'Dutton Ranch' Showrunner Chad Feehan Fired Before Season 1 Debut

All is not quiet on the Yellowstone front. Chad Feehan, the showrunner of the highly anticipated Yellowstone spin-off Dutton Ranch, has exited the show three weeks prior to its series premiere. Feehan will not return for Season 2 should it get the greenlight. According to Puck, Feehan was "quietly let go" and told that he "won't return" for the show's sophomore effort.

Puck added that Taylor Sheridan, the creator of the Yellowstone franchise, took issue with how Feehan ran production. He also clashed on set with Kelly Reilly and Cole Hauser, who play Beth Dutton and Rip Wheeler, respectively, along with "other key players." Sheridan, producer David Glasser, and the show's stars weren't happy with Feehan, leading to his exit. Feehan is credited as the creator of Dutton Ranch and as an executive producer.

Per Variety, the Sheridan-verse is no stranger to drama. Season 4 of Tulsa King barreled into production sans a showrunner, with Scott Stone, an executive spearheading production for 101 Studios, taking the reins. Dave Erickson was the fourth season's showrunner before his removal.

Dutton Ranch follows Beth and Rip as they "fight to build a future together - far from the ghosts of Yellowstone." In a synopsis per Paramount, "they collide with brutal new realities and a ruthless rival ranch that will stop at nothing to protect its empire. In South Texas, blood runs deeper, forgiveness is fleeting, and the cost of survival might just be your soul."

In addition to Reilly and Hauser, the drama stars Finn Little (who reprises his role as Carter), Juan Pablo Raba, Jai Courtney, J.R. Villarreal, Marc Menchaca, Natalie Alyn Lind, and Ed Harris and Annette Bening.

The nine-episode first season of Dutton Ranch premieres on Friday, May 15, on Paramount+, with two episodes, followed by weekly releases until the finale on July 3.

This story was originally published by Men's Journal on Apr 24, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Men's Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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This story was originally published April 24, 2026 at 9:56 AM.