‘Yellowstone’ Star Cole Hauser on Why Rip Is the Perfect Man: “He Listens More Than He Speaks”

Things are changing on Yellowstone, and no one feels that more than Cole Hauser‘s Rip Wheeler. With John Dutton officially the governor of Montana, Rip will have to step up even more to keep the Duttons’ beloved ranch in business. Over the course of the 5 seasons of Yellowstone, we’ve seen glimpses of Rip’s journey from wayward teen (played by Kyle Red Silverstein) to lovestruck ranch hand to loyal foreman to devoted son-in-law. However, what has cemented Rip Wheeler’s place in the hearts of Yellowstone fans and women everywhere is his epic romance with the self-destructive, rebellious, intelligent and fiercely loving Beth Dutton (Kelly Reilly).

In the Season 5 premiere, we see Beth struggle with memories of her past bad behavior towards her now-husband in their youth. She recalls belittling him on their first date and hooking up with another ranch hand later in the evening along with many other indignities, and deeply regrets how much time she wasted. Rip, however, never dwells on the past and urges her to move on. He tells her reassuringly: “I’m happy, Beth. With you, with life, everything’s good.” Fans will have to wait and see if Beth heeds his advice and moves forward, or if she, in Rip’s words, keeps “beating the shit out of herself.”

Decider got the chance to sit with Hauser for a few minutes to ask about what Rip and Beth’s journey will entail this reason, how Rip’s new responsibilities at the ranch will affect him, and, most importantly, what makes Rip the perfect man.

DECIDER: It’s pretty clear John Dutton’s going to be very busy in Helena for the next four years. How will this affect Rip and the Yellowstone?

COLE HAUSER: Taylor [Sheridan] gets into it a little bit this year. There’s more responsibility for who is not just in charge of the bunkhouse anymore. He is actually the foreman of the whole ranch. What’s great about Taylor’s writing is that he finds ways to bring John back to the Yellowstone throughout the season. Even though Rip is on his own, John drops little diamonds of great advice to help Rip to succeed. However, as Rip discovers, there are proper steps to running the operations of the ranch when it comes to the cows and all the land, and ultimately, he’s got to figure them out for himself. It’s John Dutton’s ranch, but he has given Rip the reins and wants him to think on his own. I love that Taylor wrote the show in such a way as to allow Rip to mature.

We catch a bit of Finn Little’s Carter at the end of the episode. How does Rip’s relationship with Carter evolve in Season 5?

There were a lot of people in season four that thought Rip was really mean to Carter, but it was hard love. I wouldn’t say that Rip is totally softening toward the kid, but there are hints of that.

Rip calmly compares John Dutton at his victory party at the Yellowstone to Nero playing his fiddle while Rome burned. Despite John’s gubernational win, Rip ads that he thinks John is “gonna lose this place.” How is Rip so seemingly at peace with this prophetic vision?

[Laughs] That’s just who Rip is. When the bullets fly, that’s the guy that you want around.

In the season premiere, Beth apologizes to Rip for mistreating him in their youth. Rip has long since moved on while she continues to dwell in the past and kick herself for her cruelty.

The one thing that I think separates Rip from most people is that he lives in the present and in the future. He doesn’t look to the past.

What can you tease about Rip and Beth’s journey this season?

I love the story that Taylor wrote for them this season. Beth has to face the consequences for actions in her past while Rip must support her through that process. He understands her insecurities and the things that she’s going through. He’s just that rock for her. He’s the man that I think every woman would love to have, one who listens more than he speaks.

A good quality for a man to have!

My wife would agree.