Paramount+ has announced a change in leadership for its popular series, *Dutton Ranch*. Benjamin Cavell will take over as showrunner and executive producer for the show’s second season following the departure of Chad Feehan, who created the series and served as an executive producer during its inaugural season.
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Chad Feehan stepped back from *Dutton Ranch* shortly before its premiere in May. The reasons for his exit remain undisclosed, and he has yet to issue a statement regarding the situation. His departure was confirmed by various sources, including PEOPLE, just ahead of the ambitious show’s launch.
Benjamin Cavell comes to *Dutton Ranch* with a wealth of experience in the television industry. He is known for his work on popular series such as *SEAL Team*, *The Institute* on MGM+, and the adaptation of Stephen King’s *The Stand*. Cavell also contributed as a writer and co-executive producer for the Emmy award-winning series *Homeland*. His diverse portfolio suggests he will bring a fresh perspective to the show as it continues to develop.
*Dutton Ranch* has quickly made its mark on the streaming platform, drawing 12.9 million viewers worldwide in its opening week. This impressive viewership has made it the most successful original series launch in Paramount+ history. The show follows the lives of characters Beth Dutton, played by Kelly Reilly, and Rip Wheeler, portrayed by Cole Hauser, as they navigate their transition from Montana to Rio Paloma, Texas.
The announcement of Cavell’s appointment comes shortly after the programme received a renewal for a second season. The forthcoming season will see Hauser and Reilly continue to act as executive producers alongside Cavell, as well as established industry figures David C. Glasser, Art Linson, Ron Burkle, David Hutkin, Bob Yari, Christina Alexandra Voros, and Michael Friedman.
The decision to make changes within the creative team appears to be a common occurrence within the television industry. Hauser commented on this trend, saying, “Showrunners change all the time. This business is about adapting. We’ve been doing this for a long time. Things change. People move on.” His remarks suggest that industry professionals are seasoned in managing such transitions, maintaining optimism for the future of the series.
Reilly shared her perspective on Feehan’s contribution, highlighting the difficult yet rewarding nature of creating a show like *Dutton Ranch*. “We finished this season together. It was a really difficult but really satisfying show to make,” she explained, reflecting on the collaborative effort involved in bringing the series to life.
Despite the changes, the team remains committed to maintaining the integrity and vision for the characters as they delve into new challenges. Christina Alexandra Voros, who directed several episodes of the show, praised Feehan for his role in crafting compelling adversaries for Rip and Beth. She stated, “I’m grateful to him and his team for creating a world for these characters to move into.”
As the series prepares to unveil its Season 1 finale on 3 July, anticipation continues to build amongst viewers eager to see how the storyline unfolds. The upcoming episodes promise to deliver the same blend of drama and intrigue that has characterised *Dutton Ranch* thus far, establishing a strong foundation for Cavell’s leadership in season two.
With new leadership at the helm, fans of *Dutton Ranch* will be watching closely to see how Benjamin Cavell interprets the world created by Feehan and where he leads the beloved characters in future seasons.