Actor Cole Hauser and executive producer Taylor Sheridan have nearly come to blows on the North Texas set of the upcoming Yellowstone sequel Dutton Ranch as tensions between the two stars boil over.
The rift between Hauser, who stars as fan-favorite ranch foreman Rip Wheeler, and franchise co-creator Sheridan marks an alarming echo of a fistfight the pair engaged in the second time they ever met. Sources revealed that bad blood has continued to simmer between the two Hollywood figures as production on the breakout show gets underway.
Dutton Ranch has drawn eager viewers with the promise of grit, glamor, and intense drama, continuing the saga of the Dutton family ranching empire. However, behind the scenes, relations between its leading man and its executive producer have deteriorated into what insiders describe as a classic clash of personalities.
"Cole has had beef with Taylor for a while," a source revealed, explaining the fundamental friction between the California-born actor and the Texas showrunner. "Taylor can be a harsh Texas guy. He is super straightforward and thinks fast, so he can come off as brutal, but he is just on top of his game, and he is brilliant. Cole is more casual, more surfer dude."
Clashing personalities and past physical fights
The history of physical confrontations between Hauser and Sheridan dates back to before they collaborated on the hit Paramount Network drama Yellowstone. Hauser previously told Men's Journal in 2022 that he and Sheridan got into a fistfight the second time they met, though they eventually patched things up and became friends.
However, sources report that another physical altercation nearly took place more recently while working on the franchise. "When they were filming Yellowstone, they almost got into a fist fight," a source said. "They butted heads big time because they are so different. But then they were OK in the end, the dust-up was short-lived."
The persistent friction stems largely from their contrasting backgrounds and personal styles. Hauser hails from Santa Barbara, California, while Sheridan is a straightforward working cowboy from Texas.
"Cole is a super nice dude from Santa Barbara and Taylor is a very harsh but brilliant cowboy from Texas," the source noted. "It's classic California versus Texas. Cole is more like a relaxed dude, and Taylor is more like 'do your work and be grateful.' It's oil and water."
Trademark lawsuit over competing coffee brands
Personal differences are not the only source of hostility between the two men. In late 2023, Sheridan launched a legal battle against Hauser over a trademark dispute involving their competing cowboy-themed coffee companies.
Sheridan had launched Bosque Ranch coffee, while Hauser subsequently debuted his own brand, Free Rein. Sheridan's lawsuit alleged trademark infringement, unfair competition, and false advertising, claiming Hauser's brand identity was overly similar to Bosque Ranch's logo.
Although the lawsuit was settled privately in 2024, the legal clash left lingering awkwardness and resentment that bled into their television work.
Frustration over set absence and Texas heat
Tensions flared publicly when Hauser voiced frustration over Sheridan's absence from the set during production of season one of Dutton Ranch. In a July interview with Page Six, Hauser spoke candidly about the difficulties of filming without the executive producer present.
"It certainly was a challenge. It was about putting my head down and working my a** off with what I had around me," Hauser told Page Six.
Hauser's public comments were reportedly received poorly by Sheridan and production executives. "Whether Cole knew it or not, he was sounding an alarm that told the world that there were problems on Dutton Ranch, and that was not appreciated," an insider said.
Following the first season, Sheridan took steps to restructure leadership on the show. He replaced original creator and showrunner Chad Feehan with Benjamin Cavell, known for his work on SEAL Team. Sheridan took a hands-off approach during season one, but he is expected to participate directly in the writers' room for season two.
Hauser also raised concerns about the environmental challenges of filming in North Texas. Production took place primarily around Weatherford and Ferris, where intense summer heat posed severe physical demands on the cast and crew.
Hauser told People in June that maintaining Rip Wheeler's muscular frame in the scorching conditions was nearly impossible. "I was trying to keep weight on," Hauser said. "I mean, I usually put on about 25 pounds, but it was hard to keep it on. I was sweating it out."
Insiders confirmed that the North Texas filming locations caused widespread physical distress. Temperatures regularly surpassed 100 degrees during summer shoots, leading to severe heat-related illnesses among the crew.
