SerpApi.Org
Thought you were going to see more of Ed Harris in Dutton Ranch? Well, you’re not alone. According to the actor himself, Harris told Variety in a brutally honest red carpet interview for his new Apple TV series The Dink that he felt “misled” by series creatives about the importance of his character’s role on Taylor Sheridan’s Yellowstone spinoff series.
The veteran Apollo 13 and Westworld actor plays veterinarian Everett McKinney on the Paramount Western drama. He becomes one of Rip Wheeler (Cole Hauser) and Beth Dutton’s (Kelly Reilly) allies, aiding them in their fight against rival rancher Beulah Jackson (Annette Bening). It’s a decently sized role, and there’s more about McKinney’s connection to the Jackson ranch that is revealed later in the season. But when Variety’s Marc Malkin asked Harris if he was signed on for season 2, the 75-year-old actor responded that he was—even though he was telling his team to “get me the f*** out of here” halfway through season 1.
“I didn’t feel I was being used,” Harris continued. “Prior to signing on for it, I was talked to quite a bit about what the season was, and what my character was going to do—and that I was one of the four main characters. And that wasn’t really the case.”
The actor also cited a karaoke scene in episode 2 that was cut from the show, which included Harris’s character singing in a bar. I couldn’t tell you what song he was about to sing because the show drowns it out with the score and then moves on, but Harris revealed that he was “really p****d off” when he found out it was cut.
“I’m going, ‘F*** you, people,’” Harris said. “They said it was too up for the dark ending of that episode. That, to me, was reason enough to say, ‘I’m voiding my contract.’”
Harris eventually brought up his frustrations and seemingly worked it out with Dutton Ranch’s producers, because he’s still set to return for season 2. Filming begins in February, he says, and he’s “being told that his character will have a little bit more to do.”
I wouldn’t be surprised if Harris’s reaction behind the scenes led to Kelly Reilly’s TV Insider interview earlier this month. The Dutton Ranch star told the outlet that “Season 2 is going to feel very much more Ed’s show.”
“This is not the Beth and Rip show,” she explained. “We’re a new show, and it’s got some heavyweights in it. We’re very proud to be working with them.”
Props to Harris for speaking his mind! He deserves a larger role. I’m certain a little more Ed Harris in the Western drama is exactly what everyone watching at home wanted too. That, and to hear his damn song!
