty neo-Western drama with family dysfunction and high-stakes ranching. Created by Taylor Sheridan, the series followed the Dutton family, led by patriarch John Dutton, as they fought to protect the largest contiguous cattle ranch in the United States from land developers, rival factions, and internal betrayals. The show’s fifth and final season, which aired in 2024, left fans reeling with John’s death and the sale of the Yellowstone Dutton Ranch, marking the end of an era—but not the story.

Enter the Beth and Rip spin-off, a present-day continuation that promises to carry the torch of Yellowstone’s raw intensity and emotional depth. While fans expected Beth and Rip to lead the charge, the confirmation that Finn Little’s Carter will be a series regular—and a key player—has sent shockwaves through the fandom. According to Deadline, the 19-year-old Australian actor will reprise his role as Carter, the orphaned teen who became Beth and Rip’s surrogate son, in a move that elevates his character to unprecedented prominence. This isn’t just a spin-off—it’s a reinvention, with Carter poised to redefine the Dutton legacy in ways no one saw coming.

Carter: From Troubled Teen to Leading Man

Carter’s journey in Yellowstone began in Season 4, when he was introduced as a troubled teenager reeling from his father’s death due to a heroin overdose. Meeting Beth at a hospital while she visited her ailing father, Carter’s tough exterior and heartbreaking vulnerability caught her attention. Despite Beth’s initial reluctance to embrace a maternal role—stemming from her inability to have children due to a forced sterilization in her youth—she and Rip took Carter under their wing, giving him a home and purpose at the Yellowstone Dutton Ranch. Over two seasons, Carter evolved from a lost kid to a hardworking cowboy, earning the respect of Rip and a complicated bond with Beth, who famously rebuffed his attempt to call her “mama” in Season 4’s finale.

The spin-off, still untitled but rumored to steer clear of the previously reported “Dutton Ranch” moniker, picks up after the Yellowstone finale, with Beth, Rip, and Carter settled on a new ranch in Dillon, Montana, a few hours from the original Yellowstone property. This fresh setting offers a clean slate, but the inclusion of Carter as a central figure suggests the series will explore uncharted territory: a coming-of-age story intertwined with Beth and Rip’s fierce loyalty and volatile dynamics. Finn Little himself hinted at the excitement, sharing Deadline’s casting announcement on Instagram with the caption, “Must be true then…”—a post liked by co-stars Cole Hauser and Jen Landon, fueling fan speculation.

In an exclusive statement to Town & Country, Kelly Reilly teased Carter’s expanded role: “You and I just beginning xx love you,” she commented to Little, suggesting a deeper exploration of their surrogate family dynamic. Fans are buzzing with questions: Will Carter become the heir to Beth and Rip’s new empire? Could he uncover secrets about the Duttons’ past? And how will his presence challenge Beth’s guarded heart and Rip’s hardened resolve?

Beth and Rip: The Heart of the Spin-Off

Beth Dutton and Rip Wheeler remain the beating heart of this new series, and their inclusion was a no-brainer for fans. Kelly Reilly’s portrayal of Beth, the whip-smart, ferocious daughter of John Dutton, has been a standout, blending ruthless business acumen with raw emotional vulnerability. Rip, played by Cole Hauser, is the loyal ranch foreman whose tragic past—witnessing his father murder his mother and brother before killing his father in retaliation—forged an unbreakable bond with the Dutton family. Their love story, cemented by their marriage in Season 4, has been a fan-favorite arc, and the spin-off promises to dive deeper into their life as a couple and surrogate parents to Carter.

Cole Hauser, speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, emphasized the continuity of their story: “Expect the same that we’ve been doing for the last seven years. Kelly and I are going and working our ass off trying to create something special.” The relocation to Dillon, Montana, sets the stage for new challenges, from external threats like rival ranchers or developers to internal struggles as Beth and Rip navigate their roles as guardians. The absence of the original Yellowstone cast, including Kevin Costner, Wes Bentley, and Luke Grimes, makes Carter’s presence even more critical, grounding the spin-off in the makeshift family dynamic that defined their arc in the later seasons.

The Carter Twist: Why It’s a Game-Changer

Carter’s elevation to a leading role is a bold move that sets this spin-off apart from other Yellowstone extensions, like the prequels 1883 and 1923 or the upcoming Y: Marshals starring Luke Grimes as Kayce Dutton. Unlike those projects, which explore different eras or genres, the Beth and Rip spin-off is described as sharing the “most DNA” with the original series, maintaining its present-day timeline and neo-Western grit. Carter’s centrality flips the script, shifting the focus from the Dutton bloodline to a chosen family, a theme that resonates deeply given Beth’s infertility and Rip’s own history as an adopted son of John Dutton.

