NEW YORK – Let’s explore the key issue resonating in the “Yellowstone” series.

Cole Hauser and Kelly Reilly, known as Rip and Beth, are not revealing (as they claim) whether they will continue with the neo-Western series—be it a new, unannounced season or a spin-off—beyond what has been promoted as the final episodes of TV’s top-rated show.

Nonetheless, Californian Hauser, 49, and London native Reilly, 47, who portray America’s beloved intense couple, are prepared to take on the show’s emotional burden following Kevin Costner’s exit as John Dutton, the owner of the Yellowstone ranch and the show’s patriarch. They’re excited to display their work as the eagerly anticipated second part of Season 5 launches this Sunday on Paramount Network (8 EST/PST), with expectations for more ahead.

“There’s a sense of responsibility, yes, and it’s a heavier load,” Hauser tells YSL News in a joint interview with Reilly. “I’m enjoying it.”

“Now, there’s a different storyline to explore,” Reilly adds. “It’s about who remains and how they’ll manage, and what actions they’ll take—an exciting and fresh tension.”

This new dynamic is a refreshing change from the earlier focus on Costner’s portrayal of Dutton, who has been a pivotal character in the growing “Yellowstone” franchise since it debuted in 2018. After a protracted disagreement with creator Taylor Sheridan regarding control, salary, and filming schedules, Costner officially announced in June that he wouldn’t return. This news broke after filming had already started in Montana, the setting for Dutton’s reign as the TV governor.

Even though Dutton will remain a significant figure and will be featured in flashbacks through previously filmed material, Rip and his outspoken daughter Beth are set to take center stage.

“John Dutton continues to be at the heart of the show,” says Reilly. “His influence is everything we discuss—especially for Beth, who has two key men in her life, Rip and her father. From the very start, she has always been her father’s devoted ally, confronting all opposition on his behalf.”

The threats facing the Dutton family are anticipated to escalate as the series progresses. The trailer reveals Beth in a confrontation with lawyer Sarah Atwood (Dawn Olivieri), who has allied with John’s scheming son Jamie (Wes Bentley), now serving as the state attorney general. Sarah and Jamie are determined to dismantle his father’s empire, with Jamie initiating impeachment proceedings and darkly contemplating hiring professionals to eliminate his father.

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What does Rip stand for? Beth won’t curse for Cameo

As individuals, Rip and Beth each have large fan bases. “They aren’t without faults; that’s what draws people to them, their profound imperfections,” states Hauser, who clarifies that Rip is indeed his character’s actual name despite fan speculations. “It doesn’t stand for Rest In Peace or anything like that.”

However, the stoic fixer of Yellowstone Ranch is prepared to deal decisively with Dutton’s enemies, including using the “train station” ranch burial ground. Beth, known for her sharp tongue and battle scars, garners admiration for her quick-witted and harsh remarks, exemplified by her line: “You’re the trailer park; I’m the tornado.”

Fans cherish Beth’s cutting comments so much that they are found on T-shirts, mugs, and cocktail glasses. One devoted follower even offered “a substantial sum” for Reilly to deliver a foul-mouthed message to a friend for a 50th birthday gift via Cameo. “I considered doing it for charity but ultimately decided against it. I wanted to avoid any mixed signals. Nobody wants a ‘Happy Birthday’ from Beth. They’re looking for a ‘You know what.'”

Why are Rip and Beth such a captivating couple?

Individually, they are strong, but as a pair, Rip and Beth embody a ranching version of “Wuthering Heights”‘s Catherine and Heathcliff, showcasing an intense devotion to one another.

Towards the end of Season 4, Beth proposed to Rip, and they exchanged vows outdoors at the ranch with only John as their witness. Their initial date included sharing whiskey from a bottle in Rip’s vehicle and observing wolves feast on an elk. In that memorable sequence, an enthusiastic Beth charges toward the wolves, her bottle in hand, and these were indeed real wolves.

“They were trained, but still wolves,” Reilly recounts. “I asked the trainer, ‘I’m really going to run at them screaming like a banshee. How do you know they won’t come back at me?’ She replied, ‘Well, I don’t know.’ I thought, ‘Great.’”

“I was there for you, with my little buck knife,” Hauser adds.

While the wolves, much like most of Beth’s adversaries, fled, some foes aren’t so fortunate. For instance, Atwood is widely viewed as responsible for the seemingly inevitable demise of John Dutton.

“A woman can only take so much. He is at the core of her being,” Reilly acknowledges, reflecting on Beth’s response to her father’s grim situation. “What is this going to do to her? She’s going to turn into a force of nature.”

The future of John Dutton, especially regarding his fate, remains one of the many mysteries of “Yellowstone.” Reilly, along with her fellow actors, was given redacted scripts to maintain secrecy. In contrast, Hauser, whose role now involves ranch management and life in the bunkhouse, asserts that he received complete scripts without any parts blacked out. “I got all six scripts, no redaction,” he claims. “I’m not into that.”

Reilly mentions that she has known the intended conclusion of “Yellowstone” since its inception. The unexpected exit of Costner hasn’t fundamentally altered that trajectory. “It wasn’t meant to happen so soon,” she points out. “But it’s fulfilling for us to return to the show’s true vision.”

Once the finale is aired on December 15, the two will have clarity on whether they’ll go forward with a new season or project.

“We genuinely don’t know,” Hauser admits, chuckling at the uncertainty. “There’s nothing confirmed or set at this moment,” Reilly concurs. “We want everyone to regard these final six episodes as their conclusion. If something new arises and Taylor crafts a compelling story for us, we’ve both said, ‘We’ll be there.’”