‘Yellowstone’: Paramount+ Announces Series To End With Season 5, As Spin-Off Confirmed
Yesterday we got news that Kevin Costner would be leaving ‘Yellowstone‘ after five seasons. Paramount+ has now confirmed that Season 5 will actually be the final season of the drama, however, the franchise will live on.
‘Yellowstone’ chronicles the Dutton family, led by John Dutton (Kevin Costner), who controls the largest contiguous cattle ranch in the United States. Amid shifting alliances, unsolved murders, open wounds, and hard-earned respect – the ranch is in constant conflict with those it borders – an expanding town, an Indian reservation, and vicious business rivalries.
The series has seen nearly as much drama behind the scenes as it has on camera. Back in February, it was reported that lead actor Kevin Costner has been upset over the shooting schedule for the series, putting him at odds with the franchise’s creator and showrunner, Taylor Sheridan. Costner has allegedly said he only wants to shoot for one week on the second half of season five, which consists of six episodes (compared to the 50 days scheduled on the 8 episodes of Season 5, part 1). Cosner’s attorneys, however, called the reports “an absolute lie”, saying the actor is “incredibly passionate about the show…”
The second half of season five was originally scheduled to premiere in the Summer, but will all the things happening off-camera, the premiere date is now pencilled in for November to air those final episodes. We say “pencilled in” as there is also a writer’s strike in the USA at the moment, which could impact production. The episodes are due to shoot in August, but it is unclear – firstly, whether Sheridan, who is the creator, writer, and showrunner of the series, has completed the scripts; And secondly, whether Costner has actually agreed to return. If he has not completed them, or if they need altering to accommodate a Costner-less finale, that could be a problem if the writer’s strike is still ongoing.
Whilst this is the end for the mothership show, the ‘Yellowstone’ franchise will continue, as Paramount+ has already given a straight-to-series order for a follow-on series, which is expected to take a number of the current cast and transplant them into the new iteration. Matthew McConaughey is currently in negotiations to lead that series but has not yet officially signed up. The spin-off is due to air in December 2023, but again, that will also depend on where Sheridan is with the scripts, and the situation with the writer’s strike.
“Yellowstone has been the cornerstone on which we have launched an entire universe of global hits – from 1883 to Tulsa King, and I am confident our Yellowstone sequel will be another big hit, thanks to the brilliant creative mind of Taylor Sheridan and our incredible casts who bring these shows to life,” said Chris McCarthy, President & CEO Showtime/MTV Entertainment Studios.
In essence, the spin-off will be a direct continuation of the mothership series by the sounds of it. “The Dutton story continues, picking up where Yellowstone leaves off in another epic tale, said David Glasser, CEO, 101 Studios, who produce the drama alongside MTV Entertainment Studios. “We are thrilled to bring this new journey to audiences around the world.”
In addition to the new spin-off, there are also a number of other spin-offs incoming set in the ‘Yellowstone’ world. Those include a second season of ‘1923’ starring Helen Mirren and Harrison Ford, and the ‘Lawmen: Bass Reeves’ series starring David Oyelowo and Dennis Quaid.
‘Yellowstone’ is co-created by Oscar-nominated screenwriter Taylor Sheridan (‘Wind River’, ‘Hell or High Water’, ‘Sicario’) and John Linson. Executive producers include John Linson, Art Linson, Taylor Sheridan, Kevin Costner, David C. Glasser, Bob Yari, Stephen Kay and Christina Voros.
‘Yellowstone‘ Season 5, Part 2 is currently scheduled to air on Paramount+ in the UK, and Paramount Network in the USA in November 2023 (although that may move). If you want to keep track of this or any other show, you can add them via our Never Miss system, and you’ll be notified when it gets a UK premiere date.
