It seems that Yellowstone might not be heading to the train station after all. Industry newsletter Puck reports that the Western drama is set to return for a sixth season, contrary to earlier announcements from Paramount Network indicating that season 5B would be the final installment.
According to the report, Kelly Reilly and Cole Hauser, who portray Beth Dutton and Rip Wheeler, respectively, are on the verge of finalizing deals to return for the upcoming season.
This news comes as a surprise to Yellowstone fans who had prepared to bid farewell after the premiere of season 5B in November.
This final batch of episodes was expected to air without Kevin Costner, who has played John Dutton since the show’s debut in 2018.
After early 2023 rumors about Costner’s departure, Paramount confirmed in May that the series would conclude with the second half of season 5. (The first half aired in January 2023.)
The production of season 5B faced delays due to the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes, but Paramount confirmed in June that new episodes would start airing on November 10.
Amid the anticipation for the Dutton family’s return, other Yellowstone developments have emerged.
Reports initially suggested that a sequel series starring Matthew McConaughey, possibly titled 2024, would continue the Yellowstone legacy.
This has now seemingly evolved into The Madison, which will feature Michelle Pfeiffer and Matthew Fox and focus on a New York family relocating to Montana.
Additionally, there were discussions about Reilly, Hauser, and Luke Grimes potentially leading their own spinoff, with further speculation about them reprising their roles on The Madison.
Paramount has also announced a spinoff centered on the Four Sixes ranch and another prequel series titled 1944, though updates on these projects have been limited.
Throughout these developments, the cast has remained reserved about the franchise’s future. Reilly, 47, advised fans in March not to “believe everything” they read.
She told, “I just care about finishing [the OG series] with as much care and as much passion and as much love as I can muster to put into it. I’m sort of prepping for that now, [and] that’s my tunnel-vision thing that I care about most.”
As for Costner, he has confirmed his departure from the show. Despite speculation about tension between him and co-creator Taylor Sheridan, Costner has stated that his focus is on his four-part film series, Horizon: An American Saga.
In a June Instagram video, the 69-year-old actor shared, “After this long year and a half of working on Horizon and doing all of the things that’s required, and thinking about Yellowstone, that beloved series that I love and I know you love, I just realized that I’m not going to be able to continue season 5B or into the future.
I won’t be returning. I love the relationship we’ve been able to develop, and I’ll see you at the movies.” Yellowstone season 5B premieres on Paramount Network on Sunday, November 10, at 8 PM ET.