"It gets very hot, like over 100 degrees in the summer," the insider stated. "People have gotten heatstroke and feel sick often, even needing breaks and ice packs. The location is also full of rattlesnakes which is extremely dangerous."
Hollywood friction and cast dynamics
Industry insiders suggest that Sheridan's demanding managerial style may stem from his own early struggles as an actor in Hollywood before transitioning into writing and directing. Before achieving massive success as a creator, Sheridan struggled to establish an acting career, a period described as highly stressful.
"Taylor might sometimes be hard on actors because when he first came to Hollywood he tried to act and didn't get very far. That was stressful for him, it was a big bummer," a second Hollywood source stated. "That is why Taylor turned to writing and directing. But he still acts as he pops up on his own shows like Yellowstone and Lioness."
In contrast, sources highlighted Hauser's natural charisma and screen presence, speculating that Sheridan might harbor professional envy toward his lead actor. Hauser's portrayal of Rip Wheeler has turned him into one of television's most iconic characters, earning praise across the industry.
"Cole on the other hand, he is a natural. His looks, his timing - he has an ease with the camera. And he plays a hero very well," the second source observed. "I wouldn't doubt it if Taylor was jealous of Cole. Heck, even Cole's best friend Ben Affleck is jealous of him these days! Cole's Rip Wheeler is the coolest dude on TV."
Due to Sheridan's intense work environment, few actors maintain close personal relationships with him. "No actor really gets along with Taylor that well except for Billy Bob Thornton, but they put up with him because his shows are so good," the source added.
Sheridan reportedly allows Thornton to ad-lib lines on set because of their close personal friendship and Thornton's acting pedigree, but strictly forbids other cast members from altering scripts or displaying diva behavior. "Taylor does not like putting up with actor c**p. He wants actors to stay in line. No diva s***, no changes to the script," the source said.
Financial dependence and writing dominance
Despite their disagreements, Hauser remains aware of Sheridan's crucial role in his career trajectory. Before landing the role of Rip Wheeler in Yellowstone, Hauser had struggled to command major paychecks in Hollywood, appearing in small roles such as 1997's Good Will Hunting, 2004's Paparazzi, and 2013's Assassins Run.
"Cole has a lot of respect for Taylor, so he shuts up. He is extremely grateful that Taylor made him a star with Yellowstone and he now has a job with Dutton Ranch. He knows he owes Taylor a lot," a Hollywood source explained. "Cole always struggled before Yellowstone, he never had a big paycheck until Yellowstone came along."
Insiders note that Hauser quickly backs down whenever conflict escalates because Sheridan holds complete authority over the franchise's cast. "Cole knows better than to pipe up. He says sorry real fast. Taylor is the boss and he could get rid of Cole anytime. So Cole doesn't say c**p anymore," the first source noted.
Sheridan has previously demonstrated his willingness to remove top-tier talent from his projects. Most notably, he wrote off Oscar-winner Kevin Costner by killing off patriarch John Dutton in Yellowstone after Costner repeatedly questioned Sheridan's scripts and departed to film his movie Horizon.
"That was a big problem with Kevin Costner on Yellowstone because Kevin was always questioning Taylor's writing. Kevin also went off and made his Horizon movie. It was a mess, as everyone knows," the first source said. "But you can't really argue with Taylor because his writing is gold. He is the best writer on all his shows, and everyone knows it. Taylor is very tough, but his writing is dynamite."
Future plans for Dutton Ranch season two
Despite the behind-the-scenes turmoil, work on the second season of Dutton Ranch is progressing. A Hollywood source told the Daily Mail that season two is currently in the writing phase, with principal photography scheduled to begin early next year.
"It is in the writing process right now and shooting won't take place until early next year, so it's very early on," the source revealed.
The storyline for the upcoming season is expected to focus on heavy action as Beth Dutton, played by Kelly Reilly, and Rip Wheeler attempt to rescue their son Carter from a cartel. The new season will also shine a spotlight on Oreana's pregnancy.
"There will be a lot of action. There will also be a spotlight on Oreana's pregnancy," the insider added.
Representatives for both Taylor Sheridan and Cole Hauser were contacted by the Daily Mail for comment on the ongoing tension.
