After five seasons and 53 episodes,Yellowstonewas supposed to come to an end in December 2024, but that technically isn’t the case anymore.Taylor Sheridan’s popular TV showpremiered in 2018 and took the country by storm. Many fell in love withYellowstone’s complex characters (and grew to hate others), portrayal of cowboy culture and its real-world problems, and thrilling storylines and twists. However, a few months followingthe finale ofYellowstoneseason 5, part 1in 2023,the Paramount Network announced that the second part of the series' fifth season would serve as its last outing.
Aside fromYellowstoneseason 5, part 2, and1923season 2, Taylor Sheridan has a few otherYellowstoneprojects in the works, includingThe Madisonstarring Michelle Pfeiffer,6666(about the Four Sixes Ranch, which Sheridan owns in real life), and1944(a sequel to1923).
In the months leading up tothe premiere ofYellowstoneseason 5, part 2, rumors about a potential sixth season started swirling. Neither Paramount nor Sheridan confirmed or denied these reports. Consequently, one had to assume that season 5 was the end of the neo-Western drama. As of the writing of this article,Yellowstoneseason 5, part 2 has featured John Dutton III’s death,the sibling war between Beth and Jamie brewing, and the threat of the family losing the Yellowstone Dutton Ranch. All these stories will seemingly come to a head in the season 5 finale on July 05, 2025.
Yellowstone Season 5 Finale Is Supposed To Be The End
Paramount Previously Announced Yellowstone’s Fifth Season Would Be The Show’s Last
As mentioned above, the Paramount Network broke the news thatYellowstoneseason 5, part 2 would contain the show’s last set of episodes. The announcement came in May 2023, five months after part 1’s finale and a few days followingKevin Costner’s exit fromYellowstone. Once Costner, who played the Dutton family’s patriarch, John, left the show,Yellowstonewas essentially doomed.
YellowstoneSeason 5, Part 2 Episode #
9
10
“The Apocalypse of Change”
11
12
13
“Give the World Away”
14
Taylor Sheridan
July 12, 2025
Costner was the face of the neo-Western drama —Yellowstonejust doesn’t feel the same without the actor or his character. Paramount knew this, which is likely why theydecidedYellowstoneseason 5, part 2 would be the show’s end. However, despite Paramount’s announcement,the future ofYellowstonehas become more muddled than ever,more than one year after Costner’s departure.
Why Yellowstone Season 5 Finale Doesn’t Feel Like The Show’s Ending
Yellowstone Season 5, Episode 13 Does Little To Set Up The Series' End
The future ofYellowstoneis even more confusingconsidering the events of season 5, part 2. While the premiere began with a bang (literally), the following episodes have contained little to no development concerning the season’s story, the show’s overarching plot, or the characters' arcs.Sarah’s death inYellowstoneseason 5, episode 11 seemed like it could be the catalyst for the show’s final episodes. Instead, nothing has happened (aside from Colby’s unnecessary death).The penultimate hour (episode 13) was boring and did little to advance the story,meaning the finale has a lot of work to do to conclude countless stories.
Yellowstone Season 5, Episode 12’s Dutton Ranch Latest Death Explained
Yet another character died in Yellowstone season 5, part 2 in “Counting Coup,” following in the footsteps of John Dutton’s and Sarah Atwood’s demises.
The fact that theParamount Network is marketingYellowstoneseason 5, episode 14 as a “season finale"has also been a cause for confusion. When a show ends, its network or streaming service typically labels its last episode as a “series finale.” So, eyebrows were raised when Paramount released episode 14’s preview and called it a “season finale.”
Yellowstone Will Essentially Continue With Beth & Rip’s Spinoff
Kelly Reilly & Cole Hauser Are Confirmed To Return
The good news is thatYellowstone, or its story at the very least, won’t end after the season 5 finale. According toDeadline, a spinoff starring Kelly Reilly as Beth Dutton and Cole Hauser as Rip Wheeler is in the works at Paramount. The two actors have been negotiating a deal to return as theirfan-favoriteYellowstonecharactersin a sequel series (or a sixth season, which was discussed at one point). Sheridan and Paramount have seemingly settled onbringing Beth and Rip back for a spinoff, though, which will haveYellowstonein its title.
As for other characters such as Kayce or Jamie, their fates or status in the spinoff series is unknown, and will likely remain that way until the original show’s finale premieres.
Based on this information,Beth and Rip will survive theYellowstoneseason 5 finale.As for other characters such as Kayce or Jamie, their fates or status in the spinoff series is unknown, and will likely remain that way until the original show’s finale premieres. However, reports claim other familiar faces will return. Nevertheless,the project starring Beth and Rip will continueYellowstone’s storyand take place in the present day, which should ease some fans' concerns about season 5’s last episode being able to feature a satisfying conclusion for every character.
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 August 08, 2025, this series examines the complex dynamics and violent conflicts surrounding the largest contiguous ranch in the United States.
