Country Singer Morgan Wade Joins Yellowstone Spin-Off Dutton Ranch

Country singer Morgan Wade has joined the cast of Dutton Ranch, a nine-episode spin-off from Yellowstone. She will play bartender Carol at a local bar in Rio Paloma, Texas, according to Deadline.

The series follows Beth Dutton, played by Kelly Reilly, and Rip Wheeler, played by Cole Hauser, as they start a new life in Texas after leaving Yellowstone. It debuts May 15 on Paramount+.

Taylor Sheridan, the creator of Yellowstone and its spin-offs including 1883, 1923, Marshals and Dutton Ranch, often casts country singers for authenticity. Wade joins Riley Green and Lainey Wilson in the universe.

Wade, from Floyd, Virginia, has released five country albums and toured with Zach Bryan, Luke Combs, Chris Stapleton, Joan Jett, Alanis Morissette and Shinedown.

Riley Green earned his first acting credit in Marshals. He played Garrett, a troubled Navy SEAL who seeks help from Kayce Dutton (Luke Grimes) and Pete Calvin (Logan Marshall-Green). Green appeared in four episodes and performed his original song My Way.

The role came after Green told friend Grimes of his acting interest while they wrote music together. "I mentioned I had some interest in acting. I didn't know it would turn into a job so quickly. [Grimes] certainly threw me a bone getting me on this show," Green told USA Today.

Green said he never thought he would act growing up. "I don't know that I really grew up thinking I was going to be acting, but when I got that call from Luke to be able to come be a part of the show, how do you not do that?" he told Entertainment Tonight. "My granddaddy always used to say to make hay while the sun's shining. And it's been shining for the last two, three years."

Grimes said they met at Losers bar in Nashville and later wrote a song. During a session, Green mentioned acting, and Grimes helped him audition for Marshals despite Green's fame. "Somewhere out there, there is an audition tape of me and Riley Green getting him a part in Marshals. But he was great," Grimes told Taste of Country.

Green preferred auditioning. "I wouldn't want to be given a part because of something I've done in music. I want to somewhat earn it, if I can," he told Decider.

Lainey Wilson debuted as aspiring musician Abby in five episodes of Yellowstone season five. Sheridan told her, "I want to create a character specifically for you, and I want you to sing your music and kind of be yourself, but go by a musician named Abby," she said on the TODAY show in July 2024.

"I've never acted a day in my life," she added. On Sirius XM: The Highway, Wilson said her character drove through Montana, found fans and got involved with cowboys despite knowing better.

Tim McGraw and Faith Hill appeared in the Yellowstone prequel 1883, released December 2021 and ending February 2022. McGraw played James Dutton; Hill played Margaret Dutton.

Ryan Bingham played Walker in 37 episodes of Yellowstone from 2018 to 2024. Zach Bryan appeared as himself in season five, episode seven, performing at a county fair in the December 2022 episode.