'Yellowstone' fan favorites Beth and Rip take center stage in first-look photos of the show's long-awaited return
Emerson Miller/Paramount Network
- "Yellowstone" will be returning to the Paramount Network to wrap up season five in November.
- First-look photos show a new generation of the Dutton family taking center stage.
- Kevin Costner's character isn't expected to appear in the episodes, which may not end up being the show's last after all.
If you were among the many "Yellowstone" fans holding out hope that Kevin Costner would return to the show after all, we hate to break it to you but it's not looking likely.
In first-look photos of the second half of the hugely popular Paramount Network series, a new generation of Duttons take center stage, and Costner's aging antihero John Dutton is nowhere to be seen.
The series, co-created by Taylor Sheridan and John Linson, originally centered on Costner's character. However, following reports of a falling out between Sheridan and Costner, the actor parted ways with the production and went on to create his own critically panned Western saga.
Now, it seems that the ranch has fallen into the hands of John's only daughter, Beth Dutton (Kelly Reilly), and her fiercely loyal (and sometimes just downright fierce) husband, Rip Wheeler (Cole Hauser).
In one of the previews for season five's remaining episodes, they can be seen proudly standing outside one of the show's iconic farmhouses.
In another photo, we get a glimpse into the aftermath of Jamie Dutton's (Wes Bentley) attempt to get John impeached and removed as governor of Montana as he stands behind a podium, ready to give a speech.
Elsewhere, Thomas Rainwater (Gil Birmingham) and his right-hand man Moses (Mo Brings Plenty) haven't abandoned their plans to reclaim their ancestors' land.
The new batch "Yellowstone" episodes is set to pick things up after the show's shocking midseason finale, which aired at the beginning of 2023.
Following delays caused by the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes and a standoff with lead star Costner over his filming schedule, it is set to begin airing on Sunday, November 10.
However, while it was initially billed that this would be the "epic final cycle" of the flagship series — the show has spawned spinoffs including the Golden Globe-nominated "1923" — it has been reported that Sheridan may not be putting "Yellowstone" out to pasture after all.
Industry newsletter Puck reported earlier this year that the show was looking for a way to retain fan favorites Reilly and Hauser, and according to Deadline, negotiations are underway for a sixth season of the show headlined by the pair. (Representatives for the Reilly, Hauser, Sheridan, and the show itself did not respond to a request for comment sent by Business Insider.)
As we await further news on the future of "Yellowstone," check out the first-look photos of the return of season five below.