Yellowstone fans have a decision to make about Season 2 of Landman. The space between the two Taylor Sheridan shows is growing thin with repeated plot lines, episode titles and actors.

How you feel about that is going to shape how you feel about the rest of Season 2. I absolutely love it.

Actors In Landman and Yellowstone

The most obvious way that Landman and Yellowstone are alike is in casting. If you widen Yellowstone to include its prequels, you find at least four actors playing multiple parts: Sam Elliott, Billy Bob Thornton, Michelle Randolph and James Jordan.

Others have crossed the Taylor Sheridan universe with equal ease. Dawn Olivieri, for example, has starred in 1883, Yellowstone and Lioness. Hugh Dillon has appeared in Yellowstone and Mayor of Kingstown, among others.

Sheridan likes working with familiar actors, and honestly, I like that he does. It brings an instant sense of familiarity to any new show.

Where he may draw criticism is in the similar plot lines — but I’m going to defend that, too.

Is Landman Using a Central Yellowstone Plot Line?

Season 2, Episode 2 of Landman was titled “Sins of the Father.” That’s the same name given to Season 2, Episode 10 of Yellowstone, which surely wasn’t accidental.

Like Season 2 (and really all) of Yellowstone, this season of Landman has explored the main character’s complicated relationship with his father. Tommy (Thornton) is brought back to his father after the death of his mother, wife to TL (Elliott).

The similarities keep going. Both shows refer to an off screen mother who’s life was rocked by the death of a baby (John Dutton’s brother, Tommy Norris’ sister). Neither mom recovered to become anything but a shell of her old self, although the consequences were much more dire on this new show.

You could even compare Kayce Dutton and his wife Monica on Yellowstone to Cooper Norris and his girlfriend Ariana on Landman. Both relationships were rushed and rocky. In both shows the man tried to learn a culture unfamiliar to him as well.

Landman VS Yellowstone, Which Show Is Better?

There are also key differences between the shows. Landman doesn’t have a Beth or Rip (Rebecca the lawyer maybe?) and that’s probably for the best. These similarities feel like little hat-tips to longtime fans of the Taylor Sheridan universe but there’s certainly a boundary between tribute and theft.

Right now, Landman is on the right side of that line. Every week I’m searching for little easter eggs to remind me of a great show that ended too soon. Through two seasons, the OG Sheridan show is much better than Landman, but that’s not criticism.

Season 1 and Season 2 of Yellowstone were complex and dramatic and full of mystery. Later, the show would unravel into something of an evening soap opera, but great characters drove the first 20 episodes in ways Sheridan has not repeated (Lioness comes close). Keep the hat-tips coming until a Landman version of Summer Higgins comes along. At that point you’ll know the show has crossed that boundary.

17 Most Stunning Yellowstone Franchise Deaths

No character is safe in Taylor Sheridan’s Yellowstone universe. Here are the 17 most stunning deaths from 1883, 1923 and five seasons of Yellowstone.

Gallery Credit: Billy Dukes

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17. Jamie Dutton, ‘Yellowstone’

Jamie Dutton’s death during the Season 5 Yellowstone finale was seven years in the making. Everyone knew Beth Dutton wanted him dead, but it was still stunning to see it happen.

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16. John Dutton, ‘Yellowstone’

Actor Kevin Costner’s public negotiations with Paramount made it clear that his character would not return to finish Season 5. This made his death inevitable as Part 2 of the final season of Yellowstone began.

Emerson Miller/Paramount+

15. Elsa Dutton, ‘1883’

Elsa Dutton’s death at the end of 1883 would be No. 1 on this list of the Yellowstone franchise’s most surprising deaths, except that we see her got shot through the chest with an arrow in the very first scenes of the prequel.

The show rewinds after that to show James Dutton’s journey northwest, but everyone knows what’s coming.

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14. Shea Brennan, ‘1883’

Captain Shea Brennan was an all-time great franchise character who spent the full season of 1883 in a depression. When he dies by suicide at the end, it seems fitting, but still stunning. Brennan knew what was coming all along, but viewers didn’t.

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13. James Dutton, ‘1883’ (Death Revealed During ‘1923’)

James Dutton survives 1883, but during a flashback scene in Yellowstone we see him get shot by cattle thieves. It’s not until the start of 1923 that we get confirmation of his death, however. It was an underwhelming end for the patriarch.

