The finale of most beloved TV series naturally sparks some debate. Did the final episode live up to the standard of the series? Was it a satisfying end for the characters? Will there be a spinoff? Rarely, though, does the discussion about a series finale center on whether or not it was actually the series finale, but as in many things, Yellowstone has proven an exception.
The Western hit aired what would seem to be its last episode in late December, bringing the saga of the Dutton ranch to conclusion. That would, in most cases, be the end of things—after all, Paramount Network announced way back in 2023 that the show would be ending with the conclusion of season 5. However, in the long lead-up to those final episodes actually airing, rumors began to swirl that this wouldn’t really be the show’s curtain call at all; rumors further fueled by the network billing season 5B as a “return” rather than a finale as well as by comments from the stars themselves.
Now, several weeks on from the apparent finale and still without official word on the show’s status, another Yellowstone star has thrown his metaphorical cowboy hat into the ring to weigh in on the possibility of the series returning.
Forrie J. Smith, the real life cowboy who played longtime Dutton ranch hand Lloyd on the show, posted a video wishing his followers a happy new year, including some thoughts that have stoked fans hopes for more of their favorite drama. “Hey, Yellowstone addicts,” he said at the video’s conclusion, “I would stay together. Taylor Sheridan, he ain’t said it’s over.”
Yellowstone creator Taylor Sheridan, of course, has become well known to the series’ fans for his work both behind the scenes and on screen in the show, where in addition to writing all of the episodes, he also guest starred as a horse trainer in season 5B. As the mastermind behind Yellowstone and its ever-expanding universe of spinoffs and prequels, Sheridan has seemingly been the arbiter of the show’s fate for some time, with several other stars, including Luke Grimes, indicating that they would return to the series for another season if Sheridan decides to carry on. So far, though, the creator—like the network—has remained mum about the possibility of a sixth season.
Whatever the chances of a new season, there’s still more Dutton drama on the horizon. The prequel 1923 is set to return for a second season in February, and another spinoff titled The Madison is also in the works, though exactly how that show connects to the Dutton universe and when it will debut currently remains unclear.
Shortly before Yellowstone’s apparent finale, news also broke that stars Kelly Reilly and Cole Hauser had signed on for their own spinoff centered on fan favorite characters Beth and Rip, and while the actors have obliquely confirmed the new show, so far no official confirmation has been forthcoming on that point either.
