'Perfect' Dutton Ranch casting reveal carries on a longstanding Yellowstone tradition — but don't think this recurring role is going to be the same

• Dutton Ranch casts country singer Morgan Wade in a recurring role
• Wade will star as Carol, "a bartender at the local watering hole in Rio Paloma, Texas, who sees all"
• Wade follows in the footsteps of country stars like Lainey Wilson, Zach Bryan and Ryan Bingham

Yellowstone spinoff Dutton Ranch — which arrives on Paramount+ from May 15 — has added country star Morgan Wade to its cast in a recurring role.

Wade will play Carol, "a bartender at the local watering hole in Rio Paloma, Texas, who sees all". It's currently unclear how many of the six episodes she'll appear in.

Casting country singers is something of a longstanding tradition in the Taylor Sheridan franchise, with Lainey Wilson, Zach Bryan and Ryan Bingham all previously taking on named roles in the main show.

Two other country stars, Riley Green and Chris Stapleton, have previously been cast in Yellowstone spinoffs. However, if you think Wade's role is going to look like anything you've seen before, think again.

Why Morgan Wade's role in Dutton Ranch won't be as noticeable as you think

Dutton Ranch | Official Teaser | Paramount+ - YouTube

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Where Yellowstone was a true ensemble piece, following the fortunes of the Dutton family and everyone who gets caught up in their ongoing chaos, Dutton Ranch’s focus on Beth (Kelly Reilly) and Rip (Cole Hauser) could see the pair take center stage, with less screen time for supporting characters.

While they try to rebuild their future, the pair collide with brutal new realities, and the ruthless owners of a rival ranch who will stop at nothing to protect their empire. In short, I’d bet that anybody who isn't them, or the main supporting cast announced earlier this year, is going to stay in Beth and Rip's shadow.

That would include Wade. I suspect her cameos will range between anything from brief cuts of her various reactions, to a few scenes at best (you only need to rewatch Landman to see how sparingly bar staff are used).

If we're lucky, it might turn out that Wade holds all the cards when it comes to stirring up drama among [whoever]. Paramount is promising that she will see and hear everything — and that will likely include some pretty unsavory secrets.

While it's definitely not a Lainey Wilson-level gig, bartender Carol's real impact on Dutton Ranch remains to be seen — and I can’t wait to find out.

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