Dutton Ranch Taps New Showrunner for Season 2 Following Chad Feehan's Departure

A significant leadership shift is underway at the Paramount+ hit Dutton Ranch.

Benjamin Cavell has been selected as the new showrunner and executive producer for season 2 of the Yellowstone spinoff, taking the reins from Chad Feehan, who departed the series prior to its May launch. According to Entertainment Weekly, Cavell brings considerable experience in high-stakes drama to the role.

The accomplished television veteran has previously created SEAL Team and served as a writer and producer on the acclaimed series Justified. His résumé also includes writing credits on Homeland and Sneaky Pete.

The casting decision arrives on the heels of Dutton Ranch's impressive performance for the streamer. The series achieved a historic milestone for Paramount+, drawing 12.9 million global viewers during its opening week—the largest debut numbers for any original series on the platform. The strong viewership prompted the network to greenlight a second season almost immediately.

Starring Kelly Reilly and Cole Hauser as Beth and Rip Dutton, the drama follows the couple as they relocate from Montana to South Texas, where they encounter formidable obstacles and a neighboring ranch intent on defending its commercial interests.

Feehan, who remains attached to season 1 as creator and executive producer, has not issued any public statement regarding his departure.

Cole Hauser weighed in on the transition during an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, noting that leadership changes are commonplace in the industry. "Showrunners change all the time. This business is about adapting. We've been doing this for a long time. Things change. People move on," he said.

Kelly Reilly also reflected on wrapping the inaugural season with Feehan, describing the experience as both challenging and rewarding. "We finished [season one] with Chad beautifully. We finished this season together. It was a really difficult but really satisfying show to make. And so was Yellowstone. So is anything worth making," she explained.

Reilly further emphasized the collaborative spirit on set, saying, "We're all creative minds and we all work together and I'm so proud of that."

The season 1 finale airs on Paramount+ on Friday, July 3.