Yellowstone fans have been waiting patiently for the next chapter of their beloved series to return, following months of behind-the-scenes drama that have dominated headlines.
Season five was set to return for a second part this past year, but negotiations surrounding leading man Kevin Costner’s return and a historic double strike in Hollywood have left the show in a state of limbo.
The series, following the Dutton family on their ranch on Yellowstone, has been an incredible hit for Paramount, and even earned Costner a Golden Globe this past year.
Despite it being the most-watched show on cable and television, it’s future is shrouded in confusion and mystery.
Here is what we know so far about the next chapter:
What’s going on? Read on for everything we know so far about season two of Yellowstone’s fifth season
WILL KEVIN COSTNER BE BACK?
It does not appear that leading man Kevin, who plays family patriarch John Dutton, will be returning for the second half of the fifth season.
Costner, who was battling over child support with his ex-wife Christine Baumgartner, said in court documents connected to the case that he had ‘concluded his work’ on the show last year, according to Us Weekly. His legal team added Costner ‘is not involved in any future episodes’.
It comes following months of reported behind-the-scenes drama and negotiations between Kevin, showrunner Taylor Sheridan, and Paramount, with the actor allegedly hoping to reduce his Yellowstone work schedule to direct the first installment of his four-part Western film series Horizon.
It had been reported earlier this year by Entertainment Tonight that season five would be Kevin’s last with Yellowstone.
While on the stand during a child support hearing in September, he revealed he decided to depart the show following a ‘long, hard-fought negotiation’ about turning season five into two parts, according to People.
He also claimed he had wanted to appear in the sixth season yet was unable to ‘help them any more. We tried to negotiate, they offered me less money than previous seasons, there were issues with the creative…’
The actor also instructed his representatives to ‘have them pay me whatever number’ before he departed the role for good. ‘We came up with a number, and they [Yellowstone] walked away,’ he added. He estimated that the figure offered was $12 million.
‘I’ve been told it’s a little disappointing that [it’s] the #1 show on TV, I’m not participating,’ he said.
PREMIERE DATE
The second half of season five has experienced several premiere date changes, but it looks like it now won’t return until 2024.
IS THIS THE LAST SEASON OF YELLOWSTONE?
Yes, Paramount has revealed that the current fifth season will the show’s last.
Next year? Following several premiere date changes, the show will return in 2024, according to Men’s Health
Departure: Leading man Kevin, who plays family patriarch John Dutton, will reportedly not be returning for the second half of the fifth season
HOW MANY MORE EPISODES?
While it is not known exactly how many episodes season five will run for, the next chapter was set to run for six episodes.
However, Sheridan has said he may write even more to properly end the show.
‘If I think it takes 10 episodes to wrap it up, they’ll give me 10,’ Sheridan previously told The Hollywood Reporter. ‘It’ll be as long as it needs to be.’
RETURNING CAST
Cast members fans can expect to see return are Luke Grimes, Kelly Reilly, Wes Bentley, Kelsey Asbille, Cole Hauser, Wendy Moniz, and Denim Richards, according to Men’s Health.
WHAT WILL THE STORYLINE FOR PART TWO LOOK LIKE?
With the first half of the season focusing on John Dutton and Jamie Dutton’s dispute, fans can expect to see more of that play out in part two.
Last year, Cole Hauser and Kelly Reilly teased some of what was in store for their newlywed characters, Rip and Beth.
‘What I like about what [Taylor Sheridan] wrote is that he slow burns this year with me and Beth,’ Cole told Entertainment Weekly. ‘In the beginning, there’s some wonderful moments between the two of us, some stuff that she’s going through in her past, that she’s having to acknowledge for the first time, and me trying to help her through that.’
‘The war feels internal this year for her,’ Reilly said. ‘[She’s] haunted by the past, afraid for the future and fighting with all she has for the present moment.’
‘Beth has always been devoted to Rip. Marriage does not change her. I think his love for her and hers for him is one of the very few things that keeps her demons at arm’s length (mostly),’ Reilly also said.
‘Marriage does not change her’: Season five looks like it will also focus on newlyweds Rip and Beth
HOW DOES MATTHEW MCCONAUGHEY PLAY INTO THIS?
Matthew McConaughey will be starring in a new Yellowstone spin-off. It follows two other successful spin-offs Sheridan has created about the show.
1883 stars Tim McGraw and Faith Hill as the original Dutton pioneers who settled in Wyoming after the tragic death of their daughter, Elsa, played by Isabel May.
1923, starring Helen Mirren and Harrison Ford, has also been renewed for a second season. It follows the Dutton family struggling with a changing landscape in the early part of the 20th century.
