Taylor Sheridan's most hated landman character has finally been replaced

By playing Azul, Beth Dutton (Kelly Reilly) and Rip Wheeler’s (Cole Hauser) easygoing ranch hand in Dutton Ranch, J.R. Villarreal redeems his presence in Taylor Sheridan’s television universe after portraying Landman’s easiest character to hate. Both series comprise some of the best entries in the Yellowstone creator’s television catalog, with Dutton Ranch wrapping its first season in July.

Beth and Rip’s Yellowstone spinoff premiered in May, drawing 12.9 million viewers in its first week and becoming the biggest original series premiere on Paramount+. Along with Kayce Dutton’s (Luke Grimes) spinoff on CBS, Marshals,Dutton Ranch continues the story of the original series that Kevin Costner led as John Dutton, with Beth and Rip rebuilding the family’s ranching legacy.

Dutton Ranch Introduces J.R. Villarreal To Yellowstone As Azul

After a fire destroys their homestead in Dillon, Montana, in the premiere of Dutton Ranch, the offshoot takes the power couple to Texas, where they meet the likes of Beulah Jackson (Annette Bening) and other formidable members of Rio Paloma’s ranching community. Beth and Rip buy the historic Edwards Ranch and inherit its former foreman, Azul.

Azul is easily one of the most likable characters in Dutton Ranch, having previously worked for the Edwards and staying on as Beth and Rip rebranded it as their operation. Shown in a flashback to Beth and Rip buying the ranch, the previous owner of the Dutton Ranch secured Azul’s continuing employment during the negotiations, and Azul has proven outstanding.

Like Rip did for John Dutton, Azul goes above and beyond the regular cowboy duties at Dutton Ranch. For instance, Azul and Zachariah (Mark Menchaca) both stay as Rip executes the Dutton Ranch’s herd of cows after discovering that they have foot-and-mouth disease. The moment shows how loyal Azul is and foreshadows his role in Dutton Ranch Season 1’s finale.

After Beth and Rip discover fentanyl in the latest shipment of cows to Beulah’s 10-Petal Ranch with Everette McKinney’s (Ed Harris) help, Mariano Reyes (Raoul Max Trujillo) orders an armed assault on the couple’s ranch for interfering. However, Rip is prepared, and Azul, Zachariah, and even Everette stay at his side, fending off all the attackers, proving their unwavering loyalties.

That said, Villarreal’s new Yellowstone character has proven to be one of the most trustworthy, likable characters in Dutton Ranch. As he has a newborn baby in Dutton Ranch Season 2, the stakes will become even higher for Azul, as his employers find themselves in an all-out war with the cartel, which has kidnapped their son, Carter (Finn Little).

J.R. Villarreal’s Yellowstone Character Redeems Landman’s Manuel

By joining the Yellowstone universe as Azul, where fans get to see the actor play a far more likable character, Villarreal replaces the perception that he previously held in Sheridan’s television universe as Manuel in Landman Season 1. The oil drama starring Billy Bob Thornton as Tommy Norris is another leading series on Paramount+, and Sheridan also created it.

Villarreal plays a menace named Manuel in Landman Season 1. Manuel is associated with Ariana Medina (Paulina Chavez), as the cousin to Elvio (Alejandro Akara), Ariana’s late husband, who dies in Landman's premiere. Due to jealousy, Manuel and Elvio’s other cousin, Antonio (Octavio Rodriguez), terrorizes Ariana and her new boyfriend, Cooper Norris (Jacob Lofland), throughout Landman’s first season.

Going so far as to assault Cooper in his trailer, even though Tommy’s son is just trying to help a single mom, Manuel quickly becomes the most sinister character in Landman. However, Tommy, Dale (James Jordan), and Sheriff Walt Joeberg (Mark Collie) band together to put Manuel in his place, effectively casting him out of the series.

When Villarreal returns as Azul a couple of years later in Dutton Ranch, the actor's gentle and well-mannered portrayal of the Yellowstone character distinguishes him from Manuel’s aggressive presence in Landman. Furthermore, after surviving the attacks in Dutton Ranch Season 1, Villarreal likely has a promising future ahead of him in the Yellowstone universe as Rip’s right-hand man.

Dutton Ranch has officially been renewed for Season 2, and Azul is positioned to rejoin Beth and Rip’s side as they face off with Mariano and the cartel. The biggest mission in Season 2, after the finale of Dutton Ranch Season 1, is getting Beth and Rip’s son back, which coincides with Azul also becoming a father.