Has the Yellowstone universe found its next Beth Dutton? According to reports, the Season 1 finale of Dutton Ranch appears to set up Oreana Jackson, played by Natalie Alyn Lind, as a character who could follow a path similar to Kelly Reilly’s Beth Dutton. Oreana and Beth come from powerful ranching families, but neither woman appears eager to inherit the family business. However, both are fiercely loyal to their families and are pulled into dangerous situations surrounding their ranches.
The Season 1 finale brings major trouble to the 10-Petal Ranch. Beulah Jackson (Annette Bening) and her sons Rob-Will (Jai Courtney) and Joaquin (Juan Pablo Raba) are exposed for their involvement in a drug-smuggling operation. Years earlier, financial problems forced Beulah to make a dangerous deal with Mariano Reyes (Raoul Max Trujillo), Joaquin’s father. Drugs were hidden inside cattle shipments as part of a fentanyl-smuggling operation. Beth and Rip Wheeler (Cole Hauser) become involved after they ask Everette McKinney (Ed Harris) to investigate what is happening at the ranch. A veterinarian eventually confirms that drugs are being hidden inside the cattle.
Rob-Will’s fate leaves Oreana devastated
The situation becomes even more dangerous when Mariano orders Joaquin to kill his brother Rob-Will. The shooting takes place offscreen, leaving it unclear who actually killed Rob-Will. Oreana later finds her father bleeding on the ground, giving the character one of the finale's most emotional moments. The tragedy also creates an interesting parallel with Beth Dutton. Beth had to deal with the sudden death of her father, John Dutton, in Yellowstone. Oreana is now facing the shock of losing her own father under similarly violent circumstances.
The similarities between the two characters go beyond their family backgrounds. Both Oreana and Beth are strong-willed women connected to major ranching legacies. Neither seems particularly interested in taking over the family empire, but both become deeply involved when their families are threatened.
There is another major connection.In Episode 9, Oreana discovers that she is pregnant. This mirrors Beth's own experience with an accidental pregnancy when she was young. The storyline could become an important part of Oreana's character development in Season 2. Beth also seems to sense that something is wrong with Oreana when she visits the 10-Petal Ranch while searching for Carter.
What happens to Oreana in Season 2?
The Season 1 finale leaves Oreana facing several unanswered questions, including her father's death, her pregnancy and the growing conflict between the Dutton family and the cartel. Carter is also caught up in the chaos after the cartel kidnaps him. With Dutton Ranch returning for Season 2, Oreana's story could become one of the franchise's major storylines. For Yellowstone fans, the biggest question may now be whether Oreana is simply inspired by Beth's story — or whether she is being prepared to become the franchise's next Beth Dutton.
