Rotten Tomatoes Score for ‘Yellowstone’ Spin-Off ‘Dutton Ranch’ Drops — Here’s What Critics Are Saying

Dutton Ranch is finally getting ready to premiere on Paramount+, and early reactions from critics show the new Yellowstone spin-off is a hit. The series currently holds an 86% score on Rotten Tomatoes based on the first reviews, though some critics believe the show still relies too heavily on the formula that made Yellowstone such a huge success.

The new series continues the story of Beth Dutton and Rip Wheeler after the events of Yellowstone. Kelly Reilly and Cole Hauser return to play the fan-favorite couple as they leave Montana behind and try to start over in South Texas. According to the official synopsis, their fresh start quickly turns dangerous when they become involved in conflicts with a powerful rival ranch family.

Critics seem to agree on one thing: Beth and Rip are still the main reason to watch. Carissa Pavlica from TV Fanatic praised the chemistry between the two stars and wrote, “Cole Hauser and Kelly Reilly remain magnetic together, and the quieter moments between them are far more compelling than the series’s larger power struggles.”

Several reviewers also said the show still captures the same dramatic energy that made Yellowstone popular in the first place. Rebecca Nicholson from Financial Times called the series “full-bodied, soapy TV fun,” while Peter Martin from ScreenAnarchy praised the first episodes for their pacing and storytelling. “The show motors through the first four episodes with a propulsive energy that pulls the various narrative threads together with clever style,” he wrote.

At the same time, not every critic was fully impressed by the spin-off. Some reviews argued that Dutton Ranch does not do enough to separate itself from Yellowstone. Rodrigo Perez from The Playlist criticized the series for feeling too familiar, writing, “It is not so much a reinvention as a relocation. Swap Montana for Texas, bring Beth and Rip along for the ride, introduce a few new enemies, and let the old Yellowstone machinery grind away.”

Ben Rosenstock from AV Club shared a similar opinion, saying the show is basically “just more Yellowstone, warts and all.” IndieWire’s Ben Travers also suggested the series still needs to find its own identity despite its strong cast.

One part of the show getting attention from critics is the addition of new cast members like Ed Harris and Annette Bening. Many reviews hinted that the veteran actors bring extra weight to the story, especially as the power struggles in Texas begin to grow.

Created by Chad Feehan, Dutton Ranch serves as both a sequel and spin-off to Yellowstone and becomes the fifth series in the growing franchise. Alongside Reilly and Hauser, the cast includes Finn Little, Jai Courtney, Natalie Alyn Lind, Juan Pablo Raba, Marc Menchaca, and J.R. Villarreal.

The series premieres on Paramount+ on May 15, with nine episodes planned for its first season.

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