Taylor Sheridan ‘Wants to Be Involved’ in Season 2 of ‘Dutton Ranch’ After Showrunner Changes

Taylor Sheridan is looking to head back to Dutton Ranch.

While season 1 of the Yellowstone spinoff was inspired by Sheridan’s work, the executive producer, 56, was not as active behind the scenes — but that could all change come season 2.

In a new interview with The Hollywood Reporter on Monday, July 6, Kelly Reilly, who plays Beth Dutton on the Paramount Network series, reflected on filming season 1 without Sheridan at the helm.

“I was very uncertain of what this would be without his words. I didn’t know if it was gonna work. I didn’t know if she was going to work. It was like a part of the character had to die in order for me to begin her again,” Reilly, 48, shared.

She continued, “Everything comes to an end, and his time with these characters as creative leader, it ended. So there was a moment where we were trying to figure out, ‘How do we do this without him?’ That’s what season one of this was, and he’s really proud of us for doing it.”

Now, after Chad Feehan‘s departure as showrunner following season 1 and Benjamin Cavell stepping in to replace him, Reilly said Sheridan is eager to return to the ranch after the series was officially renewed ahead of the July 3 season 1 finale.

“We talk to him now about what the next season could be, and he wants to be involved,” Reilly revealed. “So that feels like we earned this second season from all the work we’ve done before, and that’s the thing I’m most proud of.”

With Sheridan taking a backseat for the show’s inaugural season, both Reilly and Cole Hauser, who plays Rip Wheeler, on the series, also stepped in as executive producers.

Looking ahead to season 2, Hauser, who also spoke to The Hollywood Reporter on Monday, touched on the addition of Cavell and a new writing team, as Dutton Ranch looks to move its story forward.

“We had a very good meeting with him, and I cannot wait for this new iteration of Ben and his team of guys that he hires, along with David Glasser and the people who are involved, and to really sink our teeth into what this next show is going to be,” Hauser, 51, shared. “And we’re not there yet. This is very early in the process. But I get home, and I know Kelly is chomping at the bit, and we’ll get into it and have some fun.”

Reilly is equally excited about the team they’ve built ahead of season 2, telling the outlet she’s looking forward to seeing what’s next for Beth.

“Christina Voros is our executive producer, director, and lighthouse creative. She’s been with us from season one of Yellowstone. Everything we do goes through her brain because she’s so brilliant, and she’s going to be working with Ben. I feel like we’ve got a bit of an A-team,” Reilly added, before touching again on Sheridan’s potential involvement.

She continued, “I think Taylor is going to be involved as far as some story ideas as well, which is great. So I feel excited about a season two because I want it to be better. I want it to be great. I’m excited to get my hands dirty after a bit of time to digest what we’ve just done.”