“Yellowstone” star Cole Hauser was surprised that fans became so enamored with his character Rip Wheeler, given that Rip engages in violent acts as the ranch’s enforcer.
Hauser believed Rip would be hated, but fans, especially women, loved Rip’s “bad boy” nature.
While Rip carries out murders when needed, Hauser noted he also has an “unbelievable heart” and great loyalty.
“And I think that’s what’s the scariest part,” Hauser said, noting that “he is just that kind of animal.”
The “bad guys” Hauser has played “don’t really play themselves as bad guys,” Hauser said.
“At first, to see women coming up and saying, ‘Oh my God, I love your character.’ I was thinking, ‘What’s wrong with you?’” he said.
“What makes [Rip] special is that he has an unbelievable heart too,” Hauser said. “I mean, his loyalty is to not only the Dutton family, but to Beth [Dutton portrayed by Kelly Reilly] and his kindness, other than wanting to kill people at times, is just, to me, it’s the best of both worlds to be able to play.”
The emotional depths that creator Taylor Sheridan has given Rip over five seasons is what engaged Hauser.
The second half of season 5 was delayed but will now air in late 2024.
“You look for colors in characters, and Taylor, in the last five seasons, has given Rip those wonderful colors,” Hauser said.
Co-star Ian Bohen teased that the series finale will be the best conclusion possible and satisfy fans in a way that makes sense, predicting it could be the strongest finale in television history given the patience fans showed amid production delays.
“The fans are going to get the [best] conclusion that could possibly be written,” Bohen said.
He added, “Everything will land in a way that is perfectly set. A lot of shows just kind of finish… and they don’t satisfy you. This will be completed in a way that it will make sense.”
