Chet’s death in the Paramount+ series Dutton Ranch has cleared the path for a new hierarchy at the ranch. The sixth episode killed off the character played by Hart Denton, a move that eliminates one of the two candidates to fill Rip Wheeler’s former leadership role at the titular ranch. With Rip now overseeing operations at the 10-Petal Ranch, the show positioned both Chet and Azul as his potential successors. Chet’s exit leaves JR Villarreal’s character as the only remaining option to take over the day-to-day responsibilities at the property in South Texas.
Chet’s Demise in the Sixth Episode Changes Everything
The episode titled “Cowboy Saint” delivered the fatal sequence that reshaped the show’s power structure. Chet arrived at 10-Petal with a gun, intent on killing Joaquin following his firing by Rip Wheeler. The plan fell apart when Chet shot Joaquin in the hand but missed his intended fatal target. Miguel, played by Berto Colón, emerged from the shadows and put a bullet in Chet’s head, ending the character’s run on the show.
The firing itself set the events in motion. Rip dismissed Chet after learning about his ties to Rob-Will, questioning whether the ranch hand could be trusted. The decision came after Rip assumed the foreman position at 10-Petal Ranch, a job he took to make ends meet following the cattle massacre at his and Beth’s own property. Chet’s response to the firing proved fatal, transforming him from a character with nine lives into the season’s first major casualty.
Before his death, Chet had been one of two characters positioned to replace Rip at Dutton Ranch. The show established both Chet and Azul as potential successors, with Chet’s aggressive temperament and willingness to cross moral lines making him seem suited for the job. His death eliminates that option entirely, leaving Azul as the only viable candidate remaining.
Hart Denton Anticipated His Character’s Violent End
The actor knew his character’s fate aligned with the violent nature of the Yellowstone universe. Denton told Esquire that he did not see how Chet could avoid dying in some sort of violent confrontation. “Chet is our character with nine lives,” Denton said. “He has almost died many times before we start this show. This is his family, and he’ll do whatever he can to survive. But I almost look at it like, I don’t see how he doesn’t go out in some sort of way like that.” He described the death as heartbreaking because Chet acted not for himself but out of misplaced loyalty.
The 32-year-old actor spent his childhood around ranchers in Arkansas, which helped him prepare for the role. He attended cowboy camp before production, spending weeks riding and working with real cowboys to immerse himself in the South Texas ranching world. Denton built character scrapbooks out of vintage cowboy magazines and curated a soundtrack inspired by real ranchers. The physical preparation included gaining roughly 20 pounds to reach 165 pounds for the role.
Denton had kept his character’s death secret from family members, including his grandmother who had become obsessed with the show. “Even my grandma watches. She’s obsessed with it. She’ll call me and ask me questions,” Denton said. “I’m like, ‘Grandma, I can’t tell you these things. And if I knew, I still couldn’t tell you.’” The actor described the role as one of the best jobs of his life and expressed interest in working on another show in the Taylor Sheridan universe in the future.
Azul Emerges as the Sole Successor to Rip
With Chet out of the picture, Azul now stands as the only candidate to take over Rip’s former duties at Dutton Ranch. The character, portrayed by JR Villarreal, had been positioned alongside Chet as a potential replacement after Rip pivoted to his new role at 10-Petal. The series established that Rip’s departure left a vacuum at the ranch, one that required someone capable of handling the day-to-day operations.
Chet (like Rip) was comfortable testing and crossing moral lines in this line of work, which made him a logical choice for the darker aspects of ranching life. With his death, those responsibilities will likely fall to different characters. Azul will probably take up the regular day-to-day ranching responsibilities, while Zach may handle the more dangerous work that Rip previously managed. Zach, recommended by Azul after being released from prison and hired by Rip, has a hardened past and prison experience that makes him suitable for the role.
Rip himself moved to 10-Petal Ranch after he and Beth faced financial hardship. The cattle massacre on their property forced Rip to seek employment elsewhere. His resume impressed Beulah, despite her initially being Beth and Rip’s biggest rival. She hired him as her new foreman, disappointing Chet and her eldest son Joaquin in the process. The move effectively meant the end of Rip’s daily presence at the original Dutton Ranch.
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The Series Splits Rip’s Former Responsibilities
The show does not plan to find a single character to fill Rip’s boots. Instead, Dutton Ranch splits his former duties between two figures. Azul will likely manage the daily ranching work, while Zach handles the enforcement and problem-solving aspects of the job. This approach differs from what some fans expected, especially since Chet initially seemed like a natural replacement given his aggressive tendencies and willingness to take risks.
Zach, played by Marc Menchaca, arrived at the ranch through a recommendation from Azul. His prison record and background made him a candidate for the work that requires a harder edge. With Chet gone and Zach in place, the series has established a new dynamic for the ranch’s leadership structure as it heads into the season’s final episodes.
The season finale is scheduled for July 10, 2026, on Paramount+. Episodes also stream on the platform in the US, UK, Canada, and Australia. The show’s first season consists of nine episodes, with the eighth and ninth episodes scheduled for June 26 and July 3, respectively. Chet’s funeral takes place off-camera between episodes 7 and 8, a structural decision that the producers have acknowledged will generate discussion.
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