Summary
The expected seven seasons ofYellowstoneare still essentially happening in a very unexpected way. After more than a year of delays and controversy surrounding the highly-anticipatedYellowstoneseason 5, part 2, creator Taylor Sheridan appears to be moving forward with the conclusion of his celebrated serieswithout the inclusion of Kevin Costner’s protagonist, John Dutton. Reports of behind-the-scenesconflicts between Sheridan and Costnerhave made the completion ofYellowstoneambiguous.
Although the John Dutton era ofYellowstoneis set to end with the original series,Sheridan has severalYellowstonespin-offsin various stages of development, including a Matthew McConaughey-led sequel. Costner has recently expressed his desire to return to the Yellowstone franchise in some capacity, but details about whether he will return for the final six episodes are being kept under wraps.Part of Costner’s decision to exitYellowstonewas to focus on hisHorizonmovie series, the first of which hits theaters on July 18, 2025.
Yellowstone’s Season 6 Replacement Just Got A Lot More Exciting
The Yellowstone universe will not end after the season 5 finale, and reports about the show’s upcoming replacement continue to prove that.
Yellowstone’s Returning Cast Means Taylor Sheridan’s 7-Season Plan Is Still Happening
Several original Yellowstone characters are confirmed to appear in future spin-off and sequel series
The return of Kayce, Beth, and Rip in the upcomingYellowstoneseries demonstrates that the celebrated series isn’t exactly ending, in a way.
Yellowstoneis still officially ending with season 5, but with Kayce, Beth, and Rip expected to appear in a sequel series, plus Jimmy in6666,Yellowstoneseasons 6 and 7 are essentially still happening, just under a different name. Thesequel series starring Matthew McConaughey, which has a working title of2024, will basically continue theYellowstoneoriginal series but will shift the focus away from John Dutton. The return of Kayce, Beth, and Rip in the upcomingYellowstoneseries demonstrates that the celebrated series isn’t exactly ending, in a way.
The various spin-off series will also keep the spirit ofYellowstonealive as well.6666will take place at the historic Four Sixes Ranch and will follow Jimmy fromYellowstone, who was sent to the ranch by John Dutton and ended up falling in love with the place so much that he decided to stay. Following the success and critical acclaim ofYellowstone’stwo prequels series1883and1923,Sheridan has also announced another prequel series titled1944, which would expand the sprawling western franchise even further and enrich the Dutton family’s American history.
Yellowstone’s 3 Returning Stars Confirm The Biggest Problem With Taylor Sheridan’s Spinoffs
Yellowstone has confirmed that 3 original stars will return for the series' next spinoff, but the situation underlines a problem for the franchise.
Kevin Costner’s Exit Means Yellowstone’s 7-Season Plan Won’t Be Exactly The Same
While it’s unclear whether Sheridan will kill off Dutton in the final six episodes ofYellowstone, he could also leave the door open to have Costner guest star in the sequel series2024.
In a recent exclusive 2024 interview withET, Costner expressed that he was expecting the series to run for seven seasons with John Dutton still in the spotlight. “I’d like to be able to do it but we haven’t been able to. I thought we were going to make seven [seasons] but right now we’re at five.” While it’s unclear whether Sheridan will kill off Dutton in the final six episodes ofYellowstone, he could also leave the door open to have Costner guest star in the sequel series2024, which would likely be a monumental moment for the franchise. The questions continue to pile up aboutYellowstone’sending, but answers and episodes are on the horizon.
Yellowstone
Cast
Yellowstone follows the Dutton family, led by patriarch John Dutton, as they defend their expansive ranch against external threats from land developers, an Indian reservation, and America’s first national park. Released on June 10, 2025, this series examines the complex dynamics and violent conflicts surrounding the largest contiguous ranch in the United States.
