Keanu Reeves has expressed some interest in appearing in Yellowstone and there are several different parts he could play in the show’s final season.

Keanu Reeves has expressed his interest in appearing in Yellowstone, and there are a few characters the action star could play. The saga of Yellowstone season 5 has been a tumultuous one that was rocked by the announcement that Kevin Costner would be leaving the series after a dispute with creator Taylor Sheridan. However, a behind-the-scenes update in February 2024 hinted that Costner may not be as finished with the Western TV series as initially thought. Whatever the case is, Yellowstone and its spinoffs remain extremely popular and profitable.

The Yellowstone Sheridanverse has a knack for casting the perfect actors in their parts. Sam Elliott, Helen Mirren, Harrison Ford, and David Oyelowo are accomplished and beloved stars who have played important roles in Sheridan productions. Another popular A-lister would be interested in joining the universe if given the chance. Keanu Reeves told ET Canada when asked if he would be interested in a surprise role, “I’d love to do a western so yeah, yeah sure,” (via Wide Open Country). This got rumor mills buzzing as people speculated on who Reeves could play, and there are some likely candidates.

Replace John Dutton

Keanu Reeves Could Be The New Patriarch Of The Duttons

Depending on what happens with Kevin Costner and Yellowstone season 5, Sheridan could be looking to replace his star and head of the Dutton family. Reeves could come in as perhaps a relative of John Dutton and take his place as head of the family and owner of the Yellowstone Ranch. It would not be too difficult to simply have the same exposition that explains why John is absent also explain that Reeves’ character was called in by the remaining family to take ownership of the ranch and lead the Duttons.

What this character was doing for five seasons could provide an interesting backstory and plot point and introduce even more complexity to the show. Reeves would have to prove himself to the other Duttons and the ranch hands, so watching him evolve from a newcomer into someone with John’s stature would be a fascinating arc. A more unlikely but possible route is that Reeves could replace Costner altogether and assume the role of John Dutton. Plenty of TV characters have been recast, though usually not ones as critical as John is to the story.

Jamie’s Brother

Keanu Reeves Could Be Jamie’s Long-Lost Brother

Another possible character that Keanu Reeves could play in Yellowstone is Jamie’s (Wes Bentley) biological brother, either half or full. Jamie was adopted by the Duttons when he was an infant after his father killed his mother. It is possible that Jamie’s mother had children before Jamie and mistreated them in a similar manner, perhaps having also put them up for adoption. Jamie’s dad could also have possibly fathered a child from prison. Reeves could appear as this long-forgotten brother. Perhaps he has been searching for Jamie for years and finally tracked him down.

Bentley and Reeves have similar enough looks that they could certainly pass for brothers, and any discrepancies could be chalked up to them being half-siblings. This would be a fascinating development as Jamie has always been treated as something of an outsider, even within his own family. The arrival of a biological brother could provide Jamie with the relationship he has always been looking for. Conversely, Jamie’s brother could turn out to be dangerous for the black sheep of the Dutton family, and could be looking to take advantage of his brother.

A New Arrival To The Ranch

Reeves Could Be A Drifter And New To The Ranch

The easiest solution for who Keanu Reeves could play in Yellowstone would be a newcomer to the Yellowstone Ranch. Men of varying ages often come to the ranch to find somewhere to belong or to escape something from their past. As long as a newcomer is willing to work hard and defend the Yellowstone against interference from outsiders, they will have a home there. Reeves showing up with a mysterious past would feel right in line with the tone of Yellowstone and would offer an interesting new story angle.

As a new arrival, Reeves would also not have to be a major part of the story, necessarily. He could simply be an interesting side character who comes and goes. Reeves has not stated how much time he would be willing to commit to a series like Yellowstone. As an in-demand actor for both movies and TV shows, Reeves may not have the time to take on a major role, so a newcomer role may be the most viable use of the actor.

A Law Enforcement Officer

Reeves Could Once Again Play A Detective Or An Agent

Another possible character that Keanu Reeves could play is some kind of law enforcement officer who either has a problem with the Duttons or is possibly aiding them. An LEO would fit in very well with the type of characters Reeves has previously played in his career. Johnny Utah in Point Break, Officer Jack Traven in Speed, Detective Tom Ludlow in Street Kings, and Detective Scott Galban in Exposed are all law enforcement officers, and many of Reeves’ other characters are authority figures in one way or another.

Playing an FBI agent or someone from the Livestock Commission could present a thorn in the side of the Dutton family. If his character were to take sides against the Yellowstone Ranch, he would prove a formidable enemy. Of if he ends up helping the Duttons, he may prove to be a valuable ally, particularly if John Dutton is written off the show and the family needs to find new friends now that they are vulnerable.

One Of The Dutton Ancestors

Maybe Keanu Could Appear In A Yellowstone Spinoff

When Reeves said he would be interested in a role on Yellowstone, he could very well have been referring to any one of the spinoff shows of the original series. Reeves could play a Dutton family ancestor in the ongoing 1923, or he could appear in one of the many planned Yellowstone spinoff series such as 6666, 1944, and 2024. He could play any number of related characters or new ones in a sequel series, but portraying a Dutton would be a suitable role for an actor of his stature.

Keanu Reeves could lead a show by himself and, while he has not stated that’s his intention, playing a Dutton in another time period may be the best and most interesting way to slot Reeves into the Yellowstone universe.