Finn Little, who returns as Carter in the spinoff series Dutton Ranch, recently shared a humorous and somewhat embarrassing moment from his time on set, highlighting the challenges of working alongside a veteran star like Annette Bening. At just 20 years old, Little portrays Carter, the adoptive son of Beth Dutton, played by Kelly Reilly, and Rip Wheeler, played by Cole Hauser, as the family relocates to a Texas ranch in this Yellowstone universe spin-off. While Finn has enjoyed a successful return to the franchise, he admits that one particular day of filming left him flustered and speechless due to the pressure of acting opposite Bening, who joined the series as rival rancher Beulah Jackson.

Finn recalls that he only had a single scene with Bening during the season, which was enough to make the day notably challenging. Despite spending time with her off-camera, where he found her approachable and friendly, the actual filming presented a different experience. “I had one scene with her. Man, I wish I could say it went better,” Little told PEOPLE, reflecting on the pressure he felt. He described the day as “rough,” noting that he struggled to deliver even a single line. In the scene, Carter meets Beulah for the first time at the 10-Petal Ranch’s anniversary party. The encounter is formal, as Carter shakes her hand and introduces himself, but for reasons he could not fully explain, he experienced a severe bout of nerves that left him unable to speak properly. He suspected that a dry mouth or some other minor physical distraction contributed to his performance difficulties. “I had one line with her, and every single take I… couldn’t get it out,” he admitted, laughing at the memory of his awkwardness.

This moment, though embarrassing at the time, has become part of the learning curve for the young actor, who is still finding his footing in front of more seasoned performers. Off-camera, Finn had a much more relaxed interaction with Bening during a cast dinner, describing her as “lovely” and enjoyable to be around. Despite the on-screen hiccup, he clearly respects her professionalism and presence, noting that she brings a unique energy to the set that is inspiring to observe.

Natalie Alyn Lind, who plays Carter’s new love interest Oreana, also had the opportunity to work with Bening, portraying her character’s granddaughter. Lind, 25, shared that she was able to adjust more comfortably in her scenes, learning a great deal simply by observing Bening’s approach to acting. “From the beginning, doing these scenes with her, she has taught me so much by not even saying anything,” Lind told PEOPLE. She explained that Bening’s manner of handling herself on set and developing her character offered valuable lessons, emphasizing the importance of watching and absorbing the nuances of veteran actors’ performances. Lind described the experience as particularly enriching, saying that any day spent working with Bening provided an opportunity to learn multiple new acting techniques.

Bening herself has expressed enthusiasm for joining the Dutton Ranch project and praised the cast she works with. In interviews leading up to the spinoff’s premiere, she revealed that it was Kelly Reilly who initially drew her to the series. Bening admitted that she was already a fan of Yellowstone and was particularly impressed by Reilly’s performance. She shared a charming anecdote about discovering Reilly’s English heritage, noting how it added to her admiration: “By the way, I didn’t even know she was English. When I heard that, I’m like, ‘Wait, on top of everything else — she’s English? That’s incredible.’” Her comments highlighted the respect and camaraderie that underpins the set dynamic.

Bening also discussed the collaborative aspect of acting with a strong ensemble cast. She emphasized that the quality of performance is often determined by the actors you work alongside, highlighting the energy exchange that occurs during scenes. According to Bening, part of the enjoyment in acting comes from the unpredictability of live performance, the subtle shifts in delivery, and the immediate reactions from co-stars. She praised actors like Ed Harris, Kelly Reilly, and Cole Hauser, noting that observing and responding to their energy contributes to the overall richness of the scene.

Looking forward, Finn Little hopes that he will have the opportunity to work with Bening again in future seasons to demonstrate his abilities more confidently. Despite the single line mishap, his admiration for Bening remains intact, and he seems eager to learn from the experience rather than be discouraged by it. The incident, while embarrassing at the time, has become a lighthearted story reflecting the challenges young actors often face when stepping into scenes with Hollywood veterans.

Dutton Ranch continues to release new episodes on Paramount+ every Friday, expanding the Yellowstone universe with fresh storylines, compelling character arcs, and memorable interactions between established stars and emerging talent. The dynamic between Finn Little’s Carter and Annette Bening’s Beulah promises further opportunities for growth, both in narrative tension and on-set learning experiences. Little’s candid reflection on his “terrible day” provides fans with a glimpse behind the scenes, showing the human side of acting and the humor that can arise even in moments of professional pressure. The blend of seasoned performers and youthful energy highlights the series’ commitment to storytelling that is both entertaining and grounded in authentic performances, ensuring that viewers can enjoy not only the drama on screen but also the amusing stories from behind the camera.