How ‘Yellowstone’ spinoff  ‘Dutton Ranch’ addresses John Dutton’s death

John Dutton lives on. 

Kevin Costner’s iconic “Yellowstone” character was killed off on the original show, but he still gets several shout-outs on the new spinoff — “Dutton Ranch.” 

In the first two episodes, which are now streaming, John’s daughter Beth (Kelly Reilly) and her husband, Rip (Cole Hauser), set up shop in Texas, where they discuss John’s memory. 

“I miss him,” Beth tells Rip. 

Her cowboy husband replies, “Well, we brought the best parts of your father with us.”

Rip and Beth were top dogs in Montana on “Yellowstone.” 

Now, they struggle with feeling like strangers in their new Texas community.

“All those nights I’d find [John] just staring into the fire. The weight of his promises and everything just so f—ing heavy and… he never got to be happy …” Beth says on “Dutton Ranch.”

“And for what?”

Beth and Rip aren’t the only ones who talk about John on “Dutton Ranch.” 

As the couple purchases their Texas ranch from its previous owner, Jeanie Edwards (Harriet Sansom Harris), she says, “I didn’t know your daddy, except by reputation… and what I later read in the papers.”

Beth and Rip’s hostile new neighbor, Beulah Jackson (Annette Bening), is also shown looking John up online and reading articles about his death. 

Created by Taylor Sheridan, “Yellowstone” aired from 2018 to 2024. The hit western followed powerful Montana rancher / politician John, and his family, including Beth, Rip, Kayce (Luke Grimes) and Jamie (Wes Bentley). 

In the final season of “Yellowstone,” amid rumors of a behind the scenes feud between Costner and Sheridan, John was axed. 

The Dutton family patriarch was killed by a hitman – and Jamie was indirectly responsible. 

In retaliation, Beth killed Jamie at the end of “Yellowstone” and Rip helped her. 

She explained that the tough-talking cowgirl and her husband are in a “more mature era” at the moment.

“You really see these two people who have fought so hard to try to finally have peace. And no matter how badly they want it, war keeps coming to their doorstep.”

“Dutton Ranch” is now streaming on Paramount+, and also premieres May 15 at 8 p.m. on Paramount Network.