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12. Margaret Dutton, ‘1883’ (Death Revealed During ‘1923’)

Margaret Dutton’s death was also unexpected. Like James, we learn she died from Elsa’s voiceover at the start of 1923. She froze to death after James died.

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11. Claire Dutton, ‘1883’

Aunt Claire Dutton was a grouch widow set to join the Duttons as they advanced northwest from Texas in 1883. In retrospect, there’s no way she would have survived the journey, but her death by suicide foretold of the great tragedies to come.

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10. John Dutton, ‘1923’

The original John Dutton died in Ep. 3 of 1923 Season 1, and it’s likely he’d rank higher on this list if we got to know him a little better. Similarly, his wife Emma (Jack Dutton’s mom) doesn’t even make this list.

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9. Ennis, ‘1883’

Elsa Dutton falls in love with Ennis during 1883, and they seem set to get married and grow old together. This is the first time this franchise really toyed with our emotions. His stunning death midway through the series changed Elsa’s mood forever.

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8. Donnie Haskell, ‘Yellowstone’

Sheriff Donnie Haskell was a Yellowstone regular who was (mostly) a friend to the Duttons. His death toward the end of Season 4 came out of nowhere. A cafe robbery went wrong and as John and Rip tried to intervene, Donnie caught a stray.

The real-life reason for his character’s death was so actor Hugh Dillon could go on to star in Mayor of Kingstown.

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7. Fred Meyers, ‘Yellowstone’

Fred Meyers was a very small character during Season 1 of Yellowstone, but his death was important. The ranch hand was the first we saw taken to the “train station.” Viewers have no idea what’s happening until Lloyd announces that friend is boarding the “long black train” and shoots him in the head.

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6. Colby Mayfield, ‘Yellowstone’

During Season 5 of Yellowstone, Colby Mayfield tries to help Carter escape from a bucking horse and gets stomped on. The sudden departure of one of the show’s most beloved characters was difficult to process. It truly felt like a life cut short.

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5. Roarke Moris, ‘Yellowstone’

Roarke Morris didn’t quite reach villain status. He was just kind of a pest during Season 3 of Yellowstone, but he did hire men hired to mess with the Duttons, so he had to go. Rip had the pleasure of doing the job. This is the famous snake in a cooler scene that is kind of iconic.

Emerson Miller/Paramount+

4. Alexandra, ‘1923’

If you watched 1883, you recognized Alexandra’s path as being similar to Elsa Dutton’s. Somewhere, we were going to find heartbreak. It came during the series finale, Ep. 7, and it was as emotional as any in this franchise.

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3. Sarah Atwood, ‘Yellowstone’

Sarah Atwood was a villain, and everyone knows that those who come up against the Duttons are vulnerable. That’s why she ranks so high on this list. We knew she would die, but when it happened midway through Season 5, Part B, it was still a jaw-dropper.

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2. Jack Dutton, ‘1923’

The final two deaths on this list of the most stunning deaths in Yellowstone franchise history are very similar. Jack Dutton was bushwhacked by Clyde as he went to join Jacob and the men at the train station. He never even got to pull his gun out.

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1. Lee Dutton

It’s Season 1, Ep. 1 of Yellowstone, and one of the main characters gets killed. That set the tone for the show and franchise. Fall in love with nobody if you don’t want to get your heart broken.

34 ‘Yellowstone’ Facts You Probably Didn’t Know

How big of a fan of Yellowstone are you? These 34 facts about the Paramount Network show are sure to stump even the most dedicated viewers. They’re almost all about the cast members and their real-life passions and roles.

The real-life marriage? Who has the most kills? Who told Taylor Sheridan “No”? These have all been added before Season 5 of Yellowstone resumes on Nov. 10.

John’s kids? Beth’s accent? Rainwater’s guitar playing? Tate’s spoilers? They’re also included on this list of 34 Facts You Probably Didn’t Know About Yellowstone.

Gallery Credit: Billy Dukes

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‘Yellowstone’ Fact No. 34: Who Has the Most Kills?

Heading into Season 5, Part 2 of Yellowstone, Rip Wheeler has the most kills with nine. Kayce Dutton has five, followed by the Beck Brothers (three by proxy) and Agent Steve Hendon (three).

