Stephen Amell Reveals He Auditioned for a Villain Role in ‘Dutton Ranch’

Stephen Amell, widely recognized as television’s Green Arrow, recently disclosed that he almost swapped his bow for a role in a Texas ranch feud. The actor shared that he auditioned for a significant villain part in ‘Dutton Ranch,’ the ‘Yellowstone’ spinoff centered on Beth and Rip, and the circumstances surrounding his near miss are almost too coincidental to believe.

During an appearance on the podcast Inside of You with Michael Rosenbaum, Amell opened up about his audition experience, and fans of the ‘Yellowstone’ universe are just now catching up on his revelations.

Amell revealed that he auditioned for the character Rob-Will Jackson, who serves as the enforcer for the rival 10 Petal Ranch in ‘Dutton Ranch.’ He explained that after reviewing the character description, he had an immediate instinct, openly stating that the role seemed tailor-made for Jai Courtney.

Despite his reservations, Amell approached the audition with determination. He mentioned that he created what he believed was a strong audition tape and received positive feedback from the casting team. Ultimately, however, Paramount chose Jai Courtney for the role.

What makes this story particularly interesting is Amell’s accurate prediction. He had sensed that the role was meant for Courtney before the casting announcement, and he turned out to be correct. Amell has expressed that he holds no bitterness about missing out on the role, as he felt from the beginning that he wasn’t the right fit.

Jai Courtney ultimately secured the role that Amell auditioned for, and it has quickly become one of the standout performances in the new series. Courtney joined the main cast alongside Annette Bening and Ed Harris as ‘Dutton Ranch’ expanded its ensemble beyond the familiar faces from ‘Yellowstone.’

The character Rob-Will Jackson has made a significant impact on viewers, emerging as one of the most ruthless figures in the series, known for killing wrangler Wes Ayers and even attempting to have his own brother eliminated.

Courtney has shared insights on portraying such an unlikable character, stating in an interview with Men’s Journal that playing a villain successfully requires the actor to genuinely enjoy the role; otherwise, audiences may disengage.

‘Dutton Ranch’ represents the latest installment in the ‘Yellowstone’ franchise, following Beth Dutton and Rip Wheeler as they seek a fresh start away from Montana. Kelly Reilly and Cole Hauser reprise their roles from the flagship series, introducing a familiar dynamic in a new setting.

The storyline revolves around the couple’s attempts to begin anew in South Texas, only to face brutal challenges almost immediately.

The series tracks Rip Wheeler and Beth Dutton as they strive to build a future free from the shadows of Yellowstone, only to clash with a rival ranch determined to protect its own empire.

Since its debut, the show has received positive critical reception. Rotten Tomatoes reports an 89 percent approval rating based on numerous critic reviews, while Metacritic reflects generally favorable reviews from critics. This suggests that the ‘Yellowstone’ universe still has plenty of stories to tell, even in a new locale.

While Amell may not yet be part of the ‘Yellowstone’ universe, he is not remaining idle. He is set to appear in Fox’s Baywatch reboot series alongside Jessica Belkin and Hassie Harrison. This project marks a departure from the Texas ranch drama but keeps Amell in the spotlight as he continues to evolve from his ‘Arrow’ days.

Meanwhile, ‘Dutton Ranch’ is just beginning its journey as a franchise entry. The series has already been renewed for a second season, with Benjamin Cavell stepping in as the new showrunner following creator Chad Feehan’s departure before the premiere. With the show’s newly established rival ranch conflict and Amell’s confirmed near involvement, there is clearly more story to explore in this segment of the ‘Yellowstone’ universe.

Would you have preferred to see Stephen Amell face off against Beth Dutton as a villain in ‘Dutton Ranch’ instead of Jai Courtney?