A recognisable face from Taylor Sheridan’s television world has been cast in the Yellowstone spin-off, The Dutton Ranch.

The forthcoming sequel series will follow Beth Dutton ( Kelly Reilly ) and Rip Wheeler (Cole Hauser) as they navigate life after the tragic death of Beth’s father, ranch patriarch John Dutton ( Kevin Costner ).

 

 

According to casting news from Variety, actor JR Villarreal has signed on to portray a character called Azul.

By Lucas Hill-Paul
10:21, 16 Dec 2025
A recognisable face from Taylor Sheridan’s television world has been cast in the Yellowstone spin-off, The Dutton Ranch.

The forthcoming sequel series will follow Beth Dutton ( Kelly Reilly ) and Rip Wheeler (Cole Hauser) as they navigate life after the tragic death of Beth’s father, ranch patriarch John Dutton ( Kevin Costner ).

 

 

According to casting news from Variety, actor JR Villarreal has signed on to portray a character called Azul.

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He’s been described as “a whipcord wrangler as Rip’s high-hand man” and is set to feature prominently throughout the series.

 

 

Azul will assist Beth and Rip with the day-to-day running of the Yellowstone ranch, though he may find himself dealing with dangerous situations as fresh adversaries surface in the wake of the Dutton patriarch’s death, reports the Express

However, Villarreal will be most familiar to viewers of Sheridan’s television output for his completely different role in the popular Paramount+ series Landman.

 

 

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The Dutton Ranch spin-off is expected to introduce an entirely fresh cast of ranch hands, bidding farewell to familiar faces such as Lloyd (Forrie J. Smith), Ryan (Ian Bohen) and Teeter (Jennifer Landon).

An official synopsis for the forthcoming sequel states: “Beth and Rip are grateful for the peace they sought, fought, and nearly died for with their 7,000-acre Dutton Ranch.