Kelly Reilly reveals when Dutton Ranch season 2 starts filming

So, some actual news on Dutton Ranch for a change. Anyone hoping for a quick return to the wild west will have to keep waiting — but at least we know when production’s rolling again, thanks to Kelly Reilly dropping details at the Paramount UK Upfronts. There’s a small matter of a new showrunner, a swap behind the scenes, and viewing numbers that are already raising plenty of eyebrows in TV-land. Let’s get into what’s actually happening with Season 2.

The first week of Dutton Ranch pulled in 12.9 million viewers across the globe.

Behind the scenes drama (again)

Right, let’s start with what’s different this time around. Chad Feehan, who ran the show for season one (and wrangled both scripts and egos), has quietly exited after some reported clashes with the cast and crew. Not the most original Hollywood story. Benjamin Cavell is stepping up as the new showrunner. If you recognise his name, he’s the chap who steered Justified and SEAL Team for a bit — so, not new to action or dust-ups, onscreen or off. Taylor Sheridan still lords it over as executive producer, so the tone probably won’t change too much. But a new boss upstairs always means a few new approaches.

What Reilly revealed

Now onto the actual update: Kelly Reilly said cameras start rolling on season two in early 2027. Which does mean there’s plenty of time to rewatch, speculate or just drift off onto another show in the meantime. Paramount+ are hyping Dutton Ranch as their ‘biggest original series debut ever’, which — with nearly 13 million viewers first week out — they’re not just spinning numbers.

Kelly Reilly summed it up at the event: "The response across the world, well, I am surprised and grateful."

As for what’s coming in the new episodes: the story doesn’t skip ahead. We pick up right after the finale, with Beth (Reilly) and Rip Wheeler (Cole Hauser) having to rescue their adopted son, Carter, who’s landed neck-deep in cartel business. There’s also fallout from the last exchange between Beulah (Annette Bening) and Everett McKinney (Ed Harris) – in other words, expect plenty of murk to rise up around her family’s drug trade. Returning cast includes Finn Little, Juan Pablo Raba, Jai Courtney, J.R. Villarreal, Marc Menchaca, Natalie Alyn Lind, with Bening and Harris getting a lot more plot to gnaw on. No release date yet – Paramount’s still holding those cards close.

• Showrunner switch: Chad Feehan out, Benjamin Cavell in.
• Filming for Season 2: starts early 2027.
• First week viewers: 12.9 million worldwide.
• Season picks up: immediately after season one’s cartel cliffhanger.
• Main cast: Kelly Reilly, Cole Hauser, Annette Bening, Ed Harris, Finn Little, Juan Pablo Raba, Jai Courtney, J.R. Villarreal, Marc Menchaca, Natalie Alyn Lind.
• Release date: still TBA from Paramount.