Cole Hauser would like to continue to portray his beloved character, Rip Wheeler, even after his series, Yellowstone, comes to an end this December after five seasons.

While reflecting on the possibility of a spinoff and the continuation of the Dutton story, the actor, 49, admitted that he felt it would be a ‘shame to stop a great thing.’

‘I believe the numbers speak for themselves and America has spoken,’ he told People, nodding to the immense popularity of Taylor Sheridan’s modern-western series, which garnered an astonishing 15.7 million viewers last season.

He continued: ‘Taylor [Sheridan’s] and my interest was to bring back an American man who is unapologetic, honest, loyal with strong values. I believe we have accomplished that together.’ 

Hauser has portrayed Wheeler, the husband of Beth Dutton (Kelly Reilly), since the series first premiered in 2018. 

Cole Hauser would like to continue to portray his beloved character, Rip Wheeler, even after his series, Yellowstone, comes to an end this December after five seasons; seen earlier this month

Read More Yellowstone fans furious over shock way Kevin Costner’s John Dutton was killed off

In August, reports surfaced that Hauser and Reilly were in ‘negotiations’ for a sixth season.

Although sources emphasized to ᴅᴇᴀᴅline that the deal was still up in the air, the upcoming episodes would focus on the on-screen couple’s beloved characters following Kevin Costner‘s dramatic exit from the neo-Western drama. 

The pair had previously been rumored to be joining the Yellowstone spinoff The Madison, starring Michelle Pfeiffer. 

In April, when asked about the possibility of a sixth season, Reilly told RadioTimes: ‘I just care about finishing [Yellowstone] with as much care and as much pᴀssion and as much love as I can muster to put into it… I’m sort of prepping for that now, [and] that’s my tunnel-vision thing that I care about most.’

‘And what goes on beyond that? There are discussions, you know. Don’t believe everything you read. It’s just nonsense,’ she continued.

5B, which returned on November 10, was originally announced as Yellowstone‘s last installment. 

In June, Costner, who played the show’s patriarch John Dutton, confirmed that he was done with Yellowstone for good. 

The 69-year-old actor told his Instagram followers that he would not returning for an appearance for season 5B. 

While reflecting on the possibility of a spinoff and continuation of the Dutton story, the 49-year-old actor admitted that he felt it would be a ‘shame to stop a great thing’

Hauser has portrayed Wheeler, the husband of Beth Dutton (Kelly Reilly), since the series first premiered in 2018

In August, reports surfaced that Hauser and Reilly were in ‘negotiations’ for a sixth season

‘Hi everyone. I just want to reach out and let you know that after this long year and a half of working on Horizon and doing all the things that’s required, and thinking about Yellowstone — that beloved series that I love, that I know you love — I just realized that I’m not going to be able to continue Season 5b or into the future,’ Costner announced somberly while gazing into the camera.

Previous reports indicated that Costner was likely done for good with the series after conflicts between himself and producers over pay, his schedule and his availability to film his multi-part Western epic Horizon: An American Saga.

But fans held out hope that he might at least return to find a dignified ending for his patriarch John Dutton III, but his new video has seemingly dashed those hopes for good. 

‘It was something that really changed me,’ Costner said of the Paramount Network series.

‘I loved it, and I know you loved it,’ he reiterated. ‘I just wanted to let you know that I won’t be returning.’

5B, which returned on November 10, was originally announced as Yellowstone‘s last installment (seen with their costars Luke Grimes, Wes Bentley and Kelsey Asbille; seen earlier this month

The actor and director concluded with what may have been an entreaty for his fans to see his upcoming Horizon films.

‘I love the relationship we’ve been able to develop, and I’ll see you at the movies,’ he said as a slight smile crossed his lips.

The announcement means that Costner’s final run of episodes were for season 5A, which aired from November of 2022 to January of 2023.

His character, the patriarch of the Dutton family, ran the Yellowstone Dutton Ranch, a fictional ranch that was the largest in Montana.

In June, Costner, who played the show’s patriarch John Dutton, confirmed that he was done with Yellowstone for good (seen at Bavaria Studios on November 7, 2024)

It bordered Yellowstone National Park and the Broken Rock Indian Reservation, which often put the wealthy family at odds with their Native American neighbors and greedy developers looking to snatch up their land.

The primetime soap has been particularly popular among fans who applauded its so-called anti-woke politics, though the series is often critical of its main family, who have murdered multiple people to secure their land and fortune.