Granted, it’s impossible to tell who killed who during certain scenes. For example, the Season 2 finale is chaos and many people get killed in a hail of gun fire at the start of Season 4. This info is confirmed kills after re-watching and with help from this Yellowstone Wiki page.

Greg Doherty, Getty Images

‘Yellowstone’ Fact No. 33: These Two Got Married

Walker and Laramie were a sexy on-screen couple during Season 4 and Season 5 of Yellowstone, and that chemistry spilled over. The got married in October 2023.

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‘Yellowstone’ Fact No. 32: Why Sam Elliott Said ‘No’

Sam Elliott was terrific on Taylor Sheridan’s 1883, but during that run he admitted to Marc Maron that he said “No” to Yellowstone.

The reason? He doesn’t like the show. Honestly, he blasted it as a soap opera that was too much like “f—ing” Dallas.

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‘Yellowstone’ Fact No. 31: What Lainey Wilson Stole

Lainey Wilson appeared as Abby during Season 5 of Yellowstone, and after filming, she admitted a theft to Taste of Country.

One day, she arrived having not showered or shaved, so she took prop deodorant and razors from the bunk house and made do. Kinda curious to know if she put ’em back.

Keith Griner, Getty Images

‘Yellowstone’ Fact No. 30: The Truth About Zach Bryan’s First Appearance

Yellowstone really wanted to feature Zach Bryan’s song “Condemned,” but his original was recorded in an AirBNB. So the show paid for him to re-cut it with Chris Stapleton’s producer Dave Cobb in Nashville. It happened in November 2019 and produced a two-song EP called Studio A Recordings. The next year he’d appear on Yellowstone, and his career took off soon after.

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‘Yellowstone’ Fact No. 29: John Dutton May Not Be Getting Rich But Kevin Costner Is

In July 2022, Variety reported that Costner was set to earn $1.3 million per episode of Yellowstone, up from $500,000 an ep. in Season 1. That includes some production credits and other responsibilities.

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‘Yellowstone’ Fact No. 28: How Much Does Rip Make?

Season 5 salaries for the rest of the cast of Yellowstone are not known, but Cinema Blend estimated that Kelly Reilly (Beth), Cole Hauser (Rip), Luke Grimes (Kayce), Wes Bentley (Jamie) and Kelsey Asbille (Monica) made about $200,000 per episode in Season 1.

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‘Yellowstone’ Fact No. 27: Speaking of Rip …

Taylor Sheridan only had eyes for Cole Hauser as Rip Wheeler. The Dazed and Confused actor and (bonus fact) heir to Warner Brothers didn’t even have to audition for Yellowstone.

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‘Yellowstone’ Fact No. 26: A Connection With ‘Lost’

During Season 4, Rip (Cole Hauser) kills Roarke by throwing a rattlesnake at him. It was cool at the time, if a bit unrealistic as time has passed.

That was the first time Taylor Sheridan tapped an actor from the hit ABC show Lost for Yellowstone. He’ll do it again for the sequel, The Madison. The new series is set to star Matthew Fox, who played Jack on the 2000s TV show.

Frazer Harrison, Getty Images

‘Yellowstone’ Fact No. 25: Kelly Reilly’s Audition

The woman who would come to play Beth Dutton did send an audition tape, but when Taylor Sheridan saw it, he knew she was Beth. He says that’s his favorite character to write.

Frazer Harrison, Getty Images

‘Yellowstone’ Fact No. 24: Will All the Real Cowboys Please Stand Up?

Not you, Jimmy. Actor Jefferson White’s inability on a horse is well-documented — although we hear he’s getting better — but other actors that stay in the Yellowstone bunkhouse are veterans of the rodeo. Actor Forrie J. Smith (Lloyd), Jake Ream (Jake), Ethan Lee (Ethan) and Ryan Bingham (Walker) are four with serious horse cred. In fact, they help teach the rest of the cast how to ride and handle horses. Writer Taylor Sheridan is also very capable. In fact …

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‘Yellowstone’ Fact No. 23: Those Aren’t Just Any Horses

Sheridan supplies many of the horses used on Yellowstone from his own ranch. Others that are noted as famous in Yellowstone are actual champion horses. Metallic Cat has a stud fee of $10,000.

