“Yellowstone” is nearing the end of its fifth season, with the finale scheduled for Dec. 15 at 8 p.m. ET on Paramount Network. But is the series ending?
The Western drama was expected to end after the fifth season concluded, but now, fans are confused because the show hasn’t been marketing itself as ending.
So, is “Yellowstone” coming to a close? Here’s what we know.
Will there be a ‘Yellowstone’ Season 6?
It’s a simple question, with a not so simple answer.
In May 2023, Paramount Network said that the fifth season of “Yellowstone” would be the last one. This came after reports of scheduling issues and contention existing between Kevin Costner and show creator Taylor Sheridan. Kevin Costner announced in June 2024 that he was not returning for Season 5, Part 2.
During a November 2024 interview with The New York Times, Kelly Reilly, who plays Beth in “Yellowstone,” confirmed that an ending for the finale had been filmed.
“We are absolutely ending this show,” she said.
However, there have been recent reports that she and her costar Cole Hauser, who plays Rip, might continue the “Yellowstone” story in a sixth season.
When asked about the rumors in a November 2024 feature for The Hollywood Reporter, which published about a week after The New York Times piece, both Reilly and Hauser said that the saga’s continuation is up to Sheridan.
“Taylor can figure out how to absolutely continue if he wants to,” Hauser told the outlet. “But that’s just Taylor being a brilliant writer. I’m not telling you that it is continuing, it’s just that he’s smart enough as a writer to do that if that’s something that he is passionate about.”
“It’s up to him,” Reilly said about Sheridan in the same interview.
“We trust him. He’s a master storyteller, and we help him tell these characters’ stories, and it’s been such a ride and so electrifying to play and so invigorating,” she continued. “I trust him. I trust him with wherever he takes her; whether we’re leaving her where we’ve left her, or we’re going to find her somewhere else, I trust him. I really could go either way right now.”
However, Reilly said that the “dealbreaker” for her is that the writing needs to come from Sheridan.
Why do people think ‘Yellowstone’ will continue?
After a teaser for the final episode of Season 5 was shared on “Yellowstone’s” social media accounts, people noticed that the clip said “season finale” at the end — not “series finale.”
Fans are speculating that more “Yellowstone” is on the horizon, with X being a landing spot for their hopes the series indeed doesn’t end.
“Special season finale? It’s supposed to be the series finale. Until next episode,” one person wrote.
“Can’t wait to see how #Yellowstone comes to a conclusion this week. Hope by the end of the finale we will learn if there is a chance for a 6th season or another spinoff featuring Dutton family members,” another person wrote.
“So the last episode is the SEASON FINALE not the SERIES FINALE. Very interesting since this is the last season of #Yellowstone. Taylor Sheridan I swear you better write a good finale,” someone else commented.
‘Yellowstone’ has spinoffs, with more potentially on the way
If “Yellowstone” does actually wrap up, fans can take heart in knowing there are spinoffs, with the show universe possibly set to expand further.