Taylor Sheridan’s expanding neo-Western universe has found a clear successor to one of Yellowstone’s most important ranch roles.
Rip Wheeler, played by Cole Hauser, spent much of Yellowstone as John Dutton’s fiercely loyal foreman, enforcer and right-hand man. But Dutton Ranch has changed the equation. Rip is now running his own operation alongside Beth Dutton, played by Kelly Reilly, leaving a vacancy beneath him.
That vacancy appears to have been filled by Azul (J.R. Villarreal).
Azul has taken over Rip’s old position
Rip’s new role is one of the biggest changes in Dutton Ranch. Instead of taking orders from John Dutton, he is now responsible for running his own cattle operation.
That means Rip needs his own trusted ranch hands. Azul and his longtime friend Zachariah (Marc Menchaca) have become important members of Rip’s crew, with Azul increasingly resembling the dependable foreman Rip once was at Yellowstone.
