Hauser considers the βscariest partβ of Rip Wheelerβs demeanor to be how βnormalβ he is
Cole Hauserβs true grit cowboy persona on Yellowstone has become one of the most defining elements of the hit Paramount Network series throughout its five-season run. However, the actor initially believed that his character was βgoing to be so hatedβ by viewers.
Hauser, 49, takes on the role of jaded ranch foreman Rip Wheeler in the western drama. Rip first came to John Dutton (Kevin Costner) as a young boy who was on the run after killing his stepfather to protect his mother. John took him in like a son and taught him how to be a cowboy, while also frequently leveraging his hot streak to exact merciless violence and murder against anyone who went against the ranch.
Hauser tells PEOPLE that fansβ love for Rip βsurprised the sβ out of [creator] Taylor Sheridan and I, at first,β particularly noting what makes him such a menacing character.
The star compares Rip to being βlike normal people. And I think thatβs whatβs the scariest part,β adding that βhe is just that kind of animal.β
Furthermore, Hauser notes that there are parallels between the βbad guysβ he plays, particularly how they βdonβt really play themselves as bad guys.β
That awareness of Ripβs menacing nature led Hauser to question why fans, particularly women, were so enamored by his character.
βAt first, to see women coming up and saying, βOh my God, I love your character.β I was thinking, βWhatβs wrong with you?ββ he quips but explains that his mentality on the subject changed once he understood fansβ perspective a bit more.
Hauser says that as Yellowstone has βgrown [in popularity], I see the bad boy kind of thing that they love.β
βWhat makes [Rip] special is that he has an unbelievable heart too,β the actor adds. βI mean, his loyalty is to not only the Dutton family, but to Beth [Dutton (Kelly Reilly)] and his kindness, other than wanting to kill people times, is just, to me, itβs the best of both worlds to be able to play.β
Hauser adds that the emotional depth of Rip as a character is, in part, what has kept him interested in the role throughout the duration of Yellowstone.
βYou look for colors in characters, and Taylor, in the last five seasons, has given Rip those wonderful colors,β he concludes.
Yellowstone is available to stream on Peacock.