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The actor, known for playing the brooding cowboy Rip Wheeler in the hit TV series “Yellowstone,” appeared as his natural self — a ginger-haired man.

Fans quickly took to social media to share their thoughts, with opinions split down the middle. Many Instagram users made it clear they preferred Hauser’s darker, rugged look.

Comments ranged from, “Looks better with black hair,” “He looks way better with black hair,” to “Would not have recognized him without his beard and hair dyed black.”

Others added similar sentiments, saying things like, “I like the black hair color and black beard better!” and “I like him better with the dark hair.” Despite this, not everyone was critical. A handful of fans praised Hauser’s natural appearance.

One commenter gushed, “So much sexier as a ginger!” while another excitedly remarked, “There’s the ginger I know and love.”

A fan was astonished by the drastic transformation, saying, “Yellowstone is literally on my TV right now, and I still didn’t know who this was until I read the comments. That color change on the hair really did do its acting job.”

On Facebook, the debate continued, with many users echoing the preference for the dark-haired look. “Looks better with darker hair,” wrote one commenter, while another added, “He needs brown hair back immediately.”

Another user confessed, “I’d never have known that was him.” One were simply surprised by the change remarking, “Back to being a natural red head, it always freaked me out with him as brunette on ‘Yellowstone.’ [sic]”

The rugged look Hauser adopts for “Yellowstone” is no accident. Since Hauser is a redhead like Kelly Reilly, his character is defined by his dark hair and beard, a choice made to distinguish him from Reilly, who portrays Beth Dutton.

The actor also underwent extensive physical preparation for the role of Rip Wheeler. In interviews, Hauser described how he spent grueling hours at cowboy camp, mastering essential skills like riding and roping.

“I just rode every day all day long until my legs are about to fall off, and that just gets you strong,” he said. “You eat what cowboys eat, which is rice, beans, and steak, and your body just ends up changing into something that it wasn’t before.”

Hauser credited the intense training regimen for helping him embody the character fully, noting that the experience helped him get his head “right” for the demanding role.

Hauser’s appearance as Wheeler has become iconic, so it’s no surprise that a simple change in hair color has sparked such strong reactions. The transformation has left some fans longing for his signature dark look, while others embrace his return to his natural roots.

Either way, the lively debate reflects just how deeply his portrayal of Wheeler has resonated with audiences. The buzz over Hauser’s surprising new look comes just as “Yellowstone” returns for season 5.

Earlier this year, “Yellowstone” viewers were resolute in not watching the series’ highly anticipated season for reasons that had to do with a beloved star, who previously spoke about not returning to the show.

On June 20, the official Instagram account for the popular Western drama “Yellowstone” posted a video teasing the arrival of the second half of the show’s fifth season. While their post had all the perfect elements for building up anticipation among viewers, netizens didn’t agree with a certain change that affected the cast.

Using the show’s signature “Y” emblem that was enveloped by bright orange flames, the Instagram video alerted fans that “the epic return of Yellowstone” would arrive this month (November) on Paramount Network.

“Save the date: November 10. #YellowstoneTV,” captioned the account. In contrast to the teaser’s excited vibe and tone, online viewers came forward to express their grievances with the show’s return.

For many people, Hollywood icon Kevin Costner’s absence in the series left them with a bad taste in their mouths, as they expressed how watching the new season without him was pointless. “Won’t be the same without Kevin Costner…I’m so sad. 😭💔,” penned an Instagrammer.

Another remarked, “What’s the point without Kevin Costner?!” “There’s no point of [sic] watching this show if Kevin Costner isn’t in it. Taylor Sheridan you really messed up this one,” echoed someone else who referenced the show’s creator as well.

Joining the many others who felt Costner’s absence was detrimental to the show, a spectator asserted, “Passs! No Costner- No show! Sorry!” while another person added, “Not gonna lie. It’s not the same without Kevin. 😢.”

“Dead to me. No Kevin = not watching. So what if he has a passion for doing another show? A starring actor can make that balance. But greed is king for Sheridan,” opined another user who was up in arms over the situation.

On the other hand, some people were elated to hear of the show’s return, with or without Costner’s presence. “Finally!!! 🙌 We’re all waiting for Beth & Rip to keep the ranch drama alive! John will be missed but let’s be honest…. Beth & Rip can hold this show for many seasons to come!” commented a fan of the series. Another admirer simply exclaimed, “I can’t wait!!!”

A day after the new season teaser came out, Costner took to Instagram to confirm that he would not be making a return to the series.

“Hi, everyone. I just want to reach out and let you know that after this long year and a half of working on ‘Horizon’ and doing all the things that’s required, and thinking about ‘Yellowstone’ — that beloved series that I love, that I know you love — I just realized that I’m not going to be able to continue season five b or into the future,” began “The Bodyguard” actor.

He went on to highlight how much “Yellowstone” changed him as a person, reiterating his deep adoration for the series. “I love the relationship we’ve been able to develop, and I’ll see you at the movies,” concluded the star.

After sharing the post, Costner sat down for an interview with USA Today, where he contextualized his video. At the time, the Hollywood talent was on an extended media tour promoting his then-new Western film series “Horizon.”

“Simply with all the questions that were being asked (about ‘Yellowstone’), the longer I thought about that … I just wanted to say that this is a stepping-off point,” explained Costner.

He then added, “Whatever I’d hoped for maybe was not in the cards. I don’t want to keep saying, ‘Yeah, I hope I can do it.’ That’s drifted to a place that I don’t think is realistic anymore.”

In the same interview, Costner also clarified that there was nothing specific that had been done by Sheridan or Paramount Studios that led to him making the video. Instead, his post was meant to signify that he was done holding out optimism for his return that wasn’t there.

“I just wanted to get that done. I’m not a machine trying to figure this out. But I’m not a person that leaves people high and dry,” disclosed Costner.

Since 2018, Costner has been a staple on the show that follows the lives of a ranching family in Montana, who have frequent face-offs with people encroaching on their land.

His beloved portrayal as the owner of one of the biggest cattle ranches in the U.S. and the patriarch of the Dutton family, John Dutton III, has been revered by many. Costner’s role has also been spoken about by his fellow cast mates, one of whom addressed the actor’s exit from the show.

Famous actor Luke Grimes, who plays Costner’s on-screen son, Kayce Dutton, previously opened up to People magazine about the ordeal.

Speaking about what it was like to not have Kevin Costner back on set, Grimes divulged, “Him not coming back felt like, ‘Okay, we’re going to have to land this plane now for real’ […] It definitely felt different.”

While Grimes acknowledged the difference that came with Costner’s departure, he said, “I think the patriarch leaving was always going to be part of the story. That’s always where it was headed is like, ‘What do these kids do? What does this family do when their rock is gone?’”