Chris Elise, Getty Images

‘Yellowstone’ Fact No. 22: Lloyd’s Bunk

Many of the actors on the show lend their expertise to the set and script. Forrie J. Smith provided helpful insight when it came to designing the famous Yellowstone bunkhouse. He’d actually lived in similar settings, so he knew. Many of the personal items in Lloyd’s bunk came from Smith’s career and collection.

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‘Yellowstone’ Fact No. 21: Does Sarah Atwood Look Familiar?

Actor Dawn Olivieri plays Sarah Atwood on Yellowstone, and as Season 5 begins, she’s part of a plot to kill a Dutton.

The irony is, she was a Dutton in a past life. During the first two episodes of 1883, she played Claire Dutton, sister-in-law to James Dutton (Tim McGraw). Things don’t go well for her there.

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‘Yellowstone’ Fact No. 20: The Truth About Branding

Jefferson White told Taste of Country how the show’s branding scenes work. “Part of what was important to accomplishing that effect was smoke, sort or rising off the brand. The only way we figured out how to accomplish that was for Cole Hauser … to use an actually super-heated brand,” he says.

White held a piece of wood covered in leather against his chest as Hauser (Rip Wheeler) branded the leather. It was all two inches from his chest. “I will never forget the smell, which was very sort of potent and authentic,” the actor adds. “And I’ll never forget the heat that rose off of the brand at that moment.”

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‘Yellowstone’ Fact No. 19: ‘Yellowstone’ Is Montana Proud

Seasons 1-3 of Yellowstone were filmed in Utah (mostly) but because of Montana’s more attractive tax incentive programs, the show moved. However …

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‘Yellowstone’ Fact No. 18: Is the Train Station Real?

In early 2022, several people and websites began to claim the road used as the “Train Station” was in Eden, Utah. The location is intentionally vague on the show, with Lloyd only describing it as a land without government. As it turns out, a place like that actually may exist.

Neilson Barnard, Getty Images / Paramount Network

‘Yellowstone’ Fact No. 17: The Truth About Livestock Agent Steve Hendon

Here is a list of characters James Jordan has played in Taylor Sheridan productions:

• Ed in Mayor of Kingstown
• Cookie in 1883
• Livestock Agent Hendon in Yellowstone
• Two Cups in Lioness
• Pete Mickens in Wind River
• Dale in Landman

Most of these roles are significant and his characters aren’t all the same (although most are a bit surely). It’s fun to try to spot Jordan in a Sheridan production. He’s sort of like his “Where’s Waldo?”

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‘Yellowstone’ Fact No. 16: What’s Gator Cooking?

Gator is a real-life chef named Gabriel “Gator” Guilbeau. Fans only see him once or twice a season, but the rest of the time he’s keeping busy as the head of craft services.

Frazer Harrison, Getty Images

‘Yellowstone’ Fact No. 15: A Young Kevin Costner

We made a full list of ways Yellowstone creator Taylor Sheridan uses the same actors and their family again and again. One we didn’t add was Kevin Costner’s connection to Ian Bohen, who plays Ryan. In 1994, Bohen played the boyhood version of Costner’s titular character in Wyatt Earp, and he remembers the veteran actor as very kind.

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‘Yellowstone’ Fact No. 14: Kevin Coster’s Kids

Kevin Costner’s John Dutton has four kids (including the late Lee Dutton and adopted Jamie Dutton), but in real life he has seven children from three relationships. His daughter Lily is a talented singer who’s collaborated with his band, Kevin Costner & Modern West.

Pascal Le Segretain, Getty Images

‘Yellowstone’ Fact No. 13: Malcolm Beck Returns! (Kinda)

The Dutton Rules podcast team believes Malcolm Beck to be the best Yellowstone villain of all time, so it was exciting to see actor Neal McDonough back on another Taylor Sheridan show.

His character on Tulsa King Season 2 is Cal Thresher, and it’s a very similar role. However, the part and his acting aren’t as strong. One could probably blame the writing, but he’s still a sinister SOB.

Tommaso Boddi, Getty Images

‘Yellowstone’ Fact No. 12: Gil Birmingham Plays Guitar

Actor Gil Birmingham (Thomas Rainwater) doesn’t just play a little. He’s a very talented musician, as seen HERE. On the show, he’s not alone. We mentioned Costner’s band, but Ryan Bingham (Walker) also sings and writes songs. Denim Richards (Colby) is a classically trained opera singer.

