“The show is definitely from Beth’s POV”: Let’s Face It, ‘Yellowstone’ Was Never About Kevin Costner but Taylor Sheridan’s Next Spinoff Still Makes No Sense

Without character development, without new emotional stakes, ‘Yellowstone’s next spinoff might end up being a story that doesn’t make sense at all.

“You don’t know what you’ve got ‘til it’s gone,” they say, and that might be the perfect line for Yellowstone, where the heart of the show, despite all the rugged landscapes and cowboy grit, was never really about the cattle or the land. Then? It was about Beth Dutton….and viewers would agree!

Kelly Reilly in Yellowstone as Beth Dutton | Credit Paramount Network

Let’s be honest: Yellowstone was never really about Kevin Costner. Sure, his presence gave the show its star power, but the heart of Yellowstone has always been the Dutton family—especially the fierce and complicated women like Beth Dutton.

From the very beginning, it was clear that Taylor Sheridan was more interested in the family dynamics, the raw struggles of land and legacy, and the way his characters wrestle with their demons. Costner’s John Dutton was just one piece in a much larger puzzle.

Fans question the future of Yellowstone’s legacy

So, if we were to take Kevin Costner out of the equation, does the Yellowstone universe still hold up? Fans are starting to think Taylor Sheridan’s next move—Beth and Rip’s spinoff—might not make much sense after all. And trust us, it’s not just the drama-hungry fanatics who think this.

Fans are speaking out, questioning how this story can continue when there’s been little to no character development. But don’t take our word for it. One fan said:

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Sure, Yellowstone is often marketed as a family saga about land, cattle, and the Dutton legacy, but anyone paying attention knows Beth is the true engine behind this show’s drama. Beth’s transformation from a hard-edged, vengeful daughter to a woman learning how to love (and be loved) is the real emotional backbone of the series.

Kelly Reilly as Beth Dutton | Credit Paramount Network

So when fans tune in to the show, it’s not to see John Dutton save his ranch; it’s to watch Beth take down every obstacle that’s been thrown her way—her family, her past, and even herself. The fan’s observation that “the show is definitely from Beth’s POV” does make sense. Yellowstone became more of a character study of Beth Dutton, a woman who never quite fit into the world she was born into but was strong enough to break all the molds along the way.

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But then Yellowstone ended, and just when Beth finally got her happy ending, word broke about a spinoff starring her and Rip. Sure, we love the idea of them living happily ever after in their little Montana ranch, but the question still stands: What’s left to tell?

Beth and Rip’s spinoff: Can it survive without real character development?

Without meaningful character growth, any spinoff is just a forced extension of a story that has already reached its emotional peak.

Yellowstone gave us a glimpse of Beth and Rip’s future, with the final scene showing them starting fresh.

It was a moment that felt earned—a conclusion to their tumultuous, often tragic, relationship. But now, Taylor Sheridan wants to take that moment and spin it into something more.

Beth Dutton and Rip Wheeler in Yellowstone |Credits: Paramount Network

However, the harsh reality is that there’s just not much more to explore with Beth and Rip if they’re left to their own devices.

What happens next? Will they suddenly face a new foe? Will their marriage be tested in ways that feel forced rather than organic? Fans are skeptical, and it’s easy to see why.

Yellowstone gave Beth the growth she deserved. Now, how do you keep the audience engaged in a story that doesn’t have room for more growth? You can’t.

Unfortunately, a lack of character evolution is something that Sheridan’s spinoff is at risk of falling into.

Fans have started to express their concerns, and let’s face it, they’re right to do so. Without proper character development, this new spinoff risks becoming a watered-down version of what we loved about Yellowstone.

As Christina Voros, Yellowstone executive producer, pointed out (via Hollywood Reporter), Sheridan’s writing can easily lean into “another tragedy”, and that might be the direction the spinoff takes.

Also, note that despite her powerhouse performance as Beth Dutton, Kelly Reilly, the actress behind the fierce and fiery character of Yellowstone, has yet to see the recognition she deserves in the form of awards.

Ergo, while Sheridan may have had the golden touch with Yellowstone, the upcoming spinoff featuring Beth and Rip feels like a forced continuation rather than a natural evolution of their story. So here’s hoping Sheridan finds a way to do justice to these characters—or else the spinoff could end up just another ride through an already familiar sunset.

Yellowstone is streaming on Peacock.