Four episodes into Dutton Ranch, the Yellowstone spin-off introduces a new rancher in Rio Paloma, Texas — or rather, a seasoned cowboy who Carter (Finn Little) meets while looking for work.
Dutton Ranch Episode 4 spoilers ahead.
Episode 4, “Start With a Bullet,” kicks off with Beth (Kelly Reilly) catching Carter and Oreana (Natalie Alyn Lind) in bed together, then telling Carter to go to school while she drives Oreana back home to the 10 Petal.
Since the start of the series we’ve seen Carter’s aversion to the classroom, so rather than follow Beth’s orders, he skips school again and looks for work on another ranch to pass the day. That’s when he meets Dwight White (Ray McKinnon), who invites him to spend the day working for him. So who is Dwight White on Dutton Ranch? And what do we know about Ray McKinnon, the actor who plays Dwight on Dutton Ranch? Here’s what to know about the spin-off’s new character and McKinnon’s successful acting career.
Who Is Dwight White On Dutton Ranch?
Dwight is an Alpine, Texas, born and bred cowboy who overhears Carter looking for work and invites him to his ranch even though he doesn’t have a horse. Why? Well, it seems like Dwight could really use a friend. And aside from Oreana, we haven’t really seen Carter have meaningful interactions with anyone outside the Dutton Ranch, so Carter was in need of some quality companionship, too. Up front, Dwight tells Carter that he can’t pay him, but says he’ll throw in some grub. So Carter takes him up on his offer and spends the day helping Dwight around the ranch while he kicks back in a chair, drinks beer, and offers some wisdom and colorful personal anecdotes. When Beth calls and Carter worries she’ll find out he’s not in school, Dwight argues he’s in the “school of life.” And though Beth advises Carter to take Oreana out to dinner that night, he chooses to hang with Dwight until it’s dark out.
Once Carter earns Dwight’s trust, the rancher takes him to see “something wild.” Hidden on his property is a big cage with a full-blooded African leopard inside. “I named her Xena after the warrior princess,” Dwight explains. “I got her off this old boy from Arkansas, amazing the things you can get on the internet these days.” After he and an awestruck Carter marvel over Xena for a bit, Carter realizes the time and heads home — but not before Dwight hands him some cash. He’s a bit unserious and unconventional compared to other characters we’ve met thus far. But he’s also kind, fun, generous, and a great, authentic-feeling addition to Dutton Ranch‘s world. So while we wait to see more Dwight on-screen, let’s learn more about Dutton Ranch guest star Ray McKinnon!
Who Plays Dwight White On Dutton Ranch? Meet Ray McKinnon
Dwight on Dutton Ranch is played by Ray McKinnon, a 68-year-old actor, writer, director, and producer with nearly 100 acting credits to his name.
Since kickstarting his on-screen career with a role in 1989’s Driving Miss Daisy, he’s starred in dozens of hit films and TV series, including Matlock, Apollo 13, Sons of Anarchy, Mayans M.C., Deadwood, Exeter, Dopesick, Footloose, Justified, and more. He also created and starred in Peabody Award-winning Sundance TV series Rectify and the Oscar-winning short film The Accountant. The multi-hyphenate from Adel, Georgia also created a production company called Ginny Mules Pictures with his pal Walton Goggins and his late wife, actor and producer Lisa Blount, who died in 2010.
Tune in to Dutton Ranch Episode 5 on Friday, June 5 to see if McKinnon returns as Dwight White.
