Ed Harris is speaking his mind about his role in Dutton Ranch, the spin-off series from Paramount+, and it's not a glowing review. The actor, known for his powerhouse performances in films like The Truman Show and Apollo 13, has expressed disappointment with how he was utilised in the first season – or rather, not utilised at all. Harris, who played local veterinarian Everett McKinney, claimed to have been misled about his character's importance before signing a two-season contract.
The actor revealed that midway through filming the first season, he felt so underwhelmed by his role that he considered calling it quits – but fortunately for fans, he stuck around. In an interview with Variety, Harris recounted a particularly galling incident where his character was meant to sing at a bar in a cut scene that never made the final cut.
It's safe to say that Ed Harris wasn't exactly singing along to the Dutton Ranch tune initially – but he has since had a change of heart. Having watched the completed series, Harris admitted it was "pretty good" and acknowledged that his character ultimately played a relatively important role in the story. And if that's not enough, the actor has been told that his character will have more screen time in season two.
The show itself has proven to be a box office smash for Paramount+, attracting 12.9 million global viewers in its inaugural week and securing an early renewal for a second season. For UK audiences, Dutton Ranch is available on Paramount+ – but you'll need Sky or Amazon Prime Video Channels to get access.
The series follows the next chapter in the lives of Rip Wheeler (Cole Hauser) and Beth Dutton (Kelly O'Reilly), as they embark on a new life at their Texas ranch. With its dedicated fanbase in the UK and beyond, it's clear that Western dramas like Dutton Ranch continue to captivate audiences – but will the show earn any BAFTA or Brit Awards nods? Only time will tell.