Top 10 standout characters in Yellowstone

Yellowstone is a show that manages to make you love even the most morally questionable characters. Whether it's the Dutton family or their adversaries, the series has created some unforgettable characters. Since it first aired in 2018, Yellowstone has become a huge hit, captivating audiences across America. The credit for much of this success goes to the rich and captivating characters crafted by Taylor Sheridan.

Yellowstone offers much more than just rodeos and ranch work, with a fictionalized Montana filled with proud Native Americans, ruthless businessmen, and environmental activists.

Here are the top 10 characters from Yellowstone, rated based on their undeniable charm, ability to cause drama, or just being an absolute badass. So, let's get ranking.

10. Summer Higgins

Paramount

Summer Higgins may not have been the most popular character, but her impact on the show since her Season 4 debut is undeniable. Her environmental activism initially clashed with John Dutton's beliefs, but she ultimately falls for the Yellowstone patriarch.

The relationship itself is unremarkable, but it provides comedic entertainment as Beth Dutton becomes infuriated. Beth even attempts to have Summer incarcerated, but she continues her relationship with John. Ultimately, Beth and Summer find common ground through a physical altercation, which is featured in a 10-minute scene by Taylor Sheridan.

9. Jimmy Hurdstrom

Paramount

Jimmy undergoes significant character growth throughout Yellowstone, transitioning from a simple criminal to a respected cowboy. His dedication to self-improvement earns him the admiration of his fellow ranch hands and even John Dutton himself. Although imperfect and prone to making mistakes, such as returning to the rodeo after an injury, it is these struggles that contribute to his gradual development on the show.

In the upcoming Yellowstone 6666 spinoff, Jimmy will play a central role, providing further insight into his time at the Texan ranch. While there, he fully embraces the cowboy lifestyle, mastering the lasso and charming the ladies. Adding to the drama, Jimmy returns to the Yellowstone ranch with his new wife, unaware that his ex-girlfriend is waiting for him. This sets the stage for a tense confrontation.

8. Mo

Paramount

In a world of selfish, nasty, and violent men, it's a breath of fresh air to know that there's at least one genuinely nice guy out there. Mo serves as the right-hand man to Thomas Rainwater, the chief of the Broken Rock Reservation, and he's demonstrated that he can handle himself when necessary, but always with restraint.

Don't mistake him for a ruthless bodyguard—Mo is actually one of the wisest and most composed characters in Yellowstone. It's clear why Rainwater trusts him with his life. Mo is the kind of person you'd want as a friend, and absolutely dread crossing.

7. Travis Wheatley

Paramount

The one thing you can always count on is Taylor Sheridan casting himself as the coolest character in his TV shows, starting as early as Season 1 of Yellowstone when he appeared as Travis Wheatley, a no-nonsense rodeo king from Texas and good friend of John Dutton. If you're a fan of foul-mouthed bravado, you'll love Travis. Though he may not be the nicest cowboy around, he's damn good at what he does and eventually softens up slightly after taking Jimmy under his wing.

6. Dan Jenkins

Paramount

Yellowstone has struggled to create a compelling antagonist for quite some time, with Dan Jenkins from Season 1 being arguably the show's peak in that respect. He was just the right combination of slimy, deceitful, and sniveling; the type of person who makes your skin crawl, but in such a pitiful way that you almost feel sorry for him.

To be fair, Jenkins simply wanted to develop a nice golf course and hotel, but he learned the hard way that people in Montana are resistant to change. Over his two seasons on the show, Jenkins was hanged from a tree, punched numerous times, and ultimately met his demise with a bullet to the head, so at least his time in Yellowstone was eventful.

5. Kayce Dutton

Paramount

It speaks volumes about the Dutton family that Kayce, a man with a high kill count, possesses the strongest moral compass among them. While he is not afraid to get his hands dirty, Kayce is driven by a deep desire to protect his loved ones, and there is something truly admirable about that.

