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‘Yellowstone’ Star Cole Hauser Promises Season 4 Will Explore What Makes Rip Tick

“Yellowstone” star Cole Hauser knew from the moment he read the pilot that Rip Wheeler was the role for him. And he’s developed Rip into a complex character rife with contradictions and layers. But what’s in store for Rip in Season 4?

Cowboys & Indians recently caught up with Hauser at his family’s house in Florida, and Hauser shared a few guarded hints (no spoilers!) about what the next season of “Yellowstone” will include.

Among the revelations: Season 4 will bring new insights into what makes Rip tick. Rip is a very different person in his relationship with Beth Dutton (Kelly Reilly) than in his relationship with, say, Jimmy Hurdstrom (Jefferson White). But Hauser manages to bring out the various sides of Rip in a way that feels coherent, and audiences can expect to see more of Rip’s colors in Season 4.

Cole Hauser Offers a Peek into Season 4

Season 4 of “Yellowstone” will peel back the layers of Rip’s relationships with characters from past seasons, Hauser told Cowboys & Indians. It will also introduce at least one fresh character who brings out a new side of Rip.

“Well, each year you get to know a little bit more about what makes him tick in his relationships — not only with John Dutton [Kevin Costner], but with Beth, her brothers, the guys in the bunkhouse,” Hauser said. “And Taylor does another wonderful job of kind of opening the onion when it comes to Rip’s heart.”

“There’s a wonderful relationship — which I won’t give away — with Beth and I that comes into our life,” he added. “And again, it shows another side of not only Rip, but also Beth, and also John Dutton. So, it’s another excellent year of storytelling by Taylor Sheridan, and I’m looking forward to seeing what the audience thinks.”

Fans will no doubt be glad to read further confirmation that Beth survives the blast from the Season 3 finale. But who could this new relationship be with? Could Rip and Beth become adoptive parents to Carter (Finn Little), the tough youth who shows up on the ranch next season? Time will tell.

‘Yellowstone’ Season 4 Should Resolve the Season 3 Cliffhanger

When Season 3 ended, Rip was beginning to sense that the Duttons were in serious trouble. John was not answering his phone, because he had been gunned down in a drive-by shooting. Neither was Beth, who had disappeared into the explosion that rocked her office after her assistant opened a suspicious package. Rip couldn’t even reach Kayce Dutton (Luke Grimes), who was facing a pack of armed intruders at his office.

To make matters worse, Jamie Dutton (Wes Bentley) had just coldly told Rip not to call him anymore, setting off alarm bells for Rip. Is Jamie going to become a full-fledged “Yellowstone” villain next season? Will Rip be able to track down whomever was responsible for the attacks on the Duttons?

As fans have hoped, and as “Yellowstone” has promised in trailers, revenge is coming for those who attacked the Dutton family. And Rip is just the man to deliver it.