The premiere episode, expected to air in late 2025, reportedly opens with a tense scene at the new Dillon ranch, where Carter’s actions spark a conflict that forces Beth and Rip to confront their past decisions. While plot details remain scarce, sources suggest Carter’s arc will explore his growth into a young man, grappling with his identity as a cowboy and his place in the Dutton legacy. Could he uncover a hidden connection to the Duttons, perhaps tied to Rip’s early years or Beth’s complicated family history? Or will his presence draw new enemies to the ranch, eager to exploit the couple’s vulnerabilities?

Finn Little’s performance as Carter has been praised for its authenticity, with the young actor bringing depth to a character who mirrors Rip’s own journey from a troubled youth to a loyal ranch hand. Little’s resume, including roles in Those Who Wish Me Dead alongside Angelina Jolie and The Surfer with Nicolas Cage, proves he’s ready to carry a larger role. His Instagram post celebrating the spin-off casting, coupled with endorsements from Reilly and Hauser, has fans hyped for what’s to come.

The Stakes: New Ranch, New Enemies

The move to Dillon, Montana, offers a fresh canvas for the spin-off, but it’s not a peaceful retreat. Beth’s purchase of the new ranch in the Yellowstone finale was a defiant act to preserve the Dutton legacy, but it comes with risks. The spin-off is expected to introduce new antagonists—potentially land developers or rival ranchers—who threaten Beth and Rip’s vision for their future. Carter’s role as a young cowboy-in-training could put him in the crosshairs, testing his resilience and the strength of his bond with Beth and Rip.

The series will also delve into Beth’s emotional journey, particularly her struggle with her inability to have biological children. Carter’s presence challenges her to embrace a maternal role, a dynamic that Kelly Reilly hinted at in an interview with Digital Spy: “Wouldn’t it be fun to watch Beth go to therapy?” Rip, meanwhile, faces the challenge of mentoring Carter while grappling with the loss of John Dutton, the man who shaped him into the cowboy he is today. Hauser’s comments about missing the original cast suggest a more intimate, character-driven story, with Carter as the glue holding this makeshift family together.

The Yellowstone Universe Expands

The Beth and Rip spin-off is one of several Yellowstone extensions in the works, reflecting Taylor Sheridan’s ambitious vision for the franchise. The prequels 1883 and 1923 explored the Dutton family’s historical roots, while Y: Marshals, set to premiere on CBS in 2026, follows Kayce Dutton as he joins an elite unit of U.S. Marshals. Another spin-off, The Madison, starring Michelle Pfeiffer and Matthew Fox, introduces a new family in the Yellowstone universe, while projects like 1944 and 6666 remain in development.

What sets the Beth and Rip spin-off apart is its direct connection to the original series’ timeline and tone. Unlike the procedural elements of Y: Marshals or the historical scope of the prequels, this series promises the same blend of family drama, romance, and high-stakes ranching that made Yellowstone a hit. Carter’s inclusion ensures that the spin-off honors the emotional core of the original while forging a new path, with the young cowboy as a potential successor to the Dutton legacy.

Fan Reactions and What’s Next

The announcement of Finn Little’s return has ignited a firestorm of excitement on social media, with fans on X celebrating Carter’s role in the spin-off. Posts from outlets like Collider and Town & Country have amplified the buzz, with fans praising the decision to keep the Beth-Rip-Carter trio intact. One X user wrote, “Carter as a lead? That’s the twist I didn’t know I needed! Beth and Rip are gonna have their hands full!” Another commented, “Finn Little is gonna steal the show. This kid’s got heart!” The sentiment is clear: Carter’s elevation is a game-changer that has fans eager for the premiere.

While Paramount+ has not officially confirmed the release date, rumors suggest a late 2025 debut, with production set to begin in summer 2025. The series is expected to be a Paramount+ exclusive, following the streaming model of 1883 and 1923. Additional casting announcements are forthcoming, but the absence of other Yellowstone regulars like Lloyd (Forrie J. Smith), who declined to join Beth and Rip in Dillon, suggests a tighter focus on the core trio.

Why You Can’t Miss This Spin-Off

The Beth and Rip spin-off is poised to be a must-watch for Yellowstone fans, delivering the same heart-pounding drama, complex characters, and rugged beauty that defined the original series. Carter’s unexpected rise as a central figure adds a fresh layer of intrigue, promising a story that blends coming-of-age themes with the high-stakes world of ranching. Will Carter become the next Dutton in spirit, if not in name? Can Beth and Rip build a new legacy while facing threats from within and without? And what secrets from their past will resurface in Dillon, Montana?

Taylor Sheridan’s track record ensures this spin-off will be a wild ride, and Finn Little’s casting as a lead proves the show isn’t afraid to take risks. As Cole Hauser told Fox News, the series will deliver “something special” for fans who’ve followed Beth and Rip’s journey for seven years. So, saddle up, grab your cowboy hat, and prepare for a spin-off that’s ready to blaze a new trail in the Yellowstone universe. The Beth, Rip, and Carter saga is just beginning, and it’s going to be one hell of a ride! 😱🔥

Catch up on all five seasons of Yellowstone on Peacock before the Beth and Rip spin-off premieres on Paramount+ in late 2025.