The challenge lies in Kayce's constant struggle to balance his loyalty to his father with his commitment to his wife and son. When focused on the ranch's interests, Kayce becomes a ruthless killer, essentially functioning as a gun-for-hire. However, when prioritizing Monica and Tate, Kayce reveals a more compassionate side, making him incredibly endearing.

4. Lloyd Pierce

Paramount

Forrie J. Smith, the actor who portrays Lloyd, brings a convincing ranch hand to life because he is a real-life cowboy. With his experience and authenticity, Smith infuses a wonderful spirit into the role, demonstrating that despite Lloyd's gruff exterior, he possesses a heart of gold.

Loyal to the core, Lloyd's relationship with Rip exemplifies his unwavering dedication to the ranch. As a fatherly figure to Rip, Lloyd remains steadfast through all challenges. In Season 4, Lloyd showcases his growth by reconciling with Walker and gifting him a new guitar, demonstrating his ability to set aside pride and anger to evolve and learn from his missteps.

3. Beth Dutton

Netflix

Yellowstone may be dominated by men, but even the toughest and most intelligent men in Montana are no match for Beth Dutton. She embodies the ultimate badass and an unyielding force, all while effortlessly avoiding the "powerful woman" stereotype, a testament to Kelly Reilly's performance. Despite her larger-than-life presence, Reilly infuses Beth with charisma, passion, and ferocity that makes her undeniably realistic.

Beth has likened herself to a tornado and a cockroach, and she's not wrong. She has the power to obliterate anything in her path and, having survived numerous deadly situations, it's safe to say she may be immortal too.

2. John Dutton

Paramount

Kevin Costner is the true star of the Yellowstone cast, anchoring the show for five seasons. However, there are doubts about his involvement in the final episodes due to disputes with Sheridan, which would be a loss for the series.

John Dutton may seem simple at first glance, but his dry humor and strong-willed nature make him a compelling character. Despite his straightforwardness, he occasionally delivers profound wisdom that can leave a lasting impact.

1. Rip Wheeler

Paramount

He began as a man filled with hate and bitterness, but by Season 5, Rip Wheeler has transformed into a caring husband, a fair but loving father figure, and a practical leader on the ranch. Much of this change is credited to the influence of Beth, but Rip truly evolves into a character who learns to appreciate the important things in life and knows when to stand firm and when to let go.

Rip's life started with no hope as an orphan, but finding a place at the Dutton Ranch gave him purpose and, most importantly, a family. We all love a good underdog story, and Rip's journey to success in Yellowstone is one of the most satisfying and heartwarming, despite the occasional dark turn.

Explore more of our Yellowstone coverage:

- TV shows for fans of Yellowstone

- The reasons behind Kevin Costner's departure from Yellowstone

- Is Yellowstone airing tonight?

- Meet the cast of 1923 and see what's in store for Season 2

- Learn more about the talented cast of Yellowstone

- Speculations on Kevin Costner's presence in Season 5 Part 2

- Discussing the fate of Tate in Yellowstone

- Discover the other shows and movies created by Taylor Sheridan

- The burning question: does Beth survive in Yellowstone?

- Recap of Yellowstone's premiere on CBS

- Updates on Matthew McConaughey's upcoming Yellowstone series

- A breakdown of the changes happening with Yellowstone on CBS

- Demystifying the timeline for Yellowstone spinoffs

- Predicting Monica's fate on Yellowstone

- Is Lawmen: Bass Reeves a spinoff and are any Yellowstone stars involved?

- Stay tuned for the release date of the Yellowstone finale

Editor's P/S

As a Gen Z netizen, I find the characters in Yellowstone to be complex and intriguing. The show does a great job of developing each character and giving them their own unique motivations and storylines. I particularly enjoy the character of Beth Dutton, who is a strong and independent woman who is not afraid to stand up for what she believes in. I also find the relationship between John Dutton and his children to be very interesting, as it is clear that they all love each other very much but also have their own conflicts and disagreements.

Overall, I think Yellowstone is a great show with well-developed characters and interesting storylines. I would definitely recommend it to anyone who is looking for a new show to watch.