The main cast of Yellowstone has become a total sensation after the Western drama skyrocketed in popularity. Created by Taylor Sheridan and John Linson, the series has become the biggest hit on Paramount and one of the top hits on cable TV ever. And with five seasons (counting) and prequels in, this series will get even bigger, more dramatic, and definitely more intense.
If you’re like us, who’s already heavily invested in the show (and still don’t know anyone besides Kevin Costner), it’s high time to dive into the actors who gave life to this world. And if you’re new, welcome to the fandom! This would be a great start to getting to know them and their character. Don’t worry. No spoilers here.
So here we go. Let’s meet the Yellowstone cast members one by one.
1. Kevin Costner as John Dutton
It would be a sin for the show and the fans not to start this list with Kevin Costner.
Costner plays John Dutton, the owner of the largest cattle ranch in the US and the patriarch of the Dutton family. John was born and bred in Montana and came from generations of ranchers. And so, it’s no surprise that he holds a great sense of duty to his land. And along with his kind of dysfunctional family, he protects it from anyone who would try to take it away from them.
The award-winning veteran actor (who is also a film producer and director) is no stranger to Western productions, as he did Silverado in 1985 and Dance with Wolves in 1990. And this also isn’t his first time portraying an assertive, authoritative role. He starred in Bull Durham (1998), The Bodyguard (1992), and Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016).
2. Kelly Reilly as Beth Dutton
English actress Kelly Reilly is the phenomenal force behind the character of Beth Dutton.
Beth is the daughter of John, who is known for her intimidating ruthlessness and boldness. But behind her unapologetic tough outward look, as Reilly described Beth, she’s a layered, complex character who is ‘deeply wounded and deeply brilliant, and deeply loyal.’ Another interesting thing about her character arc and storyline is her romantic entanglement with John’s right-hand man Rip Wheeler.
And with Kelly Reilly’s impressive film, TV, and Broadway resume, she’s definitely the best choice for the role. She starred in Pride & Prejudice (2005), Eden Lake (2008), Sherlock Holmes (2009), Citizen Gangster (2011), Flight (2012), and True Detectives (2015) and won several awards as well. Reilly also did Broadway, starring in Mrs. Henderson Presents in 2005 and Old Times in 2015.
3. Luke Grimes as Kayce Dutton
Navy SEAL Kayce Dutton is played by American actor Luke Grimes and it was a match made thanks to an R-rated film.
Kayce is the youngest of the Dutton siblings and the “chosen one” since John has been grooming him to inherit their acres of land. But there is a riff between him and his father, considering his divided loyalty between his family home and his duty to the reservation, which has been his wife’s ancestral home. Like Beth, Kayce is fighting a truckload of inner battles and turmoils.
Luke Grimes, a graduate of the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, was known for his notable roles in True Blood (2013), The Magnificent Seven (2016), Into the Ashes (2019), and the Fifty Shades franchise. But his stint on American Sniper in 2014 reportedly got him the role. According to Grimes, creators Sheridan and Linson watched the film while writing the series. And they both felt that the actor could perfectly embody Kayce Dutton. And they were right.
4. Wes Bentley as Jamie Dutton
Wes Bentley perfectly portrays the flawed, validation-hungry Jamie Dutton.
Jamie Dutton is not quite like his brother Kayce or his sister Beth. He’s an attorney, and no one is ever more needy of John’s approval than him. But his relationship with his father is even more turbulent than Kayce’s, as they are always butting heads every time. Nevertheless, his loyalty to the family remains strong, and he’s someone that they can count on to protect the land.
Bentley got his big break with his role as Ricky Fitts in the 1999 film American Beauty. He won numerous awards, and that led to his remarkable roles in Ghost Rider (2007), The Hunger Games (2012), Interstellar (2014), and Mission Impossible: Fallout (2018). He was also in American Horror Story from 2014 until 2016.
5. Kelsey Asbille as Monica Long-Dutton
Marrying into the Dutton family isn’t easy, and Kelsey Asbille Chow has been masterfully playing this role.
Monica Long-Dutton has rightfully earned her place as one of the key characters on the show, beyond just being Kayce’s wife or Tate’s mom. As an Indigenous woman, she is shedding light on the plight of people like her. However, her loyalty to the reservation and her home (Broken Rock) still ignites friction, especially with her close relationship with the Duttons.
