Who is Phyllis Randall to John Dutton

Phyllis Mary Randall is a character that is mentioned in Yellowstone.

Beware of 'spoilers' from here on down!

Personal life[]

Family[]

Click here for the main page of the Randall family.
Phyllis was the wife of Garrett Randall and mother of James Michael Randall/Dutton. When no-good Garrett and Phyllis wanted to marry, friends and acquaintances had begged her not to do it. Phyllis likely thought she could help or save her husband but ended up in a bad marriage anyway. [1]

Death[]

She never really got a chance to love her son. Her husband beat her to death with a shower head when Jamie was three months old. [1] According to Garret she was a drug addict who sold her body for drugs and he killed her for it. [2]

References[]

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Season 3, episode 7: The Beating
  2. Season 3, episode 9: Meaner Than Evil

John Dutton adopted Jamie even though he despises Jamie’s birth father. We are led to believe that John takes boys in because of Rip but in this instance, Jamie is adopted and given the Dutton name. Rip’s story and position on the ranch should prove that Jamie is more than just an adopted son of a deadbeat. John also told Jamie that he begged Jamie’s birth mother not to marry Garrett Randall because John knew what kind of man Garrett was. John Dutton clearly was close to Jamie’s birth mother well before Jamie was born. We also don’t know Jamie’s mother’s maiden name. I propose that Jamie’s mother’s maiden name was Dutton. Phyllis Mary Randall was Phyllis Mary Dutton, John’s sister. She was addicted to drugs (not far from Beth’s problems with alcohol), ran off with Garrett Randall, was disowned by John’s father, and eventually murdered by Garrett. John then took in his nephew and raised him as his son. Jamie still reminds John of his sister and the pain she caused the family so John maintains a bit of resentment. That impacts how John sees and treats Jamie. John sees in Jamie the man who took his sister from the family and then murdered her. Jamie Dutton is the name of the Dutton patriarch that first claimed the land and founded the Yellowstone ranch. James/Jamie Randall was the birth name given to the current Jamie Dutton. It would be quite the coincidence that Jamie would be given that name unless his mother was a Dutton and named Jamie after her most important Dutton ancestor.

From a story telling perspective, naming this character Jamie Dutton after the original patriarch, is foreshadowing that Jamie Dutton is a Dutton even though his birth father is not. From a recurring narrative perspective, Jamie keeps making rash decisions, based on emotion and limited information, that negatively impact the Dutton family. He inevitably realizes the information he lacked and comes crawling back to his family asking for forgiveness. Jamie will find out he actually is a Dutton through his mother, John is is uncle, and john deserves to be called “dad” because he raised him. Jamie will come crawling back, cry, and be accepted back into the family before the end of season 4.

Phyllis Mary Randall was Phyllis Mary Dutton, John’s sister. She was addicted to drugs (not far from Beth’s problems with alcohol), ran off with Garrett Randall, was disowned by John’s father, and eventually murdered by Garrett. John then took in his nephew and raised him as his son.

Jamie Dutton is the name of the Dutton patriarch that first claimed the land and founded the Yellowstone ranch. James/Jamie Randall was the birth name given to the current Jamie Dutton. It would be quite the coincidence that Jamie would be given that name unless his mother was a Dutton and named Jamie after her most important Dutton ancestor.

John sees in Jamie the man who took his sister from the family and then murdered her. Jamie Dutton is the name of the Dutton patriarch that first claimed the land and founded the Yellowstone ranch. James/Jamie Randall was the birth name given to the current Jamie Dutton.

John also told Jamie that he begged Jamie’s birth mother not to marry Garrett Randall because John knew what kind of man Garrett was. John Dutton clearly was close to Jamie’s birth mother well before Jamie was born. We also don’t know Jamie’s mother’s maiden name.

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In season three of Yellowstone, fans were shocked to learn that Jamie Dutton was adopted.

Prior to the reveal, Jamie had no idea he wasn’t a Dutton by blood.

John and Evelyn Dutton adopted Jamie when he was just three months old. They knew Jamie’s biological parents, with John having known his biological mother before she got married.

In season three, John reveals that he knew Jamie’s mother Phyllis before she married Garrett Randall. While nothing else is known about their relationship and how they knew each other, many fans have their theories.

