Cole Hauser Addresses Beth and Rip Spin-Off—And Shatters Fan Expectations

Cole Hauser’s Cowboy Spirit Lives On After Yellowstone Finale — With Bull Riding, Passion Projects, and Hopes for Beth and Rip

Since the curtain closed on the Yellowstone saga, Cole Hauser hasn’t ridden off into the sunset. Instead, the actor — best known for portraying the gruff yet loyal Rip Wheeler — has been busy channeling his cowboy energy into new and exciting frontiers. One of his most recent ventures? Teaming up with the Professional Bull Riders (PBR) league on a passion-fueled short film project that took months of dedication, both behind and in front of the camera.

Hauser not only starred in but also directed a four-minute cinematic tribute to cowboy culture, which made its dramatic debut during the PBR World Finals in Fort Worth, Texas. The film is more than just a montage of dust, grit, and leather — it’s a stylized homage to the bravery and intensity of the bull-riding world, a culture deeply resonant with Hauser’s Yellowstone roots.

“Anybody who jumps on a bull is going to have not only talent, but courage,” Hauser emphasized in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter. That courage — the willingness to risk it all in the name of sport, identity, and tradition — is what he aimed to capture. And judging by the crowd’s response during the premiere, he succeeded. “Seeing 30,000 people watching and cheering for the spot live in the stadium was pretty rewarding,” he added with genuine pride.

The short film may only span four minutes, but Hauser invested four months of creative energy into its making. It wasn’t a paycheck gig — it was something far more personal. A passion project. The kind of work that lets artists keep telling stories even when the sets go dark and the series ends.

But while Rip Wheeler may no longer be wrangling cattle on-screen, Hauser’s connection to Yellowstone hasn’t faded. In fact, fans have been buzzing for months about the possibility of a spin-off centered on Rip and Beth — the show’s most iconic, chaotic, and oddly romantic couple. Their turbulent love story formed the emotional backbone of Yellowstone, and many are desperate for more.

Though rumors of a spin-off have been circulating since before Yellowstone ended, official news has been scarce. No green light from Paramount. No start date for production. No concrete details. Just a lot of hope, speculation, and Hauser’s own cautious optimism.

“I’m excited just like everybody else,” Hauser said when asked about what comes next for Rip and Beth. “I can’t wait to see what they come up with. Hopefully, we’ll start seeing stuff soon.”

His words are a mix of excitement and uncertainty — a reflection of a world still waiting to see what the next chapter might hold. But one thing is clear: if and when the opportunity comes, both Hauser and Kelly Reilly (who plays Beth Dutton with equal parts fire and fragility) are ready to ride again.

“Not having the cast around certainly [is hard],” Hauser admitted, revealing just how close-knit the Yellowstone family became. “Forrie J. Smith [Lloyd] has become such a great friend of mine that to think that my right-hand guy wouldn’t be there [is hard].”

Even so, the heart of the potential spin-off lies in the bond between Rip and Beth — a relationship that burned hotter than a prairie fire. “Kelly and I, we’re focused on [Rip and Beth’s] relationship and our love together, and what we’re going to get [them] into.”

While fans continue to wait — and speculate — there’s comfort in knowing that the actors behind these beloved characters still carry the flame. Whether it’s a four-minute short about bull riding or a full-blown series about love, legacy, and recklessness in the West, Cole Hauser is making sure the cowboy spirit stays very much alive.

Cole Hauser’s Cowboy Spirit Lives On After Yellowstone Finale — With Bull Riding, Passion Projects, and Hopes for Beth and Rip Since the curtain closed on the Yellowstone saga, Cole Hauser hasn’t ridden off into the sunset. Instead, the actor — best known for portraying the gruff yet loyal Rip Wheeler — has been busy…