Dutton Ranch season 2 in limbo after showrunner exit as fans pitch wild story ideas

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If this isn't a maxim in showbiz world yet, it should be: if you want a TV show done well, let a fan take charge.

This mantra could have saved us from the hideous finales we saw from Game of Thrones and The Boys , and could have made a lot of series debuts... well, tolerable.

So far, Dutton Ranch hasn't had this problem — in fact, I'd go as far as to say that the Yellowstone spinoff was better received by fans and critics than I could ever have imagined.

But with showrunner Chad Feehan exiting the show before season 1 even reached Paramount+ , Dutton Ranch season 2 could now be in a spot of trouble.

Sure, the season 1 finale left us with plenty to chew over, but, with an as-yet unannounced new creative lead set to take over, who knows what could happen next.

Luckily, fans already know what direction they want new episodes to take... and one theory is so delicious that I think executive producer Taylor Sheridan should be paying close attention.

Fans predict that 10 Petal will become the new Dutton Ranch halfway through Dutton Ranch season 2

(Image credit: Paramount+) Spoilers for the Dutton Ranch season 1 finale ahead.

"Here’s my prediction for where this is heading," one fan posted on Reddit . "Rip (Cole Hauser) and Beth (Kelly Reilly) team up with the Jacksons to get Carter (Finn Little) back.

"Once that’s resolved, Beulah (Annette Bening) retires and hands the ranch over to Rip and Beth setting them up as the new owners."

So far, so logical. Mariano's (Raoul Max Trujillo) men stormed Beth and Rip's house in the final scene of the season finale, taking Carter hostage after threatening the couple to step away from 10 Petal business or else.

With Rob-Will (Jai Courtney) now dead, Beulah has no direct successor to 10 Petal. Joaquin (Juan Pablo Raba) no longer seems like an option after... well, killing his brother... so who else does this leave?

"If the writers want the story to land, this is the move," the fan continues. "The whole appeal of Yellowstone was a massive, high-stakes ranch, and they’ll need to rebuild that scale here. You can’t just hand over an operation that size without a real arc behind it so getting Carter back becomes the emotional payoff that earns Rip and Beth their place at the top.

"Calling it now: by the midpoint of Season 2, the 10 Petal is the new Dutton Ranch."

Another weighed in, "Yeah, that’s what it’s looking like. Not sure if it will happen by season two unless the new show runner picks up the pacing."

"Agreed. I think Oriana's (Natalie Alyn Lind) pregnancy will tie in, in that Beulah will be comfortable handing the ranch to Beth and Rip, because it's staying in the family either way," a third weighed in.

It's certainly the most sensible path to take, but so much of what happens next will depend on the vision of whoever the next showrunner is.

I'm still holding out hope for a crossover with Landman or Marshals , but perhaps I'm running before I can walk. Season 3, perhaps?