Yellowstone is on its last ride. Yellowstone has been the #1 show on cable, but the series is already in its final chapter. Over the past several months, there’s been drama behind the scenes with Kevin Costner and his filming schedule. The show was supposed to return for the second half of season 5 in summer 2023, but the cast has yet to film the new episodes.
Well, we finally have a picture of when those episodes will air. On November 2, Paramount Network announced when the final episodes of season 5 will air. While Yellowstone is ending, there are now two sequel series in the works. Here’s everything we know about Yellowstone ending after season 5.
‘Yellowstone’ Season 5 Premiere Date
The second half of Yellowstone season 5 was supposed to premiere in 2023, but the show was delayed due to writers’ and SAG-AFTRA strikes, as well as behind-the-scenes drama with its leading star. Paramount Network has now revealed Yellowstone will return for its “epic final installment” in November 2024. There are also two new spinoffs in the works: 1944 and 2024.
“Within five years, we grew Yellowstone from a hit U.S. cable show with five million viewers into a global hit franchise with over 100 million fans around the world and multiple extensions – and, we’re just getting started,” said Chris McCarthy, President/CEO, Showtime & MTV Entertainment Studios. “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.”
‘Yellowstone’ Ending With Season 5
On May 5, Paramount Network released a statement regarding Yellowstone coming to an end with season 5, while also announcing a sequel series. “Yellowstone has been the cornerstone on which we have launched an entire universe of global hits – from 1883 to Tulsa King, and I am confident our Yellowstone sequel will be another big hit, thanks to the brilliant creative mind of Taylor Sheridan and our incredible casts who bring these shows to life,” Chris McCarthy, President & CEO Showtime/MTV Entertainment Studios, said in a statement.
David Glasser, CEO of 101 Studios, also said: “The Dutton story continues, picking up where Yellowstone leaves off in another epic tale. We are thrilled to bring this new journey to audiences around the world.” David’s statement hints that we could see other members of the Duttons in the sequel series, which will premiere on Paramount Network and Paramount+ in December 2023.
Days before the announcement, Entertainment Tonight reported that Kevin, who recently wrapped up a nasty divorce battle, would not be returning to Yellowstone as John Dutton after season 5. Back in April 2023, multiple sources told The New York Post that Yellowstone was likely to end with season 5. “Hopefully Kevin [Costner] will return for the remaining episodes if everyone works together, but it looks like Yellowstone will end after this season.” The outlet also claimed that there’s “friction” between Kevin and showrunner Taylor Sheridan. Deadline previously reported that Taylor, Paramount Global, and Paramount Network are “moving to end” the show in its “current form.”
There were rumors of the show’s cancellation because of alleged “disagreements over shooting schedules” with Kevin who plays Dutton family patriarch John Dutton. Sources told the outlet that the Oscar winner only “wanted to shoot for 50 days for the first part of the current season,” down 15 days from the 65 days he originally set for himself. In regards to filming the second part of season 5, Kevin reportedly “only wanted to spend a week shooting.”
According to the outlet, the issue has become a “source of frustration” for Taylor and is “causing morale problems” amongst the other cast members. Paramount Network reportedly turned down Kevin’s latest proposal and “made the decision to move on” to another show.
Kevin’s lawyer, Marty Singer, released a statement on February 21 refuting any report that the Oscar winner is holding up the hit Paramount Network series. “The idea that Kevin was only willing to work one week on the second half of season 5 of Yellowstone is an absolute lie,” Marty told Puck.News in response to an exposé titled “Casualties of the Costner-Yellowstone Crossfire” that was published. “It’s ridiculous — and anyone suggesting it shouldn’t be believed for one second. As everyone who knows anything about Kevin is well aware, he is incredibly passionate about the show and has always gone way above and beyond to ensure its success.”
Is Matthew McConaughey Replacing Kevin Costner?
The spinoffs will be an extension of the Dutton family saga, and one of them could star Matthew McConaughey, who was “in negotiations” about joining the Yellowstone franchise. When an initial sequel series was officially announced, cast members were not named. In Deadline’s February 2023 report, the outlet said it’s “unclear” if any of the Yellowstone cast, which includes Wes Bentley, Kelly Reilly, Luke Grimes, and Cole Hauser, would move to the new series. The show reportedly blossomed out of “continued disagreements over the lessening amount of time Costner is willing to spend shooting” the flagship series.
A Paramount Network spokesperson released the following statement to Deadline: “We have no news to report. Kevin Costner is a big part of Yellowstone and we hope that’s the case for a long time to come. Thanks to the brilliant mind of Taylor Sheridan, we are always working on franchise expansions of this incredible world he has built. Matthew McConaughey is a phenomenal talent with whom we’d love to partner.”
Nothing has been officially confirmed about the spinoff, but Matthew cryptically said on Dax Shepard’s Armchair Expert podcast, “I am now becoming more interested in actually going to play another character in a TV show because the last four years of culminating and writing and getting these things together and getting more into public service. The idea of going to act in the right kind of role, in the right kind of movie, film or series right now sounds like an awesome vacation.”
The Yellowstone universe has already expanded with two critically acclaimed prequels: 1883 and 1923. The newest spinoff in the works is 1883: The Bass Reeves Story, starring David Oyelowo and Dennis Quaid. After a massive debut, 1923 has been renewed for season 2.