Ed Harris said he felt “misled” about the size and importance of his role in Dutton Ranch, the Yellowstone spinoff. The actor said his frustration became so intense during production that he told his team to “get me the fuck out of here.”
Harris plays Everett McKinney, a good-humored veterinarian, and is signed on for two seasons of the Paramount+ series. It remains unclear whether he is actively seeking to leave the show despite describing his dissatisfaction with the first season.
Expectations Did Not Match the Role
Speaking to Variety‘s Marc Malkin at the Monday-night premiere of Apple TV’s The Dink, Harris said he had been given a different impression before joining the cast. He said he was told Everett would be one of four main characters and would have a significant role across the season.
“Prior to signing on for it, I was talked to quite a bit about what the season was, and what my character was going to do — and that I was one of the four main characters,” Harris said. “And that wasn’t really the case.”
Harris said he raised his concerns during production, describing himself as “underused and inconsequential.” He said he has since been told that Everett may have more to do in Season 2, though he acknowledged he was frustrated at the time.
A Cut Scene Added to His Frustration
One deleted moment appears to have particularly upset Harris: a bar scene in which Everett was set to sing after talking with Beth Dutton. Rip Wheeler enters the scene and tells Everett it is his turn, but the song was ultimately removed from the episode.
“I walk up to the mic, and they cut it. They cut the song out,” Harris said. “I’m going, ‘Fuck you, people.’”
According to Harris, the production explained that the musical moment was cut because it was too “up” for the episode’s dark ending. He said the decision felt significant enough at the time that he considered voiding his contract.
After watching Dutton Ranch, however, Harris said he thought the series was “pretty good” and that Everett seemed relatively important to the story. During filming, he said, it did not feel that way.
The series premiered on Paramount+ on May 15 and follows Beth Dutton, played by Kelly Reilly, and Rip Wheeler, played by Cole Hauser, as they leave Montana to build a ranch in South Texas. The ensemble also includes Finn Little, Juan Pablo Raba, Jai Courtney, J.R. Villarreal, Marc Menchaca, Natalie Alyn Lind and Annette Bening.
Spokespeople for Paramount, creator Taylor Sheridan and 101 Studios did not immediately respond to Variety’s request for comment on Harris’ remarks.