Thriving on richly drawn characters whose personal histories, moral struggles, and unfinished arcs often feel big enough to anchor stories of their own. With multiple spinoffs already expanding the franchise, it is worth asking which characters from the flagship series truly deserve their own standalone series.

So here are some Yellowstone characters whose depth, popularity, and narrative potential justify their own spinoffs.

6. Thomas Rainwater (Gil Birmingham)

Thomas Rainwater remains one of Yellowstone’s most complex yet morally grounded characters. He serves as the Chairman of the Broken Rock Indian Reservation, and operates at the intersection of politics, heritage, and survival.

A spinoff can center on the Broken Rock Reservation dynamics, and explore its activism, cultural preservation, politics, and the post-Dutton era conflicts. Moreover, such a spinoff centered on him could explore Indigenous leadership in modern America.

5. Carter (Finn Little)

Carter’s journey from a neglected, troubled kid to someone trying to find stability at the Yellowstone ranch is one of the show’s quieter emotional threads. His story is a classic example of redemption and the next generation.

A spinoff following Carter could examine what it truly means to “grow up Dutton-adjacent” without actually being a Dutton. His story also represents generational trauma and the search for belonging, allowing the franchise to focus on legacy with Carter serving as a bridge.

4. Lloyd Pierce (Forrie J. Smith)

Lloyd Pierce is the soul of the bunkhouse, a cowboy whose entire life has been spent riding for the Yellowstone brand. Wise and a longtime bunkhouse veteran, he embodies the old-school cowboy values. A spinoff featuring him could focus on his younger years.

It can chronicle the fading era of traditional cowboys and the sacrifices made to preserve a way of life. It would also offer a rare look at aging, loyalty, and masculinity in the modern West. Forrie J. Smith’s authenticity makes Lloyd feel less like a character and more like a living piece of Western history.

3. Kayce Dutton (Luke Grimes)

Kayce Dutton, the son of John Dutton, is the conflicted war veteran turned rancher, torn between family legacy and personal visions. His Navy SEAL background and spiritual journey offer rich material for a procedural-style spinoff.

From his struggle between violence and peace, family and identity, to his time in the SEALs, his backstory makes him an ideal candidate for a spinoff. Such a show can explore his military past as well as his internal battle with the Dutton legacy, serving as a more introspective and morally complex series than Yellowstone.

2. Rip Wheeler (Cole Hauser)

Rip Wheeler is the ultimate law enforcer. He is tough, honorable to the core, yet deeply scarred. An icon in the true sense and a fan favorite, his backstory has only been partially explored and revealed in the flagship series.

A Rip spinoff could explore his abusive childhood, how he was taken in by John Dutton, and his transformation into the ranch’s most feared enforcer. Beyond violence, Rip’s love for Beth adds emotional weight. A darker, grittier spinoff would allow the franchise to fully explore how the Yellowstone brand shapes and destroys those who dare to wear it.

1. Beth Dutton (Kelly Reilly)

A spinoff could explore her high-stakes corporate battles, personal vulnerabilities, and life beyond the ranch. At the same time, it could explore her upbringing or her past trauma in greater depth. Kelly Reilly’s performance has proven Beth can carry a narrative alone, and a spinoff could focus on female power, self-destruction, and survival in male-dominated spaces.

Whether through political drama, personal redemption, or brutal realism, each of these characters offers a unique lens through which the modern American West can be explored. Which character do you think deserves their spinoff the most? Let us know in the comments below.