Actor Ed Harris has voiced his disappointment with his experience on the Yellowstone spinoff 'Dutton Ranch,' stating he felt "a little bit misled" regarding his character's role and significance.
Harris, who plays veterinarian Everett McKinney, shared in an interview with Variety that he was initially told he would be one of the four main characters. However, he felt his role was less substantial than anticipated during the first season. "I felt a little bit unused and inconsequential," Harris told the outlet. While filming for the second season is scheduled to begin in February and he has been assured his character will have a more prominent role, Harris admitted to feeling "a little frustrated" with his Season 1 experience.
Adding to his frustration, Harris was particularly upset about a scene that was cut from Season 1, Episode 2. He had been informed prior to signing on that he would have an opportunity to sing in a bar scene. "One of the things they told me before I signed on, ‘Hey, you get to sing in the bar,'" Harris recalled. "So there’s this scene in there…. I’m talking to Kelly at the bar and Cole comes in and says, ‘Ok Everett, come on, it’s your turn.’ I walk up to the mic, and they cut it. They cut the song out. I’m going, ‘Fuck you people.'"
The scene was reportedly cut because it was deemed too upbeat for the episode's "dark ending." Harris stated that this decision alone was enough reason for him to consider voiding his contract.
'Dutton Ranch' recently underwent a showrunner change, with Benjamin Cavell taking over the role for Season 2 following Chad Feehan's departure. Paramount+ renewed the series in June.