Whether with or without its star, the Kevin Costner series Yellowstone is heading for the season 5 finale with part 2. Everything you need to know about the start, shooting, cast and latest developments of the western hit can be found here.
After five seasons, the hype surrounding the successful US series Yellowstone has finally reached Germany, thanks in no small part to its release on Netflix. There are many reasons to be excited about Yellowstone. Anyone who has seen all the episodes is now eagerly awaiting season 5 part 2. In preparation for this, we summarize all the news about the shooting, the cast (with or without Kevin Costner), the crisis and much more. Here you will find:
Start date
Plot
Images & Trailer
The Kevin Costner crisis explained
Cast
The Yellowstone series universe at a glance – and where can you stream what?
Interesting and funny Yellowstone facts
The mid-season finale of season 5 (episode 8) was aired in January 2023 in the USA. This year should finally see the long-delayed second part of the season. After the sudden Yellowstone cancellation, the (probably) upcoming 6 episodes of season 5 (it continues with episode 9) should also be the last of the series hit. However, this is now in doubt again.
After the series delays in the Costner dispute and in the wake of the Hollywood strike, it was uncertain for a long time whether Yellowstone would be able to make its late 2024 debut. Filming did not begin until May. However, the official U.S. launch was announced on November 10, 2024. The series returns with a double bill to kick things off. With 6 episodes, that means the last episode of Yellowstone is expected to air on December 8, 2024.
Now season 6 for Yellowstone after all?
It had become increasingly apparent that Rip, Beth and co. might return in a sequel series after their salaries were raised. However, it was not in the spin-off The Madison (formerly titled 2024), as assumed, but apparently in a potential sixth season of Yellowstone.
But posts from stars saying goodbye to the series forever after filming has wrapped are causing confusion. Beth actress Kelly Reilly provided some clarity about season 6: “Yellowstone as we know it is ending,” another chapter (aka season 6) is being considered, but is far from certain.
What is known about the plot of Yellowstone Season 5 Part 2
Yellowstone follows the lives of the Dutton family on their eponymous ranch, where they repeatedly have to fight for ownership of their land. At the same time, the question arises as to who can inherit from the family patriarch John (Kevin Costner). The first episodes of the fifth season ended with Jamie Dutton (Wes Bentley) declaring war on his sister Beth (Kelly Reilly) and his father within the family. Many fans now suspect that there will be deaths in the season finale. But who will survive?
The Yellowstone ending is kept secret. So far, the only thing that is known is that Josh Lucas will return in his role as young John Dutton. At the same time, it seems inevitable that the Yellowstone crisis will have a negative impact on the finale. Nevertheless, a star teased the drastic ending by warning the audience to have handkerchiefs ready and to send the children away.
The first images of season 5b of Yellowstone already clarified the family fronts a bit more clearly:
At the end of August 2024, the first short teaser trailer for the Yellowstone return provided insights into the new episodes of season 5:
In October, a longer trailer for the Yellowstone finale will also get you in the mood for the return, looking back at the five previous seasons and promising a showdown with many deaths:
The series crisis: Is Kevin Costner returning for the Yellowstone finale?
The behind-the-scenes drama that has been raging for months in Yellowstone has mainly taken place between series creator Taylor Sheridan and leading actor Kevin Costner: Costner wanted time to shoot his own heart project, the multi-part Western epic Horizon, for the cinema and demanded fewer shooting days, more pay and greater creative influence in Yellowstone. Coordinating the shooting of both projects proved difficult.
Sheridan bitterly rejected the demands and his scripts were not finished in time. As a result, Kevin Costner was fired from Yellowstone, the end of the series was declared after season 5, and a new sequel series with Matthew McConaughey was quickly planned (who, as the new star, was not quite in the clear and later left). Threats of legal action by Costner and Sheridan followed. In addition, three other Yellowstone stars demanded more pay.
Later, Kevin Costner showed willingness to return to Yellowstone, although after the long dispute, even a conciliatory cameo was questionable. In the end, it was not his decision, even though he issued ultimatums and denounced a lack of support. In June 2024, the star himself announced: Kevin Costner will not return to Yellowstone. Costner’s offer to kill John Dutton at least properly came too late.
How the series will resolve Kevin Costner’s absence is not yet known, although the first poster may contain a hidden farewell clue in the form of gravestones. It will probably be one of the year’s biggest series character losses. At least one star with script insights has promised the “best series finale ever.” Kelly Reilly also revealed that Kevin Costner’s loss was planned from the outset.
