The Shadow Behind the 10 Petal Ranch Revealed in ‘Dutton Ranch’ Meet Mariano Reyes

Since ‘Dutton Ranch’ released its third episode on Paramount+, one name has lingered in the background of Taylor Sheridan’s latest Texas saga. Mariano Reyes, a character heard but not seen, quickly became the most talked-about figure in the show. Now that Episode 7 has unveiled his identity, the buzz surrounding him has intensified.

For weeks, Mariano was just a voice on the other end of a phone call, leaving Beulah Jackson visibly unsettled. Fans eagerly pieced together every hint the show provided, and ‘Dutton Ranch’ has now rewarded that anticipation with a backstory that is richer and more complex than anyone expected.

Episode 3’s credits confirmed that the enigmatic caller is Mariano Reyes, portrayed by actor Raoul Max Trujillo. This surname immediately raised alarms among viewers, as Beulah’s fixer, Joaquin, identifies himself as Joaquin Reyes when he meets Beth Dutton in Episode 3, indicating that Mariano is Joaquin’s father.

Mariano’s introduction is unique; he emerges through absence, a phone call, and the anxious reactions of those with secrets. This slow-burn reveal is a hallmark of Sheridan’s storytelling, effectively establishing Mariano as a new source of tension in Rio Paloma.

Episode 7 finally reveals Mariano Reyes in full. Flashbacks to 1981 show a younger Mariano, played by Bobby Soto, working as a top ranch hand at 10 Petal, responsible for chaperoning Beulah Jackson and her friends during a night out in Fort Worth.

At the bar, Mariano confides in the bartender that he is babysitting his boss’s daughter and mentions his wife and son, Joaquin. The evening takes a dark turn when Beulah slips away with a dangerous man.

Mariano searches for her and finds her raped and left outside a convenience store, her dress torn and face bloodied.

When he eventually locates Beulah, they agree on a cover story to shield her from her father’s anger. In these moments, Mariano appears genuinely concerned and calm. The flashback scenes featuring a young Beulah and the former ranch hand are beautifully executed, offering deeper insight into Beulah’s past and making her a more relatable character.

Despite his sympathetic portrayal in the past, present-day Mariano remains a menacing figure. The lingering question for the rest of the season is what transpired between Beulah’s assault and the present, and why Mariano is making threatening calls to the woman he once protected.

Fans speculated on Reddit that Mariano might be a cartel member who has taken control of 10 Petal Ranch due to its location near the Mexican border. With Rip suggesting that the infected bull came from Mexico, some viewers believed he was also responsible for the destruction of the Dutton Ranch herd.

Episode 7 complicates this narrative significantly. Rather than confirming him as a straightforward villain, the episode hints that Mariano could be positioned as a potential savior for 10 Petal, someone who might eventually confront the increasingly dangerous Rob-Will Jackson.

Two actors portray Mariano Reyes throughout the show’s timeline. Raoul Max Trujillo voices the present-day Mariano first heard in Episode 3, while Bobby Soto plays the younger version in Episode 7’s flashbacks.

Trujillo has over 30 years of experience in film and theater, known for his role as Zero Wolf in ‘Apocalypto’, directed by Mel Gibson. His connection to Sheridan’s universe extends beyond ‘Dutton Ranch’, as he also appeared in ‘Sicario’ and ‘Sicario: Day of the Soldado’, both written by Taylor Sheridan. Bobby Soto brings warmth and physicality to the younger Mariano, making it challenging to view him as a villain.

With only two episodes left in the first season, Mariano’s role in the finale remains uncertain. If Beulah survives what seems to be a stroke at the end of Episode 7, she may still face Mariano’s wrath over the decision to name Rob-Will as the 10 Petal’s successor instead of Joaquin.

The revelations about the Jackson family in Episode 7 have raised more questions than answers, including how Beulah ended up raising Mariano’s son Joaquin and what Mariano’s current presence means for the ranch. The situation at 10 Petal has become increasingly precarious, with Rob-Will blackmailing Beulah into naming him as her successor while bypassing Joaquin entirely. As Joaquin’s biological father, Mariano now has every reason to assert his influence in a direct manner.

‘Dutton Ranch’ has intricately woven one of the most compelling webs of supporting characters in the entire Sheridan universe, with Mariano Reyes at its core. Now that viewers understand the full story of that fateful night in Fort Worth, it raises the question: do you believe Mariano is still a threat to the Duttons, or could he be the one who ultimately brings down Rob-Will from within?