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‘Yellowstone’ Star Cole Hauser Reveals Moment He Knew Show Was a Success

“Yellowstone” ended Season 3 as cable’s No. 1 drama, and fortunately, “Yellowstone” star Cole Hauser has been able to enjoy the show’s success. The fans are respectful, the storytelling is masterful and his co-stars are a joy to work with.

It took a little while for the show to build to what it is now, but Hauser knew almost immediately that it was going to have a following. As the “Yellowstone” star told Cowboys & Indians this month, “Yellowstone” began as a “very grassroots” phenomenon. But it has morphed into a multi-generational hit.

Hauser said he knew “Yellowstone” was going to be a success “after the first episode of the first season.”

“I mean, it started as a very grassroots show. It obviously wasn’t what it is now. But there were people throughout the country who were watching very closely right out of the gates,” he said.

Cole Hauser Credits Kevin Costner With the Show’s Initial Popularity

Hauser is good friends with “Yellowstone” star and executive producer Kevin Costner, who plays John Dutton on the show. And he has great respect for Costner’s work, which he credits with drawing that major initial audience to “Yellowstone.”

“I think a lot of that had to do with Kevin Costner and the great body of work that he has behind him,” Hauser explained. “And not only the body of work, but the westerns that he’s done, like ‘Dances With Wolves’ — wonderful stuff that he’s created. It brought in this audience that has been watching him, I think, for a very long time.”

Hauser’s friendship with Costner translates to an easy rapport between their two characters. As John’s enforcer, Rip usually has an intuitive grasp of what his boss wants, and he loyally carries it out to the letter. And John trusts Rip with the ranch’s darkest secrets. Still, Rip is always deferential around John, rarely daring to engage in jocular banter with his boss.

‘Yellowstone’ Has Now Reached Younger Audiences, Too

Over time, “Yellowstone” gained in popularity, and it drew new fans who were watching the show on its own merits, not necessarily for any one of its stars. Indeed, one of the show’s virtues is that it’s an ensemble drama with multiple strong performances.

Hauser has been thrilled to see “Yellowstone” resonate with new audiences, including people his kids’ ages. And he said fans of all ages have behaved themselves well around him.

“I think it’s bled into the younger crowd, which has really been cool to see over the last couple of years,” Hauser continued. “There are more and more younger people coming up to me and talking about this show than there were initially. I mean, I was at a high school football game the other day here in Florida, and I was shocked that 16-year-olds, 14-year-olds, 18-year-olds — male and female — are watching the show and are blown away and love it. It wasn’t that way initially.”

No doubt some of those kids will be among the millions of people tuning in for the “Yellowstone” Season 4 premiere. It drops Sunday, Nov. 7, exclusively on the Paramount Network. “Yellowstone” fans are not likely to miss it, but if you’re not among them, you can tune in to find out what all the fuss is about.