Ever since Yellowstone ended, fans have been anxious to see what Rip Wheeler (Cole Hauser) and Beth Dutton (Kelly Reilly) will get up to

on their new little “Dutton Ranch” out in Western Montana. The way the flagship program ended, we know this isn’t the end of the story

for either of them. But things are taking a serious turn as the pair’s spin-off sequel series, previously known as Dutton Ranch, appears to be

 

 

pivoting down south — way down south. If you guessed that Taylor Sheridan has relocated his highly anticipated sequel spin-off to the Lone Star State, you’d be right. The question is, is this what’s best for the Yellowstone universe?

While Yellowstone was no stranger to filming in states other than Montana (it shot partially in Utah in the first three seasons and partially in Texas in the final two), the new spin-off has reportedly begun filming down in Ferries, Texas. Located just outside of Dallas, the production is currently operating under the working title of Rio Palo, and though this new name is reportedly temporary, it has led many to

 

 

wonder about the future of the Dutton drama. “Rio Palo” translates to “Stick River” in Spanish, but that doesn’t clue us in to what exactly is going on here. The whole thing came as quite a shock to fans, who understandably assumed that Rip and Beth would remain in Montana after the Yellowstone finale, “Life Is a Promise.” After all, the series ended with the two moving with Carter (Finn Little) — who is for sure returning — to the other side of the state. However, now we’re left wondering if the trio may be migrating down south for good.

Of course, the project filming in Texas could mean just about anything. After all, Yellowstone spent some time in Texas in its final two seasons (perhaps most notably in the latter half of Season 5, more on that in a moment), and the prequel shows 1883 and 1923 both featured characters passing through the Lone Star State on their way to Montana. It’s not exactly surprising either that Sheridan would want to redirect filming to a location closer to home, as he himself lives in Texas. Furthermore, it’s possible that there are sequences in this continuation series that will either take place in Texas proper or in Montana-like locations in Texas that could easily double for Big Sky Country. Right now, most of this is, admittedly, pure speculation. But perhaps the best thing for the Rip/Beth spin-off would be to leave Montana behind altogether. After all, Yellowstone did set that up…

The explanation that makes the most sense for why this series is being shot down in Texas is that Beth and Rip have decided to move on from Montana, instead staking their claim down in Texas after the way that Yellowstone ended. If you recall, throughout the first few episodes of Season 5B, Rip and Beth spent time in Texas while the former was working cattle on the Four Sixes Ranch. While down there, they spoke (on more than one occasion) about how living in a place where being a cowboy is actually cherished and honored would be more ideal than what Paradise Valley — and Montana in general — has become. Although the pair bought land outside of Dillon, Montana to restart after giving up the Yellowstone Dutton Ranch, it’s possible that Rip, Beth, and Carter will be moving for good, and that may not be a bad thing.

For one thing, this move would allow the new spin-off to stand on its own legs apart from Yellowstone and all the Montana-based adventures that took place there. It would further distance Beth from any fallout post-Jamie’s (Wes Bentley) death, and it would likewise push Rip away from the bodies decomposing at the train station. The pair has already found elements of Texas that they like, and Rip and Carter in particular would fit in with no problem. With so many cities peppered throughout the state — including Dallas, Huston, Austin, San Antonio, El Paso, Amarillo, and more — it’s not like there would be any shortage of things for Beth to do either, especially if she were to get back into corporate acquisitions. Moving from Montana to Texas would certainly open up the world of this Yellowstone spin-off beyond the borders of the ever-growing northwestern state.