Yellowstone's Creator Sues Show's Star Cole Hauser
Cole Hauser learned life might be better on the ranch—but it isn't always easy.
The Dutton Ranch star confessed filming the first season of the Yellowstone spinoff without creator Taylor Sheridan on set as the showrunner was more difficult than the team had anticipated.
"There were challenges not having Taylor there," Hauser told Film Inside NYC July 18. "For us to really be able to work with these new writers, these new directors, these people—everything had changed."
Though the fourth series in Sheridan's Western universe—also featuring Kelly Reilly as Hauser's onscreen wife and Ed Harris as the town veterinarian—was originally helmed by showrunner Chad Feehan, the executive producer stepped down from the role before the May 1 premiere. (Benjamin Cavell has since been announced as the season two showrunner.)
Indeed, Hauser remarked "the only normality" in filming the Paramount+ show was working with his returning cast and crew, like his TV son Finn Little.
As such, the 51-year-old said being able to "figure out on our feet how to perform and tell a story" was a reason to be "proud of what we accomplished," admitting, "I enjoy a challenge [and] it certainly was a challenge."
And thanks to the extra work on set, living up to fans' expectations for the beloved franchise hasn't been on Hauser's radar.
"I don’t think a lot of the outside noise or the thought of 'What’s the weight of the show?' was really apparent to me at the time," Hauser said of his mindset during the season one shoot. "It was about putting my head down and working my ass off with what I had around me."
While the difficult production hasn't put Hauser off from "looking forward to doing it again" for season two (which has already been greenlit), some stars have exited the fan-favorite franchise. Real life ranch owner Kevin Costner—who was a big part of Yellowstone's rise to popularity—departed the project in the middle of its fifth season.
Photo by John Lamparski/WireImage
But Sheridan has shut down rumors that Costner left due to any on-set feuds.
“Kevin was only supposed to be in the first three seasons,” he said on The Bill Simmons podcast in June. “That was in his contract. In my mind, that’s when his youngest son takes over and we have to watch them lose their ranch or not lose their ranch or whatever the case was going to be.”
“The network was so scared of not having Kevin be a part of it,” Sheridan added. “Even though Kevin was ready to go. He had other things he wanted to do. But he stayed on for another two seasons.”
Keep reading for other actors who quit hit TV shows.
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Jenna Lyons, The Real Housewives of New York City
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