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The drama surrounding Yellowstone has intensified both on-screen and in the lives of its cast and crew. With the ongoing speculation about the show’s future, many fans are left questioning: is Yellowstone season 6 on the horizon? This highly acclaimed series continues to capture the hearts of millions, yet there are concerns regarding its cancellation. Following the premiere of season 5 part 2, which featured the shocking demise of a major character, Hollywood Life is dedicated to providing the latest insights and developments concerning the show’s future, including details about the potential Matthew McConaughey spinoff series that fans are buzzing about.

Important: This article contains spoilers for Yellowstone season 5 part 2.

What Are the Chances of Yellowstone Season 6 Being Greenlit?

As of now, Paramount Network has yet to officially declare the fate of Yellowstone beyond its current fifth season. Recently, Paramount’s president and CEO Chris McCarthy emphasized in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter that the show owes its incredible success to Kevin Costner’s portrayal of John Dutton. He expressed hopes that Costner would continue to be a part of the series for years to come. Despite the show’s immense popularity and critical acclaim, as of November 2024, the confirmation of Yellowstone season 6 remains elusive.

Is Yellowstone Reaching Its Conclusion with Season 5?

In February 2023, Deadline reported that the creator of Yellowstone, Taylor Sheridan, along with executives from Paramount Global and Paramount Network, were contemplating ending the flagship series with its fifth season. The speculation surrounding this decision is largely attributed to reported disagreements with Kevin Costner regarding shooting schedules, which have raised concerns about the future of the show.

The Academy Award-winning actor initially committed to 65 days of filming for Yellowstone but later proposed to reduce his availability to just 50 days in the first part of season 5 and only a week for the second part. This drastic reduction in shooting days has reportedly led to significant morale issues among the show’s cast and crew. In light of these challenges, Paramount Network opted to continue with alternative projects, indicating a shift in focus away from the original series.

A spokesperson for Paramount Network stated, “We have no updates to share at this time. Kevin Costner is a significant part of Yellowstone, and we hope to continue having him on board for the foreseeable future. Thanks to the creative genius of Taylor Sheridan, we are constantly exploring new franchise opportunities within the incredible world he has created. We are excited about the prospect of collaborating with the talented Matthew McConaughey,” the spokesperson shared with Deadline.

Soon after, Kevin Costner’s attorney, Marty Singer, refuted claims that the actor was hindering the production of Yellowstone season 5. “The assertion that Kevin was only willing to work one week on the second half of season 5 is completely false,” Marty stated in response to a Puck.News article titled “Casualties of the Costner-Yellowstone Crossfire.” He further emphasized that anyone suggesting otherwise should not be taken seriously, as Kevin has consistently demonstrated his commitment to the show and its success.

The uncertainty surrounding the future of Yellowstone became more pronounced when key cast members were absent from the show’s PaleyFest event on April 1. The original lineup included Taylor, executive producer David Glassner, and main actors including Kevin Costner, Kelly Reilly, Cole Hauser, Luke Grimes, Wes Bentley, Kelsey Asbille, Gil Birmingham, and Jacki Weaver. The reported reason for their absence was “scheduling conflicts,” as indicated by Variety. While it was announced that Yellowstone season 5 would resume in the summer, filming has yet to commence, and no start date has been disclosed.

However, recent reports suggest that Kelly Reilly (Beth Dutton) and Cole Hauser (Rip Wheeler) have successfully negotiated contracts to reprise their roles in a forthcoming Yellowstone spinoff series, as first announced by Deadline.

What Role Will Matthew McConaughey Play in the Yellowstone Franchise?

Matthew McConaughey is not anticipated to join the original Yellowstone series. Following reports of the show concluding with season 5, Deadline revealed that a new spinoff led by the Academy Award winner is in development. At this point, it remains unclear which cast members from Yellowstone will transition to the McConaughey-led series, but several major stars are expected to be involved.

Taylor Sheridan, along with Paramount Global and Paramount Network, is reportedly strategizing a potential franchise expansion to continue the Dutton saga with Matthew McConaughey. In March 2023, Paramount’s president and CEO Chris McCarthy confirmed to The Hollywood Reporter that the planned spinoff would proceed regardless of Kevin Costner’s involvement in the original series.

Key Events Leading Up to the Finale of Yellowstone Season 5

The first half of Yellowstone season 5 laid the groundwork for an action-packed second half. Jamie took a daring step against John by initiating impeachment proceedings against him as the governor of Montana. Meanwhile, Beth confronted Jamie regarding his betrayal and threatened to reveal that he was responsible for their father’s death. Jamie quickly retorted, warning Beth that her threats could lead to mutual destruction, as a century’s worth of family secrets were at stake, metaphorically hidden at the “train station.”

The conflict between Jamie and Beth escalated into an all-out war. Beth swiftly informed John about the “train station” and disclosed Jamie’s intentions to leverage this knowledge against him. “He will use everything that he knows to destroy you. He’s made it clear,” Beth warned her father.

Feeling the weight of their family’s tumultuous history, Beth urged John to take decisive action against Jamie. As they devised their strategy, Jamie and his new partner Sarah were plotting to either kill Beth or harm someone close to her, intensifying the stakes for the Dutton family.

Simultaneously, Monica and Kayce made the decision to return to the ranch to support John in his governance duties. Rip and the bunkhouse crew also headed south with the mission of safeguarding the ranch’s cattle herd, emphasizing the ever-present challenges they face.

Part 2 of Yellowstone premiered on November 10, 2024, delivering a shocking twist with the death of a pivotal character — John Dutton (played by Costner). In a dramatic scene, Beth returns home to find police outside and is confronted with the reality of her father’s murder, having been shot. While the scene does not show John’s face, the impact of his death is palpable as Beth and Kayce grieve, with Beth asserting, “It was Jamie.”