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US Ousts Dutton Ranch Showrunner Amid Actor Clashes; Premiere Unchanged

4/24/2026

Summary

Feehan Removed Showrunner

United States removed Chad Feehan as showrunner for Dutton Ranch on April 24, 2026.
Taylor Sheridan and David Glasser acted after clashes with lead actors Kelly Reilly and Cole Hauser.
Feehan finished the nine-episode first season and will not return for a second season.
Paramount executives say the May 15, 2026 premiere will proceed as planned.
They also indicated a season-1 writer may become the new showrunner.

Summary

Feehan Leaves Lawmen

Chad Feehan left his role on Taylor Sheridan’s Lawmen: Bass Reeves to join Dutton Ranch.
The shift mirrors earlier Sheridan series, where Tulsa King lacked a showrunner and the Frisco King spinoff lost its showrunner.
Kelly Reilly and Cole Hauser serve as executive producers while directors Christina Voros, Greg Yaitanes, Jessica Lowrey and Phil Abraham directed episodes, Voros handling premiere and finale.
Hollywood Reporter and Puck reported the departure, prompting Paramount to decline comment.

History

Historical Context

AMC fired series developer Frank Darabont as showrunner in July 2011 after budget cuts and strained relations, replacing him with Glen Mazzara. The change preceded the pilot’s record-breaking 5.3 million viewers and set the stage for later swaps, such as Scott M. Gimple’s tenure that lifted ratings. These shifts illustrate how AMC’s leadership moves have repeatedly reshaped The Walking Dead franchise.

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Feehan Removed Showrunner

United States removed Chad Feehan as showrunner for Dutton Ranch on April 24, 2026.
Taylor Sheridan and David Glasser acted after clashes with lead actors Kelly Reilly and Cole Hauser.
Feehan finished the nine-episode first season and will not return for a second season.
Paramount executives say the May 15, 2026 premiere will proceed as planned.
They also indicated a season-1 writer may become the new showrunner.

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