Yellowstone Cast and Characters A Complete Guide to the Dutton Family
The Yellowstone universe, created by Taylor Sheridan, has captured audiences worldwide with its sweeping landscapes, intense drama, and complex characters. At the center of the saga stands the Dutton family, a dynasty whose struggles to protect their Montana ranch have become the heart of the story. With Yellowstone, along with prequels like 1883 and 1923, the Dutton legacy spans generations, making it one of television’s richest family sagas. This guide takes a deep dive into the key members of the Dutton family, their allies, and their enemies, offering a complete look at the cast and characters who have defined the series.
John Dutton III (Kevin Costner)
John Dutton is the patriarch of the Dutton family and the owner of the Yellowstone Dutton Ranch, the largest contiguous ranch in the United States. Played by Academy Award–winner Kevin Costner, John embodies both the strength and flaws of a man who will do anything to protect his land and family. He is ruthless in business and politics, often blurring moral lines, but also deeply loyal to his bloodline. John’s leadership defines the ranch’s identity, and his decisions—whether wise or destructive—set the course for everyone connected to Yellowstone.
Beth Dutton (Kelly Reilly)
Beth is John’s only daughter, and perhaps the most formidable member of the Dutton family. Portrayed by Kelly Reilly, Beth is sharp, fiercely intelligent, and utterly fearless, whether she is battling in the corporate world or taking on rivals threatening the ranch. Her scars run deep—both literal and emotional—shaping her into a woman who trusts few and loves fewer. Her relationship with Rip Wheeler forms the emotional core of the series, and her loyalty to her father is matched only by her capacity for vengeance. Beth represents the Duttons’ fiery, untamed spirit.
Kayce Dutton (Luke Grimes)
Kayce, John’s youngest son, is a former Navy SEAL who often finds himself torn between duty to his family and his love for his wife Monica and their son Tate. Luke Grimes plays Kayce with quiet intensity, capturing the character’s inner conflict as he struggles with loyalty, morality, and the burden of his family’s legacy. Kayce is often positioned as the Dutton who could lead the ranch into a new era, but his resistance to the corruption and violence around him complicates his path.
Jamie Dutton (Wes Bentley)
Adopted into the family but raised as John’s son, Jamie Dutton is one of the most tragic and conflicted characters in Yellowstone. Played by Wes Bentley, Jamie is a lawyer and politician whose ambition often clashes with his need for acceptance and love. His discovery about his true parentage created a rift that continues to grow, fueling his resentment and driving him into questionable alliances. Jamie’s strained relationship with Beth, filled with resentment and betrayal, adds some of the most explosive tension to the series.
Rip Wheeler (Cole Hauser)
Though not a blood Dutton, Rip Wheeler is the ranch’s enforcer and the beating heart of the Yellowstone family. Brought in as a troubled youth and mentored by John, Rip grew into a loyal protector, both feared and respected by everyone who crosses his path. Portrayed with grit and quiet strength by Cole Hauser, Rip’s love for Beth softens his hardened exterior, giving audiences a glimpse of vulnerability beneath the tough cowboy. His loyalty to John and the ranch is unwavering, making him one of the most iconic characters in the series.
Monica Dutton (Kelsey Asbille)
Monica, Kayce’s wife, brings a unique perspective to the Dutton world. As a Native American woman with deep ties to the Broken Rock Reservation, Monica often finds herself at odds with the Dutton way of life. Played by Kelsey Asbille, Monica highlights the cultural and moral divides at the heart of the Yellowstone saga. Her struggles to protect Tate while navigating her fraught relationship with Kayce make her one of the show’s most empathetic and grounded figures.