“Yellowstone” aired its Season 5 finale on December 15, and the ending had fans buzzing as one of its main characters is killed off. But the question remains, is the series ending?

The Yellowstone franchise is set to continue one way or another, but fans have no idea if the flagship show will be continued, or if the universe’s main characters, such as Beth and Rip, will only show up in future spin-offs.

Those who have followed Yellowstone for the past few years have likely been nothing but confused in regards to the future of the show.

Initially, Yellowstone was going to last for seven seasons, but behind-the-scenes drama between series lead Kevin Costner and series creator and writer Taylor Sheridan forced the latter to rework the entire plan.

Season 5 just wrapped up on Paramount Network in an episode that felt a lot like a series finale even if it wasn’t marketed that way. The Western drama was expected to end after the fifth season concluded, but now, fans are confused because the show hasn’t been marketing itself as ending.

So, is “Yellowstone” over? Here’s what we know.

Will there be Yellowstone Season 6?

As Yellowstone Season 5, Part 2 approached, the biggest question many fans had was if it would be the final season of the biggest Western project in recent memory. According to a report in Today, in May 2023, Paramount Network said that the fifth season of “Yellowstone” would be the last one.
This came after reports that scheduling issues and contention existed between Kevin Costner and the show’s creator, Taylor Sheridan. Kevin Costner announced in June 2024 that he was not returning to “Yellowstone” ahead of the premiere of Season 5, Part 2.

During a November 2024 interview with The New York Times, Kelly Reilly, who plays Beth in “Yellowstone,” confirmed that an ending for the finale had been filmed.

“We are absolutely ending this show,” she said.

However, there have been reports that she and her costar Cole Hauser, who plays Rip, might continue their “Yellowstone” journeys in a sixth season.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, the two “Yellowstone” stars weighed in on whether their characters’ stories could continue after Season 5 in light of reports around a potential sixth season.

“Taylor can figure out how to absolutely continue if he wants to,” Hauser told the outlet. “But that’s just Taylor being a brilliant writer. I’m not telling you that it is continuing, it’s just that he’s smart enough as a writer to do that if that’s something that he is passionate about.”

“It’s up to him,” Reilly said about Sheridan in the same interview.

“We trust him. He’s a master storyteller, and we help him tell these characters’ stories, and it’s been such a ride and so electrifying to play and so invigorating,” she continued. “I trust him. I trust him with wherever he takes her; whether we’re leaving her where we’ve left her, or we’re going to find her somewhere else, I trust him. I really could go either way right now.”

On Dec. 15, ahead of the Season 5 finale, Reilly she took to Instagram reflect on being in the series and share her thoughts on the ending.

“Whatever the future holds this is the ending of the show we have been making for the past 7 years,” she penned.

Why people think Yellowstone will continue?

After a teaser for the final episode of Season 5 was shared on “Yellowstone’s” social media accounts, people noticed that the clip said “season finale” at the end — not “series finale.”
Fans are speculating that more “Yellowstone” is on the horizon, with X being a landing spot for their hopes the series indeed doesn’t end.

“Special season finale? It’s supposed to be the series finale. Until next episode,” one person wrote.

“Can’t wait to see how #Yellowstone comes to a conclusion this week. Hope by the end of the finale we will learn if there is a chance for a 6th season or another spinoff featuring Dutton family members,” another person wrote.

“So the last episode is the SEASON FINALE not the SERIES FINALE. Very interesting since this is the last season of #Yellowstone. Taylor Sheridan I swear you better write a good finale,” someone else commented.

If “Yellowstone” does actually wrap up, fans can take heart in knowing there are spinoffs, with the show universe possibly set to expand further.

Prequel shows “1883” and “1923” have each had one season. Another spinoff, “The Madison,” starring Michelle Pfeiffer, is expected to premiere in 2025. “6666” and another prequel series, “1944,” have been rumored to be in the works, while another spinoff revolving around “Yellowstone” characters Beth and Rip is also reportedly being discussed.