With or without its star: The Kevin Costner series Yellowstone is heading towards its finale with part 2 of season 5. Everything you need to know about the start, filming, cast and the latest developments in the Western hit can be found here
After five seasons, the hype surrounding the successful US series Yellowstone has also reached Germany, not least thanks to its release on Netflix. There are many reasons to get excited about Yellowstone. Anyone who has seen all the episodes should now be eagerly awaiting season 5 part 2, the big series finale. In preparation for this, we summarize all the news about filming, the cast (with or without Kevin Costner), the crisis and much more
No season 6: When does Yellowstone start the finale with season 5 part 2?
The midseason finale of the fifth season of Yellowstone (episode 8) was broadcast in the USA in January 2023. This year, the long-delayed second part of the season will finally follow. However, following the sudden cancellation of Yellowstone, the next 6 to 10 episodes of season 5 (continuing with episode 9) will also be the last of the hit series
(Yellowstone: the Dutton family)
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 meet its finale at the end of 2024. Filming only began in May. However, the official US start was finally announced in November 2024. Whether the second part of season 5 will then come to Germany at the same time as Paramount+ has not yet been determined
What is known about the plot of Yellowstone season 5 part 2
Yellowstone follows the lives of the Dutton family on their titular ranch, where they have to fight for ownership of their land time and again. At the same time, the question arises as to who can succeed the family patriarch John (Kevin Costner). The first episodes of season 5 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 series finale. But who will survive?
The Yellowstone ending is keeping its plot under wraps. All that is known so far 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, one star teased the drastic finale with an audience warning to have tissues ready and send the kids away.
The series crisis: Will Kevin Costner return for the Yellowstone finale?
The Yellowstone drama that has been raging behind the scenes for months was mainly between series creator Taylor Sheridan and lead 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 at Yellowstone. Coordinating the shooting of the two projects proved difficult
(Yellowstone: Kevin Costner as John Dutton)
Sheridan was bitterly opposed to the demands and his scripts were not completed on time. As a result, Kevin Costner was kicked out of Yellowstone, the end of the series was declared after season 5 and a new sequel series with Matthew McConaughey was planned without further ado (although the new star is not yet a done deal). Threats of legal action from Costner and Sheridan followed. In addition, three other Yellowstone stars demanded more pay.
Kevin Costner later showed a willingness to return to Yellowstone, which was questionable after the long dispute, even with a conciliatory cameo. In the end, it was not his decision, even though he issued ultimatums and denounced a lack of support. In June 2024, the star spoke out himself: Kevin Costner is not returning to Yellowstone. It is not yet known how the series will resolve his absence. Nevertheless, at least one star with script insights promised the “best series finale ever” in advance.
But Costner’s offer to at least kill off John Dutton properly probably came too late. Currently, the chances of Kevin Costner returning in season 5b are slim.
More: Kevin Costner saved western hit Yellowstone from ending after season 1
Kevin Costner explains why he fell in love with the series Yellowstone
The cast of Yellowstone in season 5 part 2
Despite the uncertainty surrounding Kevin Costner’s Yellowstone reunion, fans can at least expect the following stars to return to the cast:
(Yellowstone cast: John, Beth, Jamie)
Kelly Reilly as Beth Dutton
Luke Grimes as Kayce Dutton
Wes Bentley as Jamie Dutton
Cole Hauser as Rip Wheeler
Kelsey Asbille as Kayce’s wife Monica Dutton
Brecken Merrill as Kayce’s son Tate Dutton
Finn Little as Beth and Rip’s adopted son Carter
Forrie J. Smith as ranch hand Lloyd Pierce
Denim Richards as ranch hand Colby
Ian Bohen as ranch hand Ryan
Jefferson White as ranch hand and rodeo rider Jimmy Hurdstrom
Gil Birmingham as tribal representative Thomas Rainwater
Josh Lucas as young John Dutton
Order of the Western future: These series are part of the Yellowstone universe
In the ranking of all Taylor Sheridan series, the Yellowstone stories are clearly in the lead. Three of the series in the Yellowstone Western universe have already been published, with three more to come:
Yellowstone (since 2018) – 47 episodes in 5 seasons so far, still unfinished
1883 (2021-22) – completed miniseries with 10 episodes
1923 (since 2022) – season 1 is complete, season 2 is being planned in Texas
2024 (tba) – the planned start of the sequel series at the end of 2024 is currently uncertain, but Rip, Beth and co. could return here, which is becoming increasingly apparent after salaries were raised
1944 (tba) – probably won’t come until after the end of 1923
Yellowstone: 6666 (tba) – was originally announced for 2024, but will probably come later
(Yellowstone spin-off 1883)
