Everything you need to know about the return and final episodes of Yellowstone
By Teal Stoll
What in the world happened to Yellowstone?
Fans have waited for nearly two years for the latter half of Season 5 of the hit television series, Yellowstone. With the on-screen feud between the Dutton siblings reaching a boiling point, off-screen, the show was halted by strikes in Hollywood. The delay in production also caused other issues that will impact how Season 5 moves forward.
Due to contention with lead actor Kevin Costner, it was determined that Season 5 would wrap up one of the most popular shows of the decade. There are rumors that a sixth season may not be out of the question, but this is yet to be confimed. The last formal announcement from Paramount in 2023 stated that the show would end with Season 5.
Fans are eager to see how writer Taylor Sheridan will handle the exclusion of Costner's character, John Dutton, from the storyline. Costner confirmed earlier this summer that he will not return for the show through a video on social media. But don't dismay - other fan favorite characters remain, including Mo Brings Plenty, Lainey Wilson, Ryan Bingham, and of course Kelly Reilly, Wes Bentley, and Cole Hauser.
Catching up on the drama
Whether you're a die hard fan or haven't seen a single episode, it would be an ideal time to binge watch the first seasons. Most importantly, you might want to remember where Season 5 left off and what we're headed back into next week. The soap opera-esque western romance can't really be placed into any one box for viewers, who tend to be from all age groups and all walks of life. Haven't tried it yet? There's no time like the present!
If you're really in the mood to binge the journey and building of the entire Dutton empire, check out the prequels, 1883 and 1923 on Paramount Plus. 1883 stars Faith Hill and Tim McGraw and details the family's initial wagon train journey to Montana. 1923 focuses on another generation of Duttons, now on the Yellowstone Ranch and faced with a new set of problems.
When and where to watch
Now to the good stuff. Season 5, Part 2 will resume on air on November 10, 2024. Paramount Network will have the initial showing on cable and just hours later, CBS will air the episode. The show has done spectacularly on CBS previously, so it's no surprise to see a return to the network.
The Paramount Network on cable is one place to find the show, but rest assured if you've cut ties with your cable provider. Now you may be thinking, Parmount Network, Paramount Plus. I'll watch it there. Alas, no. While Paramount Plus has all of the Yellowstone spin-off series available, it does not have Yellowstone.
SlingTV, Philo, and YouTube Live are all viable options for those without cable, but the show is geared towards cable viewers so you will want to look for a live tv streaming service.
Peacock is the streaming home of the first 4.5 seasons, but it is unlikely that the new episodes will be available there immediately. As always, dedicated fans can purchase individual episodes or entire season on Amazon Prime.