Some believe that Phyllis was Evelyn’s sister. Others believe that Phyllis could actually be a Dutton herself.

Since Phyllis’s maiden name has not been revealed yet it is impossible to know who she truly is.

Who is Phyllis Randall to John Dutton

John Dutton said in season three, “When he married the woman who gave birth to you, we begged her not to do it because we knew. But, I guess she thought she could save him. I don’t know how to explain the chemistry of attraction, the thing that drives us to kill ourselves.”

How Does Jamie Find Out He is Adopted?

Jamie learns that he is adopted when his assistant hands him his birth certificate. Instead of having John and Evelyn Dutton as his parents, his parents are instead listed as Garrett and Phyllis Randall.

Jamie is taken aback by this appalling discovery. He asks his assistant to find out who his real father is. Jamie confronts John as to why he was kept in the dark about his true identity.

Who is Phyllis Randall to John Dutton
Jamie Dutton confronting John Dutton in the Dutton family home.

Jamie vents in frustration to John before finally calming down enough to learn the truth. John explains to him who his parents are and what happened.

Also read: Why Does John Dutton Not Love Jamie?

Who are Jamie’s Biological Parents?

Though Jamie was raised by John and Evelyn Dutton, his real parents are Garrett and Phyllis Randall. Since Jamie was a baby when he was adopted he does not remember them.

Garrett went to jail after killing his wife Phyllis when Jamie was just three months old. At the time, Jamie went by the name Michael Randall.

Jamie’s father struggled to make ends meet while his mother was a drug addict. One day, Garrett got home from work only to discover young Jamie crying and sucking on a crack pipe. Phyllis was not watching Jamie as she was hooking up with another man.

Who is Phyllis Randall to John Dutton
Jamie Dutton and his biological father Garrett Randall

Garrett became furious that Jamie was in such a dangerous situation. In a fit of rage, Garrett murdered Phyllis for putting Jamie’s life in danger.

Garrett was sentenced to 30 years in jail for murdering Phyllis and Jamie was adopted by John and Evelyn Dutton. He was still just a baby when the Duttons took him in.

Also read our guide on Wes Bentley, the actor who plays Jamie Dutton.

What Happens to Jamie’s Biological Father?

After Garrett is released from jail, Jamie meets his father and the two even begin to bond. However, Garrett hates the Duttons and orders attacks on John, Beth, and Kayce that his former cellmate Terrell Riggins plans out.

Jamie kills his dad after he receives an ultimatum from Beth. Beth said she would report both Jamie and Garrett to the police, she would tell Rip that Garrett tried to have her killed or Jamie could kill Garrett himself.

Jamie begged Beth to change her mind on the matter. However, Beth wouldn’t budge, which led Jamie to come to the conclusion that the best choice would be to kill his father himself.

Who is Phyllis Randall to John Dutton
Jamie before he shoots his father Garrett Randall

Despite growing closer to his father, Jamie shoots him in the head because of Beth’s blackmail. Prior to the incident, Garrett and Randall were bonding, with Garrett telling Jamie he loves him.

Jamie then takes Garrett’s body to the train station to dispose of it. While Jamie was disposing of the body, Beth was there taking photographic evidence. This gives John an edge over Jamie.

Also read: Who Is Will Patton? Actor Who Plays Garrett Randall on Yellowstone

Is Jamie's mom John Dutton's sister?

Prior to the reveal, Jamie had no idea he wasn't a Dutton by blood. John and Evelyn Dutton adopted Jamie when he was just three months old. They knew Jamie's biological parents, with John having known his biological mother before she got married.

How does John Dutton know Garrett Randall?

The Duttons and Randalls were friends, with John knowing Phyllis before she married Garrett. In season three, John admitted to Jamie: “When he married the woman who gave birth to you, we begged her not to do it because we knew.
son. Garrett Randall was the birth father of Jamie Dutton and the primary antagonist for Season 4. He was convicted of killing his wife when Jamie was a young boy and lived by himself on his farm after being released from prison.
Elsa Dutton - John's great aunt Elsa is the sister of John Dutton Senior, but her relationship with Costner's character is more complicated. As John Dutton Junior came into the mix, Elsa is Costner's character's great aunt.