Fans of Yellowstone have been buzzing with excitement and speculation about the future of the series. Recent interviews with Kelly Reilly (Beth Dutton) and Cole Hauser (Rip Wheeler) have hinted that Season 5 is not the end for Yellowstone. Hauser even mentioned that preparations for Season 6 are underway, which has only fueled more anticipation.

Although the second part of Season 5 hasn’t begun filming yet, both Hauser and Reilly confirmed that Yellowstone’s story is far from over, and creator Taylor Sheridan is already working on the next chapter.

But what does this mean for the Dutton family? And is Kevin Costner really leaving Yellowstone? Let’s break down everything we know so far.

**The Script Delays and Costner’s Future**

Rumors first started swirling in January, suggesting that Kevin Costner was ready to film the second half of Season 5 but was waiting on scripts from Taylor Sheridan.

Sheridan, busy with multiple Yellowstone spin-offs and prequels, reportedly struggled to deliver scripts on time. This has caused concern among fans, as Costner’s portrayal of John Dutton has been central to the show since its debut in 2018.

Meanwhile, Costner himself has been busy directing his own project, “Horizon,” and working on an eight-part docuseries called “Kevin Costner: The West.”

This has led to speculation that both Sheridan and Costner’s packed schedules could affect Yellowstone’s future.

**Rumors and Official Statements**

In February, rumors spread that Costner wanted to reduce his shooting days for the second half of Season 5 from 60 days to just one week. Costner’s attorney quickly denied these claims, insisting that Costner remains passionate about Yellowstone and is committed to its success.

Paramount Network also released a statement reaffirming Costner’s importance to the series and praised Sheridan’s creative vision, hinting at possible expansions to the Yellowstone universe.

Interestingly, Paramount also expressed interest in working with Matthew McConaughey, fueling speculation about new cast members or spin-offs.

**Spin-Offs and a Growing Universe**

Chris McCarthy, CEO of Paramount Media Networks, confirmed in March that a new Yellowstone spin-off is in development, regardless of Costner’s involvement.

The Yellowstone universe is already expanding, with prequels like “1883” and “1923,” and the upcoming “Four Sixes” series set on a historic Texas ranch. Sheridan is also developing more prequels, including stories set in the 1940s and 1960s, and “1883:

The Bass Reeves Story.”

Paramount has also announced a modern-day sequel series, with some Yellowstone cast members expected to return and Matthew McConaughey in talks to join. Unlike the original Yellowstone, which streams on Peacock, this new series will be available on Paramount+.

**The End of Yellowstone?**

Despite all the rumors about Season 6, Paramount officially announced in May 2023 that Yellowstone will end with the second half of Season 5. Filming was scheduled to begin in August 2023, with the series finale set for November 2023. There has been no confirmation whether Kevin Costner will appear in the final episodes, leaving fans anxious about John Dutton’s fate.

While there won’t be a Season 6, the Yellowstone universe is far from over. With several spin-offs and a sequel series on the way, fans can look forward to more stories from the world Taylor Sheridan has created—even if the original saga is coming to a close.