Ed Harris’ public frustration over his role in Dutton Ranch appears to have had real consequences behind the scenes. According to new reports, the Oscar-nominated actor’s complaints that he felt “misled” about the importance of his character, Dr. Everett McKinney, helped trigger a major creative shake-up ahead of Season 2.

Deadline reports that creator and original showrunner Chad Feehan has exited the series, with SEAL Team creator Benjamin Cavell taking over as executive producer and head writer. Sources also claim Harris was involved in the search for Feehan’s replacement, signaling just how influential the veteran actor has become within the production.

The reported overhaul comes only days after Harris stunned fans during a red carpet interview by admitting he nearly walked away from the series while filming its first season.

“Midway through Season 1, I was ready,” Harris said. “I told them, ‘Get me out of here right now.’ Honestly, I didn’t feel like I was being used. I felt like I had been misled.”

The 75-year-old actor joined the Yellowstone universe as Dr. Everett McKinney, the compassionate Texas veterinarian who becomes one of Beth Dutton and Rip Wheeler’s closest allies after their move to Texas. Although Everett played an emotional support role throughout the season, Harris believed he had been promised something much bigger before signing on.

According to the actor, early conversations with producers described Everett as one of the show’s four central characters. Once production began, however, he felt the reality was very different.

“Before I signed my contract, they talked extensively about the season, about my character, and about me being one of the four leads,” Harris recalled. “That wasn’t really the case.”

Harris said he repeatedly voiced his concerns to producers, explaining that he felt his character had little meaningful material despite being positioned as a major part of the series.

Ironically, after watching the completed season, Harris admitted the overall story worked better than he expected. He acknowledged that Everett ultimately proved important to the narrative, but said the experience of performing the role never reflected the significance producers later claimed the character had.

One moment continues to frustrate him more than any other.

Harris revealed that an opening sequence featuring Everett singing in a bar was completely removed from the final cut. Producers reportedly felt the scene was too upbeat compared with the darker ending of the episode.

“They said it was too over-the-top,” Harris remembered. “I was like, ‘Come on!'”

The deleted scene became symbolic of his larger disappointment with how his character was handled.

Despite nearly quitting, Harris ultimately stayed with the series, and reports now suggest his patience has paid off.

Sources say Everett McKinney will receive a dramatically expanded role in Season 2, giving Harris the larger storyline he originally expected. The actor reportedly signed a two-year contract with extension options, indicating Paramount still views him as an important long-term piece of the franchise.

Neither Paramount nor Harris has officially commented on the reported showrunner change.

The shake-up has already sparked intense discussion among Yellowstone fans, many of whom praised Harris for speaking openly about his frustrations instead of quietly accepting the situation. Others are now even more curious to see how Benjamin Cavell reshapes the series after taking creative control.

With Ed Harris expected to play a much bigger role and a new creative leader steering the franchise, Dutton Ranch Season 2 could look very different from its debut season. For viewers who felt Everett McKinney deserved far more screen time, Harris’s candid criticism may have changed the future of the show.