Get ready for an exciting journey.
While “Dutton Ranch” branches off from Taylor Sheridan’s renowned “Yellowstone” series, newcomers like James Eddie, Sterlin English, Marc Menchaca, and Juan Pablo Raba revealed to Page Six that they never crossed paths with the series’ esteemed creator.
“But, I’ve heard great things,” English assured.
“Dutton Ranch” picks up with Rip and Beth, played by Cole Hauser and Kelly Reilly, following the dramatic events of “Yellowstone.” As they establish themselves in Texas, they face new adversaries, including Beulah (Annette Bening) and her strategist, Joaquin (Raba).
The spinoff was crafted by Chad Feehan, who helmed the first season as showrunner, with Sheridan contributing as an executive producer.
Despite Sheridan’s more hands-off approach for the spinoff, Menchaca told Page Six that the cast was in good company, as director and executive producer Christina Alexandra Voros — who is Sheridan’s “trusted confidant” — “steered the ship” throughout filming.
During our interview, Menchaca also gushed over what it was like working with series star Hauser.
“It’s good to work with somebody who is so knowledgeable about the world, and also has a hand in where the story is going,” he said, referring to the fact that Hauser is now an executive producer. “He was a good shoulder to lean on.”
The “Ozark” actor – who has been married to “Game of Thrones” star Lena Headey since 2022 – plays Zachariah, one of Rip’s new ranch hands who recently got out of prison.
As for training for the show? The actors all came in with varying levels of cowboy skills.
Some had to go through a full “cowboy camp” to shape up for filming, while others, like English, were naturals and exempt from training.
“I felt really at home [on the show],” the actor — who plays a new ranch hand character — said, noting that he’s a real-life cowboy who grew up riding and roping. “Everybody in my way of life all loves the Taylor Sheridan universe.”
Still, he worked alongside real cowboys to brush up on some of those skills, and turned to another cinema icon for inspiration: “Robert Duvall in ‘Tender Mercies’ and ‘Lonesome Dove.’”
Eddie — who also plays a new ranch hand character — was one of the actors who had to participate in the intense cowboy camp. He told Page Six that training activities included riding a horse while balancing an egg on a spoon, which he said co-star Jai Courtney did best.
Meanwhile, Raba didn’t have to get rowdy outdoors, as his character is a suit-wearing fixer. However, he told Page Six that filming “Dutton Ranch” was still a learning experience for him, as working with Bening was “like going to school every day.”
“Annette is a master of this craft,” he raved. “Sometimes I’d call my wife and say, ‘I just got paid to go to acting school,’ because I am getting schooled every single day on set.”
“Dutton Ranch” premieres Friday at 8 p.m. ET on Paramount and Paramount+.