When it comes to the “young but brave” cowboy Finn Little, Cole Hauser – who plays Rip Wheeler in Yellowstone – does not spare praise. He was particularly impressed by Finn’s ability to learn to control a horse quickly and naturally, to the point of asserting that not every veteran cowboy actor could do that. In a filmmaking environment that is harsh and physically and mentally demanding, Finn stood out as a phenomenon – not only because of his talent but also because of his spirit of continuous learning.
During the filming of Finn Little, Finn Little – who plays Carter, a teenager living on the Dutton ranch – quickly won the hearts of the entire film crew. Despite being one of the youngest actors in the cast, Finn was not at all overshadowed. On the contrary, he showed rare resilience, a strong spirit and a progressive attitude that even those with more experience had to respect. Not only did he memorize his lines and grasp the character’s psychology, but he also spent hours practicing the survival and labor skills typical of a real rancher – from controlling horses, using ropes to handling unexpected situations.
“Cowboy boot camp” – a practical training course organized by creator Taylor Sheridan himself – was an indispensable part of the preparation for the role. For Finn, this was not only a big challenge but also a turning point. When he came to the show, he had almost no experience living in the wild, and was not used to riding horses for hours under the hot sun. However, instead of retreating, Finn chose to move forward. He accepted every challenge with excitement and a progressive spirit, making everyone around him – including veteran actors – admire his remarkable progress in such a short time.
Cole Hauser, as a senior, acted as a mentor, a brother, and sometimes a protector of Finn on set. He often taught Finn the necessary skills when playing a real cowboy – not only in terms of technique, but also in spirit and attitude. In difficult scenes, requiring complex psychology or working in harsh weather conditions, it was Cole who silently supported and encouraged Finn to overcome. Hauser once said: “Finn is a boy with a strong soul and a strong will. He always observes, listens, and never complains. I see in him the shadow of a new generation of promising actors.”
Finn Little’s remarkable maturity is not only shown on screen but also recognized by his colleagues who work with him every day. Finn’s character, Carter, has been one of the surprise highlights of Yellowstone’s recent season — partly thanks to his natural, genuine, and emotional performance, and partly thanks to Finn’s own genuine journey of growth behind the camera.