Yellowstone, the modern-day Western series that has captured the hearts of viewers worldwide, is at a crossroads. With the much-anticipated season 5 finale behind us and rumors swirling about a potential season 6, let's delve deep into what this means for the Dutton family and the future of the show.

"The End of an Era or a New Beginning for Yellowstone?"

What happened in the Yellowstone season 5 finale?

The season 5 finale of Yellowstone was a rollercoaster of emotions and events. Kayce (Luke Grimes), in a desperate bid to save the Yellowstone Ranch, made a controversial decision. He sold the land to the Broken Rock Reservation for a mere $1.25 per acre, the same price it was worth when his ancestors took it from Native Americans. But he had two crucial conditions - to keep his family on the East Camp and to ensure that Yellowstone would never be developed or sold. Rainwater (Gil Birmingham) agreed, and they sealed the deal with a blood oath.After John's funeral, Beth (Kelly Reilly) said a heartfelt goodbye to her father. She promised to avenge him, stating, "We won. Breaks my heart that I had to lose you to do it. Gonna let you rest now, Daddy." This moment was a turning point, setting the stage for the intense confrontation that followed.Beth then raced to Jamie's house and got into a physical altercation with him. Just when it seemed like Jamie might strangle her to death, Rip (Cole Hauser) arrived and saved her. In a fit of rage, Beth plunged a knife into Jamie's heart and Rip disposed of the body at the "train station." The series ended with Kayce and his son Tate (Brecken Merrill) buying cattle for their land, while Beth and Rip settled down at their new home in Dillon, Mont.

Is Yellowstone officially ending with season 5?

Leading up to the season 5 finale, there were mixed reports about the show's future. Paramount Network had initially announced that Yellowstone would end with its fifth installment, and there were plans for a Dutton-centric sequel. However, rumors persisted that the show might continue.Reilly, in a November 2024 interview with The New York Times, confirmed that the show was indeed ending. She said, "We are absolutely ending this show." This statement added to the uncertainty surrounding the future of Yellowstone.

What has the Yellowstone cast said about the show ending?

The cast of Yellowstone was deeply saddened by the end of the series. Grimes, in a September 2024 interview with Entertainment Weekly, expressed his satisfaction with the ending. He said, "I couldn't be happier. I think it's a perfect ending for the show for every character. It's just a testament to what a good writer Taylor [Sheridan] is, and it's a very, very profound, beautiful ending."Reilly, in a November 2024 interview with PEOPLE, shared her thoughts on filming the final season. She said, "Certainly for me, and I really felt this with a lot of the cast members of wanting to lay it all out there this year. It was like, 'Let's just give it your whole heart and give these characters and the show the ending that they deserve.'"Bentley, in a June 2023 interview with The Hollywood Reporter, admitted that he would miss playing Jamie but was looking forward to moving on. He said, "It will always be there as one of the hardest things I've ever accomplished, or tried to accomplish, bringing out all the facets and nuances of this complicated character. So I will miss it, but I will also celebrate it being over."

When will Yellowstone season 5 part 2 be on Peacock?

Every season of Yellowstone is available to stream on Peacock, including the first eight episodes of season 5. The final six episodes of season 5 will eventually make their way to the platform. Based on past patterns, fans can expect to wait approximately six months after the series finale to see it on Peacock.If you don't want to wait, you can purchase Yellowstone season 5 part 2 (including the series finale) on Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV+.

Will there be a season 6 of Yellowstone?

The future of a sixth season of Yellowstone is uncertain. In August 2024, rumors suggested that Reilly and Hauser were in negotiations to headline a potential season 6. However, by the end of the year, on Dec. 11, it was announced that Reilly and Hauser had signed deals to lead a spinoff series instead. This spinoff will be the first in the Sheridan TV universe to carry Yellowstone in the title.Hauser, in a December 2024 interview with PEOPLE, remained tight-lipped about his character's future. He said, "We will see what happens over the next year or so and we'll see what's next. Hopefully, we can continue to get in people's living rooms and entertain them the way we have over the last seven years."As we look back on the incredible journey of Yellowstone, we can't help but wonder what the future holds for this beloved series. Will it truly end with season 5, or will there be more adventures to come? Only time will tell.