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Now that Rip Wheeler (Cole Hauser) is in charge of the 10-Petal Ranch, his role of fixer has been passed down to someone else — and Dutton Ranch fans are divided.
A new role for Rip doesn’t mean that Hauser is exiting the show, it just means that he’s growing and maturing after leaving Montana with Beth Dutton (Kelly Reilly). The couple relocated to Texas during the Dutton Ranch premiere, which debuted on Paramount+ last month. Now that Rip is running a ranch of his own, the cowboy isn’t answering to anyone.
“It’s like going to the moon for these characters,” Hauser told People last month of Beth and Rip relocating to Texas. “They don’t know the land or the people or the environment.”
Reilly added, “And they don’t know them. They don’t know who these guys are. They don’t know what they’re dealing with.”
However, as expected, the couple has made it their own.
Keep scrolling for everything to know about Rip’s replacement on Dutton Ranch:
Has Rip Wheeler Been Replaced on ‘Dutton Ranch’?
The answer is more complicated than just yes and no.
While Rip is no longer a ranch hand or fixer for anyone, he’s still working for the 10-Petal Ranch. In fact, he’s in charge.
Who Is Taking Over Rip Wheeler’s Duties on ‘Dutton Ranch’?
Rip’s former duties will go to two different characters. Azul (J.R. Villarreal) will take on Rip’s role as foreman at the Dutton Ranch alongside Zachariah (Marc Menchaca).
Zachariah is a cowboy recently released from prison who finds work on the Dutton Ranch.
“He was a cowboy that they trashed around and he’d go work on ranches here and there. He was just one of those guys who rodeo and work to get by. That’s the part of the cowboy life that’s the whole core,” Menchaca told Us Weekly exclusively of his character. “It’s incredibly exciting because you never know what’s going to happen — either on the back of a bucking horse or if you’re out roping. There’s an element of surprise always around.”
On the 10-Petal Ranch, meanwhile, Rip has Chet (Hart Denton) as his foreman. Viewers will recognize Rip’s brutality as they see the dark side of this character come to light.
What Have Fans Said About Rip’s Replacements on ‘Dutton Ranch’?
Some fans are confused, wondering if Hauser will be leaving Dutton Ranch.
“Cole can not leave the show,” one comment on Facebook reads. “He is the best actor on there. We all love him so much.”
Another commenter explained that Rip is being “leveled up” to a higher role within the ranch instead of “fixer.” They added, “Because Rip is now calling the ultimate shots and filling the shoes of a John Dutton-style patriarch.”
Dutton Ranch has yet to be renewed for a second season.
