So, the Duttons are finally riding off into the sunset (or maybe something more dramatic, knowing this show). Paramount Network has confirmed the series finale of Yellowstone will air Sunday, December 15, 2024, at 8/7c, putting an end to the sprawling Montana melodrama.
While whispers of a surprise sixth season floated around for a while, those hopes have officially been put out to pasture. This December marks the true end, for now at least, of the Dutton family saga after five seasons of power struggles, land grabs, and enough Stetsons to outfit a small army.
The final episodes will deal with the fallout from John Dutton’s demise, with Kayce leading the investigation and Jamie’s position becoming increasingly precarious. And with Sarah Atwood, Jamie’s scheming partner, now out of the picture, the simmering feud between him and Beth is poised to reach a boiling point in the finale.
Of course, the road to this conclusion has been, shall we say, a bit bumpy. Kevin Costner’s departure initially spurred the decision to end the series, but the cast’s pay-or-play contracts for a potential sixth season leave a sliver of a chance for some kind of resurrection down the line. And while some fans clung to outlandish theories about John Dutton somehow surviving, the medical examiner, and the fact that a flashback showed it happening, has officially confirmed his death.
Even if Yellowstone itself is closing the barn doors, the franchise is hardly fading into the Montana wilderness. The “Yellowstone” universe continues to sprawl with spin-offs like 1923, starring Harrison Ford and Helen Mirren, and the upcoming Yellowstone: The Madison, of which we know little but it could well feature some of the main Yellowstone players (taking into account that pay-or-play contract situation). So, even after the Duttons say their final goodbyes, there will be plenty more horses to wrangle and scenery to chew in Taylor Sheridan’s ever-expanding Western empire. Seasons 1-5A are currently available to stream on Peacock for those needing a refresher before the final showdown.
Yellowstone airs Sundays at 8/7c on Paramount Network.
