Yellowstone’s Kelly Reilly, Cole Hauser and Luke Grimes Threaten to Bail On Spinoff Over Salary Demands (Report)
Charlie Mason
Editor
Apparently, we don’t even need new episodes of Yellowstone to air for the Paramount Network hit to deliver fresh drama. Kelly Reilly, Cole Hauser and Luke Grimes are asking for massive pay hikes to continue on as Beth, Rip and Kayce, respectively, in series co-creator Taylor Sheridan‘s already-greenlit spinoff, per a report in industry newsletter Puck.
Sheridan hadn’t initially envisioned the trio as part of the Paramount+ offshoot, the franchise’s second set in present-day (after 6666). But when it was suggested that the fan favorites could act as a point of entry for the new show, he got on board. Now, the actors are said to be requesting sizable salary increases to saddle up once again.
Reilly’s initial ask? $1.5M an episode, according to Puck. Hauser’s? $1.25M (as opposed to the $700k he currently makes). The on-screen couple is also asking to be at the top of the call sheet — above prospective lead Matthew McConaughey.
By comparison to Reilly and Hauser, Grimes is supposedly relatively chill about his payday.
Making matters even more complicated — and yes, believe it or not, that is possible — is the fact that the stars are pay-or-play for the sixth season of Yellowstone that was nixed in the wake of Sheridan’s conflict with OG lead Kevin Costner. Translation: Even though it isn’t happening, Reilly, Hauser and Grimes are contractually owed their wages for Season 6.
Puck claims that Paramount and 101 Studios, which produces Yellowstone, have suggested using the actors’ Season 6 pay to soften the blow of their raises. The actors, in turn, have maintained that that would be akin to paying them with money from their own wallets.
So, will Reilly, Hauser and Grimes sign on with the spinoff? Given that Paramount and 101 Studios have given them a deadline of this week to accept their final offer or ride off into the sunset, we should know soon. (Get more Yellowstone spinoff casting news here.)
TVLine has reached out to Paramount+ for comment but, as yet, has not received a response.
Would you be likelier to tune in to the Yellowstone spinoff with Beth, Rip and Kayce front and center? Answer in the comments.
Yes, if they are in the spin off id watch. I was iffy about it before i knew they would possibly be in it
They made the show. They deserve the raise.
Yes to Beth and Rip. Not sure I care about Matthew McConaughey.
I agree with you and do deserve top billing. It doesn’t really matter to me if MM is in it or not. Anyone can play the part but nobody can replace Kevin Costner and who it is makes no difference.
They deserve top billing over an A-list movie star who is a literal Oscar winner!?! Riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiight… 🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂
i will ONLY WATCH if they are IN spinoff. taylor, get your act together & do the right thing for the viewers…NOT for yourself.
It’s not his call but the ones who is paying all of their wages.
Yes, I would watch if original cast is in the spinoff.
I won’t watch without them.
Cole & Beth are what make it! I won’t be watching otherwise.
I think Sheridan has gotten a stuffed head with his successes.
Without them, I won’t watch, and that would break my heart. I absolutely love this show. Do the right thing, Taylor
lol I love this show but we know the deal.
All 3 are getting big offers elsewhere. The call sheet drama is icing on the cake- all 3 want off the show, or at least 2 of them do.
I wasn’t planning on watching if they weren’t in it. Not a fan of Matthew McConaughey at all. Taylor Sheridan needs to get a handle on his shows and productions because he is losing viewers and any interest from potential new viewers.
This show is a friggin mess. By the time we see anything it will be 2026 at this rate. Very unfortunate considering how great it is, or was. What’s the word on the final episodes of season 5, is that still slated for November or is that pushed back? And what about 1923?
I plan on hanging on through the second half of S5 for the conclusion of the OG series, but that’s it for me
Beth and Rip are main characters of Yellowstone. Without them the show will die. That is sad. Love Taylor Sheridan writings, brilliant.
I guess the very real possibility of Beth and/or Rip being killed in the final Yellowstone season isn’t so real after all.
Wait a minute. If the “spinoff” includes the same characters (except Costner of course) it’s not really a spinoff; it’s another season of Yellowstone. I think Yellowstone is ending and they should keep it that way. Move on. It is turning into a mess.
I’ll definitely watch if those three are in it, might not watch at all if they aren’t.
They deserve every penny!! Yellowstone would not have been the hit it has been were it not for them, and Kevin Costner as well. Don’t be penny wise and pound foolish Taylor Sheridan!
While I want everyone to be treated fairly, in this case I have no interest in seeing how the sausage is made. Drama restricted to the screen, please and thank you!
The 4th of the new Star Trek films has been on and off again repeatedly.
.
It was on as they were setting up to do the third one, and Para paid Pine and Quinto something like $6M additional extra each to keep their schedules clear for when Para expected to start shooting it…so…$6M extra to take no other work for X time.
.
They took the money and kept their schedules open for that period.
.
That period came and went with no film.
.
The last time the film was “on,” there was a salary dispute. Pine and Quinto both said Para was low-balling them. Para said, “No we’re not. We already paid you guys $6M.”
“Yeah, you paid us $6M to keep our schedules open for X time in case you wanted to do the movie, and we did.”
Point being, Para likes the, “I already paid you out of your own money.” angle and it’s not the first time they’ve tried it.
At this point it’s been so long I’ve somewhat lost interest but I agree with you. Although some of the problem might be Sheridan a lot of it is with Paramount lowballing. A lot of these companies like to short change the actors while keeping the profits to themselves and the execs. Some actors like Sheridan have realized the money comes from producing and the less writers you hire the better off you’ll be in making money.
As long as the writing continues to be good, and actors of quality are hired for roles, I would watch it. I have loved Taylor Sheridan writing so far. For me, he is the draw.
Only way I would watch!!!
They have powerful leverage, so no issue with them using it. Cash in while you can.
Can’t they just get along and do seasons 6 and 7 and wrap up the show properly? This has gotten so messy. At this point I expect them to be out and this all to fizzle out. Been watching reruns and still love the show but the behind the scenes stuff really is taking away from it. The show is the cast including Kevin and they need to mediate and calm down and go back to the original plan. Nothing else is gonna pan out.
if the original cast is in the spin off I would definately watch it. They are worth every penny. I also miss Kevin Costner. They all create the family.
I don’t think I would consider it a Yellowstone spin-off without them! Kevin Costner really killed off a good thing…
Pay them!!! Costner was the initial draw but people (myself included) are staying and have stayed because of Kayce, Beth and Rip. If they want to save the franchise, keep them and pay them what they deserve. Even if the mothership show was still going to continue, this was ultimately going to come up sooner or later.
Deranged to think either of them should get top billing over Oscar winning movie star Matthew McConaughey!
Yes, he is a movie star. Doing TV every week is a different kettle of fish. Personally, I cannot stand him, so I hope the 3 originals make it into the spin off or I will not be watching.
Sorry, but MM is just not at his peak anymore. He’s gotten skinny and scraggly. Doesn’t look like a healthy Montana rancher. Not into him anymore. Plus, he’ll take up too much oxygen whenever he’s in the room. The show sizzles with Rip and Beth. It should be them going forward.