Everything We Know So Far About 'Yellowstone' Season 5 Part 2

Not too long ago, audiences were saddled up and looking forward to a wild ride in season 5 part 2 of Yellowstone, the Paramount Network cultural phenomenon with record-breaking viewership and multiple spinoffs, including 1883 and 1923. But now that the mid-season break has stretched out for the entirety of 2023 and counting, you might be wondering what gives.

Well, hang on to your cowboy hats. We’ve got you covered with the latest news about when Yellowstone season 5 part 2 will return. This is also the place for cast news, including the latest about Kevin Costner. And if you need a refresher on what's happened so far in season 5, we've got episode recaps (see our Dutton family tree for help straightening out who's who).

Is Yellowstone season 5 part 2 out yet?

Not yet, and fans still have a while to wait. Paramount has confirmed that Yellowstone season 5 part 2 will return November 2024, though a specific release date is pending. This means that by the time the final episodes of Yellowstone's last season air, audiences will have been waiting nearly two years since the midseason finale aired in January 2023.

The release date for the season's second half had already been pushed once due to production delays (it was originally promised for summer 2023, then moved to November 2023). Paramount attributed the second delay to the actors' and writers' strikes, stating "Originally slated to premiere later this year, Yellowstone production schedules shifted due to the dual strikes."

Paramount also confirmed two new planned Yellowstone spinoffs, 1944 and 2024. Variety reports that production on the final episodes of the original series will begin in late spring 2024.

How many episodes are in Yellowstone season 5 part 2?

Originally, Yellowstone season 5 part 2 was slated to be 6 episodes, for a total of 14 episodes in the whole season. In its announcement pushing the return of part 2 to November 2024, Paramount did not reveal any changes to this original plan. However, in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Yellowstone creator Taylor Sheridan said, "If I think it takes 10 episodes to wrap it up, they’ll give me 10. It’ll be as long as it needs to be."

Is Kevin Costner coming back to Yellowstone season 5 part 2?

There's no official word on whether Costner will return for the second half of Yellowstone season 5. Early in 2023, it was reported that the actor was poised to exit the series, though Paramount at the time said there was "no news to report." Later, in May 2023, Paramount announced that Yellowstone would end after season 5, making the question of his return for season 6 moot. But as for the remaining episodes of season 5, Screenrant reported in November that Hollywood insider Matt Belloni, host of The Town podcast, said, "My understanding is that, as of now, he (Costner) is not going to be in those episodes." Still, Paramount has not confirmed the news.

What we do know is what Costner is working now. His passion project Horizon: An American Saga is an epic four-part Western film series that he's finally bringing to the big screen after over three decades of dreaming about the idea. Recently, he revealed that he decided to leave Yellowstone after learning that season 5 would be filmed in two parts, causing scheduling conflicts with the production of Horizon. However, his comments seem to pertain to negotiations for the now-canceled season six.

Who's in the cast of Yellowstone season 5?

Here's a reminder of who appeared in Yellowstone season 5, part 1. (There have been no official announcements about cast changes for the second half of the season.)

All the fan favorites returned for Yellowstone season 5 part 1, including stars Kevin Costner (who picked up a Golden Globe for his performance on the series in 2023), Luke Grimes, Kelly Reilly, Wes Bentley, Cole Hauser, Kelsey Asbille, Brecken Merrill, Jefferson White, Forrie Smith, Denim Richards, Ian Bohen, Finn Little, and Gil Birmingham.

Also on the list: On-screen ranch hands Ryan Bingham and Hassie Harrison, who caused a stir in April when they went Instagram official as a couple in real life. Two other cast members—Jen Landon (seasons three and four) and Kathryn Kelly (season four)—also returned with their status upgraded to series regulars.

Country singer Lainey Wilson joined the cast in season 5. Some of her songs also appear on the Yellowstone soundtrack from seasons 2 and 3. In May 2023, when discussing her possible return to the show for season 5 part 2, Lainey told Country Living she's just "waiting for Taylor Sheridan to give me the green light and between tour and everything we'll figure it out."

You know who's not in season 5 part 2? Matthew McConaughey.

What's happened in Yellowstone season 5 so far?

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Yellowstone season 5 started on November 13, 2022. When the season trailer dropped that September, it was shocking to say the least. The footage began with John Dutton being sworn in as governor of Montana and got more intense from there. If you're ready to catch up on season 5, dive into out episode recaps below, colorful fan reactions included. If you'd rather watch than read, check out our guide to how to watch and stream Yellowstone.

Yellowstone Season 5 Part 1 Episode Recaps

Episodes 1 and 2: John takes office. Kayce and Monica experience a tragic loss. Beth makes a heartbreaking apology to Rip. A fatal conflict with protected wolves emerges. Fans are "devastated." Read on.

Episode 3: Kayce chooses his family. Beth meets her match… and lands in jail. Read on.

Episode 4: Beth’s infinite hatred for Jamie only increases (yes, it's possible) on a car ride home from jail. John forms an unexpected alliance with Rainwater. Read on.

Episode 5: Another family dinner goes horribly awry. Beth gets in another brawl (and fans nearly revolt). John calls Kayce his "only" son. Read on.

Episode 6: Rip shows his romantic side. John gives a friend a heartfelt send off. Political tensions rise. Read on.

Episode 7: We revisit Rip's dark past. Beth shows us her softer side—and her business side with a trip to the 6666 ranch. A plot emerges to impeach John (you know Jamie's involved), and Mother Nature stirs up trouble in the pasture. Read on.

Episode 8 (Mid-Season Finale): Kayce takes the reins at Dutton Ranch. Meanwhile, Jimmy fits right in with the 6666 crew. Jamie doubles down on being John's nemesis, and Beth finds out what the "train station" really is. Read on.

Katie Bowlby

Katie Bowlby is Digital Director at Country Living, where she covers gift guides, product reviews, crafts, and TV shows like Yellowstone. She’s currently stitching up a cross-stitch pattern for the magazine’s next issue 

Terri Robertson

Terri Robertson is the Senior Editor, Digital, at Country Living, where she shares her lifelong love of homes, gardens, down-home cooking, and antiques.