Benjamin Cavell Named Showrunner for Season Two of Paramount+’s “Dutton Ranch” After Chad Feehan Exit

Paramount+ has named Benjamin Cavell as showrunner for “Dutton Ranch,” placing the “SEAL Team” creator in charge of the Yellowstone spinoff’s next chapter, the streaming service announced as part of a production leadership change for the series. Cavell will lead season two, according to Deadline, taking over after Chad Feehan exited the series following his role as showrunner for season one.

Feehan served as showrunner for the first season of “Dutton Ranch,” which stars Kelly Reilly and Cole Hauser. Deadline reported that Feehan’s departure occurred ahead of the series premiere, framing the change as a transition in the show’s day-to-day creative and production leadership as the series moved into its early public rollout.

Cavell, who created “SEAL Team,” is stepping into the role of showrunner for season two. The appointment marks a shift in creative leadership for the Paramount+ series that extends the broader “Yellowstone” universe. Deadline’s report connects the selection to the series’ need for continuity in its showrunning structure after Feehan’s exit.

The personnel change underscores how quickly streaming series can adjust behind the scenes. “Dutton Ranch” is a Paramount+ property, and its development cycle is tightly tied to the premium scripted slate at a time when audiences and critics track franchise entries closely and distributors manage production timelines alongside marketing and scheduling.

Industry observers have treated showrunner transitions as a potential report of how a series intends to balance established franchise expectations with new creative direction. For “Dutton Ranch,” the leadership shift comes after the first season’s showrunning run under Feehan, which Deadline described in connection with the series’ period prior to its premiere.

Deadline’s report does not provide additional details on how the storylines or production process may be adjusted for season two beyond Cavell’s appointment and the stated leadership change. The publication also did not outline internal staffing changes beyond the showrunner designation.

As of June 30, 2026, Paramount+ and the series’ producing team have not publicly detailed a new season timeline in the reporting summarized by Deadline. The next steps for viewers will depend on the series’ season two production updates and eventual release window, while creators and production staff will likely reflect the new showrunning structure as season two moves forward.