Taylor Sheridan's Yellowstone franchise sparks Ryan return hopes and recalls near‑casting on The Walking Dead

Actor Ian Bohen, who played Ryan on the original Yellowstone series, said he would welcome a return for his character and his on‑screen partner Abby in the spin‑off Dutton Ranch, fueling fan speculation about a possible cameo in the show's second season.

Separately, Yellowstone creator Taylor Sheridan revealed on a podcast that he advanced to the final stages of auditioning for a major role on The Walking Dead before deciding to focus on writing, ultimately being passed over for Jon Bernthal. The comments highlight Sheridan's early career crossroads that led to the development of the Yellowstone franchise and its related series.