Few shows, if any, have experienced a run of success quite like Yellowstone has thus far. From its relatively quiet rise in the ranks with its first three seasons to its ratings-crushing run in Season 4 and the first half of Season 5, Paramount Network’s neo-western is one of the biggest shows on TV. But due to reports of chaos behind the scenes between star Kevin Costner and co-creator Taylor Sheridan, the Dutton family’s flagship drama is coming to an end, though with a follow-up sequel in place. So what’s happening with the final batch of episodes, and when will they hit the upcoming TV premiere schedule?
That’s precisely what we’re here to dig into, as it’s been well over a year since Season 5 closed out with its winter finale, (which can be streamed with a Peacock subscription). In that time, Kevin Costner got divorced and wrapped filming on his new multi-film project Horizon: A Western Saga, while Taylor Sheridan debuted two new shows and delivered Mayor of Kingstown’s second season. Not to mention a new series was announced to be joining the lineup of upcoming Yellowstone shows. So let’s take a look below at where everything currently stands.
When Will Yellowstone Season 5’s Final Episodes Air?
Though Paramount Network’s original plan was to bring Yellowstone back in Summer 2023, following the show’s first production hiatus, that idea went the way of the dodo once all the behind-the-scenes strife went down. Details were quite iffy throughout the year as the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes went down, but when those conflicts were resolved, the network’s execs revealed in early November 2023 that the now-final season will debut in November 2024, around two years after the season first started.
That’s assuming everything goes successfully before that point, too. With Taylor Sheridan adding more projects to his plate on a regular basis, nothing seems too guaranteed in this fictional universe, but the current plan is for the season to close out by the year’s end.
How Far Into Production Is Yellowstone Season 5?
At the time of this writing, the production on Yellowstone’s final run has yet to reconvene for the final episodes, and only the initial eight installments that aired already were filmed in full. The strikes delayed any hoped-for attempts to wrap things up, and later scheduling commitments stood in the way of filming kicking off immediately after.
In November 2023, we reported on the notion that Yellowstone would kick off production for its final six episodes in Spring 2024, which still seems to be the plan. The catalyst for forward progress here is for snow and ice to be 100% gone in the Montana locations where the show films. As fans are well aware, the series doesn’t often depict any wild weather situations, as filming during the winter months is far more arduous and potentially dangerous for all involved.
Is Yellowstone Seriously Ending On Season 5 Without Kevin Costner?
As strange as it has been to even consider, the current status of Yellowstone’s final episodes does indeed point to the western drama concluding without a chance for Season 6 to become a reality. As well, no follow-up reports have sprung up that point to Kevin Costner making amends with anyone and everyone he butted heads with allegedly over scheduling and salary issues. Which is to say, Costner’s return as John Dutton is highly unlikely, bordering on impossible.
That said, until the final six episodes are absolutely through the filming, editing, sound mixing, etc. processes, there’s always a chance for Yellowstone to wrap up with all of its principal cast members on the screen. Perhaps enough time away from everything will allow for cooler heads to prevail, inspiring Costner to return to the series to give his beloved character a proper swan song.
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If that doesn’t happen, Yellowstone will still need to figure out a way to close out John’s story in a way that will be pleasing to both fans and others working on the show. We reported on rumors indicating Kevin Costner wants a say in how John’s story concludes, though it’s unclear whether or not Taylor Sheridan would humor such requests after everything that went on.
What Else Can Yellowstone Fans Look Forward To Besides Season 5’s Ending?
For all the rumored toil and trouble that affected the mothership series, the Yellowstone franchise as a whole remains an ever-growing entertainment powerhouse. And that’s speaking entirely about the TV side of things, and not the equally exponential growth of Yellowstone merchandise, from clothing lines to Funko Pop figures to board games to Taylor Sheridan’s coffee brand and wine club. (As of February 2024, even 1883 has Funko Pops.)
Outside of all that, fans can look forward to more from the Dutton family’s prequel adventures, first via the second season of 1923, with Harrison Ford and Helen Mirren set to reprise their acclaimed roles of Jacob and Cara Dutton. Star Brandon Sklenar, who portrays their globe-trotting son Spencer, spoke with Fox News in the first half of January 2024, saying that he was ready to get back with his co-stars and that they were “about to start” production on the final eight episodes. No confirmed start date on those, however.
Beyond that, Paramount Network confirmed the existence of a sequel series (titled 2024) set to immediately follow the events of Yellowstone proper, which has long had Matthew McConaughey pegged to lead a cast featuring several stars returning from the main series. However, contract negotiations have reportedly been a cause for the Texas actor’s hesitance to sign on, while other contract negotiations could reportedly cause Cole Hauser and Kelly Reilly to bow out of reprising Rip and Beth.
A new spinoff series was also announced in the realm of prequels to follow-up a generation after Jacob and Cara’s reign. Fans will be able to catch up with the next batch of Duttons in 1944, which currently doesn’t have any cast members or major details locked down. Here’s what Showtime & MTV Entertainment Studios Chris McCarthy said about the series orders at the time:
On the heels of 1883 and 1923’s success, our new planned spinoffs, 1944 and 2024, will take audiences on a thrilling, new and unexpected journey with the complex and compelling storytelling that has become a hallmark of the franchise and has helped turn it into a worldwide cultural phenomenon – thanks to the creative mastermind of Taylor Sheridan.
Finally, not much has been said about the long-awaited 6666 spinoff set at the historic Texas ranch that Taylor Sheridan now co-owns. But as far as we know, the project is still planned for the future, with Jefferson White’s Jimmy still set to be the key protagonist.
Until we hear more about the upcoming episodes of Yellowstone’s fifth and final season, know that all eps can be streamed on Peacock, while a Paramount+ subscription is the only place to find 1883, 1923, and Sheridan’s other series such as Mayor of Kingstown, Tulsa King, and Lawmen: Bass Reeves.
