Yellowstone officially concluded with Season 5 which aired its final episodes in December 2024. The series will not return for a Season 6 as the main storyline of the Dutton family has come to an end. The Yellowstone universe is far from over. It continues to expand with several new spinoffs and prequels that will keep fans engaged with fresh stories and characters.
One of the most anticipated projects is The Dutton Ranch (previously known as the Beth & Rip spinoff), set to premiere in fall 2025 on Paramount+. This series will follow Beth and Rip as they raise Carter and manage a sprawling 7,000-acre ranch. Big-name actors Ed Harris and Annette Bening have joined the cast adding to the excitement. Another spinoff, Y: Marshals, is set for spring 2026 and will follow Kayce Dutton (played by Luke Grimes) as he transitions from ranch life to becoming a U.S. Marshal in Montana. Familiar characters like Thomas Rainwater and Tate will also make a return.
The Yellowstone world is also expanding with The Madison, a contemporary drama starring Michelle Pfeiffer. It follows a New York family, the McIntoshes who relocate to Montana in search of a new beginning. Filming wrapped in late 2024 and the show is expected to debut sometime in 2025. For fans of the Duttons history, the prequel 1944 is in development, picking up the family’s story during World War II and continuing from where the previous prequel, 1923, left off. The spinoff 6666 will take viewers to the iconic Four Sixes Ranch in Texas exploring cowboy life and the ranching legacy that has long defined the American West. Though still in development it promises to offer a fresh take within the broader Yellowstone universe.
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Yellowstone Season 6 Release Date: Latest Updates
There will be no traditional Season 6 of Yellowstone, as the original series officially came to an end with Season 5 which wrapped up in December 2024. This season served as the final chapter in the Dutton family’s main storyline, especially following Kevin Costner’s departure from the show. Despite earlier speculation and fan hopes for a continuation, creators have confirmed that the main Yellowstone series is concluded and will not return for another season.
The Yellowstone universe is far from over. Instead of continuing the original storyline, several spin-offs and prequels have been announced and are currently in production or development. These include The Dutton Ranch focusing on Beth and Rip’s life after the events of Yellowstone, set to premiere in fall 2025. Another spin-off, Y: Marshals, will follow Kayce Dutton’s journey as a U.S. Marshal, and is scheduled for release in spring 2026. Other upcoming projects include The Madison, a modern-day family drama, and two prequels 1944, set during World War II, and 6666, which explores cowboy life on the legendary Four Sixes Ranch in Texas.
Will There Be a Season 6?
There are currently no official plans for Yellowstone Season 6. The story concludes with Season 5 Part B, marking the end of the original series. Attention has now shifted to the new spin-offs and sequel series that showrunner Taylor Sheridan is actively developing.
- Official status: Paramount has confirmed that Season 5 is the final season. There is no release date for a Season 6, as it is not in the works.
- Final episodes: The second half of Season 5 began airing in November 2024 and concluded on December 15, 2024.
- No renewal: Creator Taylor Sheridan has not announced any plans to continue the main series beyond its current ending.
What the End of Season 5B Signals for the Yellowstone Universe
The main story has ended, but the Yellowstone universe continues to expand. Several new shows are in development, bringing back familiar faces while introducing new characters and settings.
- New spin-offs: Upcoming series will feature popular characters like Rip Wheeler and Beth Dutton in leading roles.
- Fresh storylines: The focus may shift away from the original Yellowstone Dutton Ranch, exploring new ranches and locations.
- Bigger universe: Key characters such as Kayce Dutton and Thomas Rainwater are expected to return and take on larger roles in future storylines.
Returning Cast Members in Final Episodes
Season 5B features a powerful cast, even though there won’t be a Season 6. Many of these characters are expected to appear in upcoming Yellowstone spin-offs.
- Luke Grimes: Returns as Kayce Dutton, playing a major role in the family’s final decisions.
- Kelly Reilly: As Beth Dutton, she delivers a dramatic conclusion to her long-running feud with Jamie.
- Cole Hauser: Rip Wheeler remains fiercely loyal to the Duttons through the final moments.
- Wes Bentley: Jamie Dutton faces life-changing consequences that shape the future of the ranch.
Is Yellowstone Based on a True Story?
No, Yellowstone is not based on a true story. The show is a work of fiction created by Taylor Sheridan and John Linson though it draws heavy inspiration from real-life elements of ranching, Western culture, and land conflicts in the American West. The Dutton family, their massive Yellowstone Ranch and the political drama surrounding it are all fictional. However, the show’s realistic portrayal of ranch life, Native American issues, and modern land development struggles reflects actual challenges faced in states like Montana, Wyoming, and Texas.
Who Ends Up With the Ranch on Yellowstone?
As of the end of Yellowstone Season 5B, which concluded in December 2024, the show provides a dramatic but somewhat open-ended resolution to the question of who ultimately controls the Yellowstone Dutton Ranch.
- John Dutton (Kevin Costner), who served as the patriarch and governor, is no longer in control due to his exit from the series before the final episodes. His legacy, however, heavily influences the outcome.
- Beth Dutton (Kelly Reilly) and Rip Wheeler (Cole Hauser) remain deeply loyal to the family and the ranch. In the final episodes, they are seen moving to manage a different property in Texas, suggesting they may no longer directly control the Yellowstone Ranch.
- Kayce Dutton (Luke Grimes) plays a central role in the Duttons’ final decisions. While not explicitly stated, many fans believe Kayce becomes the de facto steward of the Yellowstone Ranch, continuing the family’s legacy in Montana.
- Jamie Dutton (Wes Bentley) faces severe consequences for his betrayal and does not end up with the ranch.
Conclusion
Yellowstone has officially concluded with Season 5 and there are no plans for a traditional Season 6. The Dutton family’s main storyline has reached its end wrapping up years of intense drama, power struggles and family loyalty. While fans may be disappointed that the core series won’t continue the Yellowstone universe is far from over. With several spin-offs and prequels already announced such as The Dutton Ranch, Y: Marshals, and 1944 the legacy of the Duttons will live on through new characters, expanded storylines, and fresh settings. So, while Season 6 isn’t happening, the world Taylor Sheridan created will continue to grow and evolve in exciting new ways.
