After years of success and becoming the most successful US drama series, Yellowstone is suddenly coming to an end. We explain the crisis, the dispute with Kevin Costner and how it will continue anyway
Yellowstone is the hit series par excellence in the USA. For five seasons, the modern western series by Taylor Sheridan (Sicario) has been telling the story of the Dutton family, who defend their eponymous ranch and their piece of land against anyone who tries to take it from them. Under the leadership of patriarch John Dutton (Kevin Costner), his children Beth (Kelly Reilly), Kayce (Luke Grimes) and Jamie (Wes Bentley) also become embroiled in intrigue and criminal machinations.
In the following, we explain why the successful American series has now suddenly been canceled, how this came about and why this does not mean the end of the series universe.
An American series success: The Yellowstone Empire
Even if many in Germany have still not heard of the series onParamount+*: Yellowstone is extremely popular in the United States. AsPenn Livereported, season 4 earned it the status of themost successful fictional series in the USA with 12.1 million viewers. The morally ambivalent characters and the strongmixture of suspense, nefariousness and beautiful natural scenerystruck a chord with the audience.
(Yellowstone)
The original series has already spawned several spin-offs in the form of prequels. Further projects are being planned to expand the Yellowstone universe. Here you can find an overview of all current and planned series:
These series were part of the Yellowstone series universe:
- Yellowstone: Mother series about the Dutton family and their ranch called Yellowstone in Montana – series start 2018, currently in season 5.
- 1883: Prehistory of the Dutton family, who join a settler trek in search of a new home in America – completed miniseries 2021-22.
- 1923: Yellowstone prequel to the Dutton ancestors in the 20th century around landowner Jacob (Harrison Ford) – series start 2022, season 2 is planned.
- Lawmen: Bass Reeves: originally a spin-off to 1883, now a more independent story about the first black US Marshall – series start November 2023, further anthology seasons on other lawmen are possible.
- Yellowstone: 6666: Spin-off about the “Four Sixes” ranch in Texas, which specializes in horses and was introduced in season 4 of Yellowstone – series start 2024.
- 1944: the spin-off that follows 1923 and continues the Dutton family story during World War II – series start unknown.
- 2024: Sequel series set directly after the 5th season of Yellowstone, probably withMatthew McConaugheyas the lead actor – series start expected in November 2024.
Fight with Kevin Costner: How did the sudden cancellation of Yellowstone come about?
After making inroads into the US series landscape, Yellowstone and its numerous spin-offs seemed untouchable. The news that reached us in May 2023 was therefore unexpected bad news for many: apparently Kevin Costner had left and Yellowstone had been terminated after season 5 .
(Yellowstone)
At the time of theYellowstone cancellationpart 1 of season 5 had already run for 8 episodes in the USA and had paused the (as usual split) season on a cliffhanger. Part 2 was in preparation, but whether the series’ biggest star would be seen again in the final 6 episodes was questionable. Because behind the scenes there had been a dispute between Kevin Costner and series creator Taylor Sheridan
This dispute was not least related to Kevin Costner’s new multi-partfilm projectHorizon, which is to be released as an11-hour American western sagain summer 2024. In order to be able to devote himself to this mammoth directing project, Kevin Costner asked Yellowstone for less shooting timenamely 50 days instead of 65 in season 5a and then only 7 days in season 5b. He didn’t see why the filming, which had otherwise only filled his schedule once a year, should now take place twice a year (and thus interfere with his filming of Horizon)
In September 2023the star himself spoke out for the first timeabout the chaos behind the scenes. In the divorce proceedings with his wife Christine Baumgartner (including high alimony payments for their three children), Kevin Costner spoke about “scheduling difficulties”and“creative problems “during the Yellowstone production. He had“tried to break the deadlock “, but his negotiating partners had“simply walked away “
(Yellowstone)
Details of these negotiating difficultiesalso leaked out shortly afterwards from Taylor Sheridan’s opposite number: Apparently, along with his shortened shooting days, Kevin Costner also demandedmore salary and more say in the script, including veto power In particular, the required script review is said to have been the straw that broke the camel’s back for the busy Yellowstone boss, who is solely responsible for the scripts of the hit series. According to several reports, Sheridan then made the decision to kill off Kevin Costner’s character John Dutton in part 2 of season 5. The manner of death was probably already stipulated in earlier contracts and can no longer be contested.
What’s next for Yellowstone?
Costner claims to want to sue now because Yellowstone still owes him a $24 million fee, but since, according toDeadlinehe was paid for the full 5th season (only half of which has been shot so far), this claim apparently refers to the 6th and 7th seasons, which will now no longer be made.
(Yellowstone, Beth and Rip may switch to the 2024 series)
At the same time as the season 5 cancellation, the Yellowstone universe has also announced thesequel series called 2024which is set for the first time after the end of Yellowstone (Surviving) characters from the ended parent series will then be able to cross over into the sequel, which, according toComic Bookis aiming for a November 2024 launch.
Matthew McConaugheyis rumored to replaceKevin Costner in the Yellowstone series in 2024 With the probable death of family patriarch John Dutton, McConaughey will probably be freshly introduced to the Yellowstone universe and replace the old main character as the new drawcard. It is not yet known what role he will play in the new series. Perhaps a lost member of the Dutton family will be conjured out of the cowboy hat by then?
In the current times of Hollywood’s actors’ strikes, however, the series mills are still at a standstill, so negotiations about shoots and recasts must first wait for an agreement with the union.