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‘Yellowstone’ Fact No. 11: Meet Summer Higgins Real-Life Husband

Piper Perabo was a very successful actor before taking the role of Summer Higgins on Yellowstone. Landing the role was surely made easier by being married to Stephen Kay, who has directed many of the most well-known episodes of the show.

That’s him on the far left, next to Perabo, Kelsey Asbille and Luke Grimes.

Matt Winkelmeyer, Getty Images

‘Yellowstone’ Fact No. 10: Rip’s Boston Accent?

Cole Hauser plays Dutton fixer Rip Wheeler. Prior to starring in Yellowstone he appeared in many movies, including Good Will Hunting. In the film, he’s one of Matt Damon’s good friends. It’s a small, but important role.

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‘Yellowstone’ Fact No. 9: Teeter’s Old Man

Teeter first appeared in Season 3, and soon after actor Jennifer Landon revealed she was a little afraid of the animals, at first. She’s not the first person from her family to star on an open range, however. Her father, Michael Landon, was Charles Ingalls on Little House on the Prairie.

Tommaso Boddi, Getty Images

‘Yellowstone’ Fact No. 8: Why Jamie Looks Familiar

You really can’t forget those eyes, and most people who’ve seen the Kevin Spacey film American Beauty don’t. Wes Bentley played the next door neighbor Ricky Fitts, a character who (spoiler alert) indirectly gets the main character killed. It’s a stunning role that shows Bentley’s artistic range.

Tommaso Boddi, Getty Images

‘Yellowstone’ Fact No. 7: The Most Watched TV Show of 2021-22

During the 2021-22 season, Yellowstone was the most-watched non-football TV show with an average of 11.3 million viewers. The 2022-23 season wasn’t too shabby either, with 15.7 million people watching the Season 5 premiere.

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‘Yellowstone’ Fact No. 6: The Real Yellowstone Ranch?

The ranch used for exterior scenes and more is called the Chief Joseph Ranch in Darby, Mont. Guests can actually stay in one of the Dutton cabins (it’s expensive, and there’s a long wait, but you can do it) seen during most episodes of Yellowstone. The show is filmed in Montana and Utah.

Jason Kempin, Getty Images

‘Yellowstone’ Fact No. 5: Why Cody Johnson Said ‘No’

In 2024, Cody Johnson told Audacy radio that he had to say “No” to Taylor Sheridan because he just didn’t have time in his schedule. He was all booked up. But …

“We’re looking ahead to the future,” he shared. “There’s a few movie things where I’m like, ‘Look, if you guys give me the notice, I can make this happen.'”

Frazer Harrison, Getty Images

‘Yellowstone’ Fact No. 4: 50 Shades of Kayce

Luke Grimes plays Kayce Dutton, John’s youngest son. In real life Grimes auditioned for the main role in the Twilight series of films and landed the role as Elliott Grey, Christian Grey’s brother, in the 50 Shades of Grey series.

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‘Yellowstone’ Fact No. 3: Tate’s Kidnapping

Actor Brecken Merrill is the go-to for behind-the-scenes Instagram content. On Instagram he shares and maybe even overshares. Not long ago he revealed that the show filmed him being kidnapped (end of Season 2) but ultimately chose not to air it, figuring there’d be more more suspense.

Frazer Harrison, Getty Images

‘Yellowstone’ Fact No. 2: Beth’s British Accent

This should be a surprise to most who’ve admired how Beth Dutton thrives across a patriarchal society in western Montana. Actor Kelly Reilly is actually from London and speaks with a British accent. Need proof? Go watch the first Sherlock Holmes movie staring Robert Downey Jr. She plays Watson’s wife, Mary.

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‘Yellowstone’ Fact No. 1: The Jeff Bridges Connection

This is Ryan Bingham, who plays tender-hearted Walker on Yellowstone. He’s a known singer/songwriter who provided so much of the great music for the Jeff Bridges movie Crazy Heart (2009). He’s not the only one from the franchise to work alongside Bridges, however. Gil Birmingham starred with Bridges in Hell or High Water (2016) and Sam Elliott — star of the Yellowstone prequel 1883 — sat next to him in The Big Lebowski. This is all to say that rumors of a Bridges appearance on this franchise come through a lot of smoke. It feels close!