Neal McDonough, known for his role as Malcolm Beck in Taylor Sheridan’s Yellowstone, recently clarified the fate of his character, addressing fan speculation about whether Malcolm Beck survived Season 2. In a conversation with Collider’s Maggie Lovitt, McDonough firmly stated that Malcolm Beck is not dead, emphasizing that no one witnessed his demise on screen. The actor expressed enthusiasm about the possibility of reprising his role and suggested further conflict with Rip Wheeler, played by Cole Hauser, if his character were to return.
Yes, Malcolm Beck is not dead,
McDonough said definitively.
No one saw him actually die in the field. I would love to see him come back and cause havoc with Rip because Cole Hauser was one of my dearest pals, and there’s nothing I would love more than to go toe to toe with Cole on the show. So, I’m open for that one. Everyone’s got to write in to Taylor saying, ‘Bring Malcolm Beck back!’
McDonough’s Limited but Meaningful Connection with Taylor Sheridan
Despite McDonough’s deep involvement in Taylor Sheridan’s television universe, he admits to having had very few direct interactions with Sheridan himself. In fact, their communication has been limited to a single five-minute conversation on set. Nevertheless, McDonough has been repeatedly invited back to appear in Sheridan’s projects, a testament to the strong trust placed in his talent by the creative team, especially producer David Glasser.
It’s funny, I’ve spoken with Taylor [Sheridan] once. I had a five-minute conversation with him on set once. That was it. But somehow he keeps on hiring me. I got a call from David Glasser, his producer. David Glasser is just a beast. He produces all the shows. I don’t know how he does it.
A Surprising Opportunity Led by David Glasser’s Son
The previous call from David Glasser was not for a new Taylor Sheridan spin-off but rather to participate in a short film directed by Glasser’s son. McDonough initially hesitated due to the low budget and scale of the project, but his artistic drive prevailed. The experience turned out to be fulfilling and enjoyable, broadening his creative scope beyond the Sheridan franchise.
He calls me up, and I’m sitting here with Ruvé [McDonough] on speakerphone, and he goes, ‘Neal, I got a movie for you.’ I’m like, ‘Yes! This is awesome. Another big Taylor Sheridan movie. This is great.’ He says, ‘It’s a short film that my son is directing and writing, and there’s no money in it. We’re shooting in Texas next week. Will you do it?’
There was a piece of me that was like, ‘Ugh!’ Then me as an artist, I’m like, ‘Of course I’ll do it. Let’s go do it.’ As we were down there, we had the greatest time doing the short film. His son did an amazing job directing it. It’s called The Writer, and it was really just this beautiful, crazy short film.
Persistent Wife Spurs Discussion of Future Roles
While working on the short film in Texas, McDonough’s wife, Ruvé, kept pressing him about Malcolm Beck’s storyline, eager to explore where the character might appear next. She challenged McDonough on what could happen to Beck, leading to creative brainstorming about possible crossover appearances. This discussion eventually led to McDonough’s involvement in Tulsa King, starring Sylvester Stallone, which further expanded his collaborations within the Sheridan production circle.
My wife, Ruvé, who’s very persistent, was like, ‘Okay, he’s not dead in Yellowstone. What are you bringing him back as? What is he doing?’ She just wouldn’t leave him alone,
McDonough laughed.
He’s like, ‘I got a great idea. How about he comes on to Tulsa King, and he’s opposite Sylvester Stallone?’ ‘Oh, okay. That sounds great.’
Upcoming Projects and Expanding Presence in Sheridan’s Universe
Neal McDonough’s collaboration with Taylor Sheridan’s team continues to intensify with his upcoming role in the film Guns and Moses, slated to open in theaters on July 11. As Sheridan’s creative universe grows through multiple series and projects, McDonough remains poised to contribute, either reprising Malcolm Beck or exploring new characters in spin-offs and related productions. His energy and dedication reflect the vitality and interconnectedness that Sheridan’s frontier storytelling has fostered among actors and fans alike.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Why did Taylor Sheridan quit acting?
A. The actor, who was close to becoming a parent for the first time, explained that family life greatly influenced his decision to change careers.
Q. Does Taylor Sheridan have a degree?
A. During the university’s spring graduation event, TCU awarded Sheridan an honorary Doctor of Letters degree. This honor recognized his important impact on the arts, the Texas film industry, and the Fort Worth community, as well as TCU.
Q. Did Taylor Sheridan really sue Cole Hauser?
A. Taylor Sheridan, the creator of “Yellowstone,” is taking legal action against actor Cole Hauser regarding a coffee-related issue. Hauser, known for playing the popular character Rip, is being sued by Sheridan. Another dispute has erupted within the “Yellowstone” team.
Q. What degree does Taylor Sheridan have?
A. Texas Christian University plans to award Taylor Sheridan an honorary Doctor of Letters degree on Friday, May 9. This will occur during the spring commencement ceremony. The recognition highlights his important work in arts, Texas filmmaking, the Fort Worth community, and at TCU.
