As Dutton Ranch heads into the final episodes of its first season, one character has emerged as the show’s most dangerous wildcard: Rob-Will Jackson. The ruthless cowboy returned in Episode 6 and immediately reignited the war between the Jackson family and the Duttons, setting the stage for what could be an explosive finale.

But according to actor Jai Courtney, Rob-Will’s appeal comes from one simple fact: he’s having as much fun causing chaos as viewers are watching it.

Speaking with Men’s Journal, Courtney reflected on playing the show’s resident troublemaker and explained why audiences often enjoy villains even more than heroes.

“You can be unlikeable fundamentally as a character,” Courtney said, “but if you’re not having fun when that character’s on screen, it’s easy for the audience to check out.”

The Australian actor is no stranger to playing morally questionable characters. Throughout his career, he has appeared in major franchises including A Good Day to Die Hard, Terminator Genisys, and The Suicide Squad. Yet he believes the key to a successful antagonist is making sure viewers still enjoy every moment they spend with them.

“You may be challenged by his morals, and maybe you’re not ultimately rooting for him,” Courtney explained. “But I sure as hell want you to look forward to him being back on the screen.”

That philosophy appears to be working. Since Rob-Will’s dramatic return, many fans have admitted they enjoy watching the character despite viewing him as the central threat to Rip, Beth, and the rest of the Dutton camp.

Courtney also addressed growing speculation about Rob-Will’s long-term future. While he avoided revealing any spoilers, he suggested that he sees plenty of possibilities ahead for the character. His comments have only fueled fan theories that Rob-Will could survive Season 1 and become a recurring antagonist rather than another one-season villain.

The actor knows a thing or two about returning characters. During the interview, he recalled how disappointed he was when his fan-favorite character Captain Boomerang appeared to meet his end in The Suicide Squad. However, he noted that in modern franchise storytelling, nothing is ever completely impossible.

“The rule book gets broken all the time,” he said. “There’s potential for anything.”

Beyond Rob-Will’s storyline, viewers have also noticed another change: Courtney looks noticeably more imposing in Dutton Ranch than in some of his previous roles.

The actor laughed off suggestions that he underwent a massive transformation specifically for the series. Instead, he explained that his appearance was largely the result of recovering from an earlier role in the thriller Dangerous Animals, where he intentionally gained weight while portraying a serial killer.

“I was eating a ton and drinking beer,” Courtney admitted.

By the time filming began on Dutton Ranch, he had simply returned to a healthier routine and trimmed down. Even so, he joked that fans hoping for the lean version of himself from years ago should not hold their breath.

“I’m 40 now, and you just thicken up,” he said. “Ain’t no skinny Jai Courtney coming back anytime soon.”

With Rob-Will now back in the picture and tensions escalating across the ranch, Courtney’s villain has quickly become one of the most talked-about elements of the series. Whether he ultimately survives Season 1 remains a mystery, but one thing is becoming increasingly clear: viewers are enjoying every minute of the trouble he’s causing.

And if Courtney gets his way, they won’t be seeing the last of Rob-Will anytime soon.