Yellowstone Stunt Coordinator Spills on Beth and Rip Spinoff

Despite Kevin Costner’s departure significantly influencing the fanbase of the Yellowstone franchise, creator Taylor Sheridan is undeterred in his ambition to further develop the Dutton family’s storyline. The second season of 1923 concluded early in the 2025 television schedule, with little news about the next prequel, 1944. However, the future looks promising with the upcoming Beth and Rip spinoff scheduled for release in November.

Jason Rodriguez isn’t just a common factor among Taylor Sheridan’s projects, but rather a crucial link. He has been instrumental in each series centered around the Dutton family, and has collaborated with Sheridan on Billy Bob Thornton’s “Landman” too. Moreover, Rodriguez will be responsible for much of the action when Kelly Reilly’s Beth and Cole Hauser’s Rip return to our screens. During my conversation with Rodriguez about his remarkable work in western dramas, I inquired about what he finds most enticing about Taylor’s scripts, and he shared that:

What I find most captivating about Taylor is his ability to craft genuine, unfiltered action sequences that require minimal reliance on visual effects. His background in the Wild West is evident in his writing, particularly when it comes to horse stunts and similar elements. This aspect is more pronounced in works like 1883 or 1923 due to their historical setting, but even in Yellowstone, he manages to incorporate some exceptional ones across all seasons. These action scenes are what I find most thrilling.

If you’re someone who appreciates performing horse stunts, I can hardly think of a TV show or streaming platform more suitable for Jason Rodriguez than the series Yellowstone and its spinoffs. From the riding scenes (often accompanied by a melancholic country tune) to the roping scenes (which usually feature a more lively tune) to unique instances like the horse-related fatality in Season 5.

Given that both Cole Hauser and Kelly Reilly have extensive experience with horse riding, it’s likely we’ll encounter more equestrian-focused stunts in the upcoming series sequel. Interestingly, Hauser himself confirmed that the series will not be called “Dutton Ranch,” which was initially suggested as a working title.

In contrast to the way stunts were managed in the historically-based prequels, Rodriguez noted that the approach for stunts in the contemporary series Yellowstone is distinct.

In 1883, the production was primarily centered around thrilling stunts. It was essentially an action-packed series, with numerous practical stunts performed by skilled cowboy stuntmen. The atmosphere was consistently filled with gunfire and non-stop action. However, unlike 1883, Yellowstone offers a more diverse range of action sequences, including horseback stunts, car chases, and fights. In essence, Yellowstone provides a broader platform for showcasing various types of action scenes.

As a devoted fan, I must say that the gripping horseback action scenes in 1883 truly stood out for me, particularly the heartrending confrontation that marked Isabel May’s Elsa Dutton’s season finale. It wasn’t just the family tragedy it brought about, but the masterful way it was executed that left an impact. As we draw closer to contemporary times in these shows, it’s fascinating to see the diverse array of stunt sequences that Rodriguez can now employ. Obviously, a drive-by shooting isn’t feasible before the advent of cars and roads!

The enthusiasm of the stunt coordinator for the forthcoming Beth and Rip series amplified my own anticipation even more when I inquired about his preferred collaborators among the cast and who seemed most eager to handle fight scenes and other daring stunts. Interestingly, his top picks often aligned, as he revealed:

I enjoy collaborating with everyone on our team, particularly the cast members. It seems that Cole is my most frequent collaborator due to his high energy output. That being said, Kelly Reilly is exceptional as well. In recent seasons, we’ve had some fantastic opportunities to choreograph fight scenes together, and she always brings such passion and dedication to her work. She’s deeply committed to portraying her characters authentically and maintaining their integrity on screen.

Rodriguez praised Cole Hauser and Kelly Reilly for their eagerness to participate extensively in their characters’ stunts. They were so dedicated that he detailed the filming of Beth and Jamie’s final, deadly fight scene, which relied heavily on them and only a few stunt doubles and edits. With these two taking center stage in the upcoming spinoff, I can only guess how many innovative ways Sheridan and his team will depict Rip delivering a powerful kick to an opponent’s face.

More Yellowstone To Obsess Over

As a devoted fan of the Dutton family, I’ve delved deep into their lineage by creating a detailed diagram. I’ve also identified the unanswered questions that still remain for us to ponder and discuss.

In fairness, Rodriguez also mentioned Jen Landon as another cast member he enjoys collaborating with, praising her eagerness to experiment for a scene. Furthermore, he acknowledged Luke Grimes’ skillful execution of Kayce’s stunts on Yellowstone.

In my conversation with Rodriquez when it was announced that CBS would debut the Grimes-led spinoff during midseason, I inquired about his possible involvement in stunt coordination for the franchise’s inaugural television series. He hinted at scheduling conflicts in his response.

I haven’t decided on it yet, as I’m currently occupied with other projects for Taylor. The timing depends on when his upcoming show is scheduled, rather than Dutton Ranch or any other projects I am working on for him.

It appears that Rodriguez is managing Season 2 of “Landman,” although he was somewhat vague when discussing the specific projects he has in store, refraining from providing clear insights about the spinoff featuring Michele Pfeiffer, titled “The Madison“. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that he gets to demonstrate his skills across all “Yellowstone” productions, as the franchise’s equestrian scenes and intense feuds never fail to outshine other aspects in each episode.

Fans should stay attentive and informed as they wait for updates on the release date of Beth and Rip’s spinoff, but not to the point of completely covering their eyes and ears with their cowboy hats.

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2025-06-30 03:38