The One Tree Hill alum got her experience from community theatre and is a staple of many popular series like The Suite Life of Zack & Cody, The Pair of Kings, and Teen Wolf. Asbille also starred in Amazing Spiderman (2012), Wind River (2017), and Fargo (2020).
6. Brecken Merrill as Tate Dutton
Tate Dutton, currently the only grandchild of John Dutton, is portrayed by the adorable Brecken Merrill.
Tate Dutton, the son of Kayce and Monica, plays a crucial role in the battle of the land as a Dutton and a Long (who both consider it as rightfully theirs). And that has put him in danger more times than a kid should go through. But aside from being a pawn, Tate’s character is also important in creating a space where viewers see the softer and more nurturing side of the otherwise tough John Dutton.
Yellowstone is actually Merrill’s first major break into acting. In 2021, he played the lead for We All Got Up to Dance. And a year later, he starred in This is Us.
7. Cole Hauser as Rip Wheeler
Cole Hauser plays Rip Wheeler, the right-hand man of John Dutton and Beth’s love interest. And it’s safe to say that he’s the second hottest man on the show next to Costner.
Rip Wheeler may not be a Dutton by blood, but he’s definitely part of the family. John took him after he killed his father, who brutally murdered his mother and brother. And he gave him a second chance in life by becoming one of his own. And in turn, Rip has given John his unwavering loyalty and goes the extra mile to do whatever needs to be done to protect the land.
Hauser came from generations of Hollywood stars. His great-grandfather Harry Warner was one of the founding partners of Warner Bros Entertainment Inc. He is known for participating in film productions like Dazed and Confused (1993), Pitch Black (2000), 2 Fast 2 Furious (2003), and Olympus Has Fallen (2013).
8. Jefferson White as Jimmy Hurdstrom
Jefferson White is the man behind the goofy and easily likable character of Jimmy Hurdstrom.
Jimmy is another Rip Wheeler – a man John gave a second chance in life and became a part of the Yellowstone family. He was a former professional thief who narrowly escaped jail by choosing a new life as a cattle rancher. And now, Rip has taken him under his wing. He’s definitely one of the playful characters on the show and gave it a break from the rather dramatic and intense tone.
And Jefferson White clearly captivated the audience with his portrayal. The actor started his acting career in high school plays and even joined the choir and speech team. White starred mostly in series such as Manhattan, How to Get Away With Murder, and House of Cards. But according to the actor, Yellowstone was when he finally felt his life changed.
9. Gil Birmingham as Chief Thomas Rainwater
Gil Birmingham plays Chief Thomas Rainwater, simultaneously John Dutton’s rival and ally of convenience.
Thomas Rainwater is the Chief of Broken Rock reservation and a casino owner. While John has a long list of enemies, Chief Rainwater is the one he has consistently butted his head with. That is mainly because the center of the chief’s agenda has always been reclaiming his ancestor’s land. And he even uses the fact that Monica is now a Dutton to his advantage.
The award-winning actor is known for his roles in The Doe Boy (2001), Rango (2011), The Lone Ranger (2013), Hell or High Water (2016), Wind River (2017), and Transformers: The Last Knight (2017). He also often leans in his Native American roots in acting roles such as Billy Black in the Twilight Saga, George Hunter in Banshee, and Virgil White in Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt.
And here is a list of other actors in Yellowstone who have played a part in the success of the show.
- Josh Holloway as Roarke Carter
- Forrie J. Smith as Lloyd Pierce
- Jake Ream as Jake
- Ryan Bingham as Walker
- Jennifer Landon as Teeter
- Ian Bohen as Ryan
- Mo Brings Plenty as Mo
- Taylor Sheridan as Travis Wheatley
- Jacki Weavers as Caroline Warner
- Q’orianka Kilcher as Angela Blue Thunder
- Danny Huston as Dan Jenkins
- Karen Pittman as Willa Hayes
- Neal McDonough as Malcolm Beck
- Dabney Coleman as John Dutton Sr.
That concludes the cast of Yellowstone… for now. As the show gets bigger, we’re sure to see new faces.
