The curtain isn’t closing on Yellowstone just yet.
Rumors have been swirling for quite some time that Season 5 of the hit western drama created by Taylor Sheridan wouldn’t actually mark the end of Yellowstone, and the news that we’ve all been waiting for was finally confirmed by Deadline. With only a few days before the season finale (that many believed would be the series finale), it’s being reported that Kelly Reilly and Cole Hauser will reprise their roles as Beth Dutton and Rip Wheeler for a spinoff.
Deadline made the huge announcement earlier this morning:
“The upcoming Season 5 finale of ‘Yellowstone’ will not be the end of the Dutton clan’s story. Series standouts Kelly Reilly and Cole Hauser have closed deals to lead a spinoff series, reprising their roles as Beth Dutton and Rip Wheeler, respectively, sources tell Deadline. The spinoff will likely feature other cast members from the mothership series alongside Reilly and Hauser.”
EXCLUSIVE: The upcoming Season 5 finale of 'Yellowstone' will not be the end of the Dutton clan’s story. Series standouts Kelly Reilly and Cole Hauser have closed deals to lead a spinoff series, reprising their roles as Beth Dutton and Rip Wheeler, respectively, sources tell… pic.twitter.com/RMSaY34K70
— Deadline (@DEADLINE) December 11, 2024
Exciting news, without a doubt.
Some fans are asking why Taylor Sheridan wouldn’t just continue with Yellowstone into a sixth season. After all, this new spinoff show is reportedly going to include ‘Yellowstone’ in the title, which is unlike any other spinoff that’s spawned from the original storyline. Though it seems like it should be more complicated, it apparently all comes down to streaming rights.
If you are tuned into the Yellowstone universe, you likely know that all of Taylor Sheridan’s shows (including those outside of Yellowstone) stream on Paramount+… except for Yellowstone. When the show first aired in 2017, Paramount+ didn’t exist, so a deal was agreed upon with Peacock to be the streaming partner of Yellowstone. Thus, if they were to just roll on with Yellowstone Season 6, Peacock would still be the rightful owner of the show’s streaming rights. Starting a “new show” will allow for the Yellowstone spinoff to find a streaming home on Paramount+.
Though many have been clamoring for the Yellowstone series to continue and not end with season five, it appears that the nature of these “final episodes” has some fans feeling hesitant about a Beth and Rip spinoff:
The show jumped the shark with bad writing and character arcs that are rinse & repeat.
If this is happening, I hope the showrunners do better by the audience.
— 𝙱𝙴𝙽𝙹𝙰𝙼𝙸𝙽 𝙽𝙸𝙲𝙷𝙾𝙻𝙰𝚂 (@BNicholas) December 11, 2024
Hard to make it good now count me out
— Pamela Paul (@BakiraChampion) December 11, 2024
Will it take them 3 years to film season 6?
— Jane Grey (@ladyjane63) December 11, 2024
They’re going to need a lot of new characters to kill
— The Bruiser (@DrHoosierHermit) December 11, 2024
Beth is the shittiest person on a show full of shitty people, and Rip ain’t much better now. Hard pass.
— Larry B (@LarryB87015331) December 11, 2024
It will premiere in Fall 2035, with a 6 mos delay, after contract disputes, change in story line and Sheridan putting himself in the lead role.. no thank you, I'll watch the finale but last few episodes literally has no depth or story line
— Vicki Lynn (@rickandvik2006) December 11, 2024
Hopefully Sheridan has nothing to do with it
— Dale (@dalebullrun) December 11, 2024
Some harsh words right there.
On the flip side, there are a ton of fans that are very much looking forward to seeing Kelly Reilly and Cole Hauser continue their roles into another series – even if it presumably gives them a “pass” for the final episode of the flagship TV show:
This show is GREAT! I’m glad they’re not fully closing doors.
— Victor Mkhetsane (@VictorMkhetsane) December 11, 2024
THAT would be so amazing!!
— ⛄️❄️ Vicki ❄️⛄️ (@JacksGrammi) December 11, 2024
— Greg (@GMarwing) December 11, 2024
LFG Beth Dutton!
— Seth Travis (@sethtravisusa) December 11, 2024
In the end, they’re the only two characters we are interested in seeing their story continue.
— Possibly Ron (@RonCross_67) December 11, 2024
