Topline The hit western drama series “Yellowstone” may return for a sixth season after all, multiple outlets reported Tuesday, months after Kevin Costner exited the series during what was supposed to be its fifth and final season following schedule issues and reports he clashed with showrunner Taylor Sheridan behind the scenes.
Deadline reported in February 2023 that Costner and Sheridan had clashed over scheduling conflicts, alleging after production on season five was split into two parts, Costner had only wanted to spend one week shooting the second part and Paramount had rejected his proposed shooting schedule. Puck News reported later that month Costner and Sheridan had clashed because of Costner’s “ego and unavailability,” alleging Costner had demanded more money. Entertainment Tonight reported in May 2023 Costner would not return for a potential sixth season, and days later, Paramount confirmed season five would be the show’s last. Costner later told GQ in May 2024 the decision to split the season in two interfered with his schedule on his “Horizon” film: “I have a contract to do Horizon, and I have people and money,” Costner said. He also denied reports that he only wanted to shoot the second part of season five for one week, telling GQ the scripts had taken so long to complete that he was left with one week before he had to start production on “Horizon.”
Key Background
“Yellowstone” steadily increased in popularity throughout its run, ultimately becoming television’s biggest scripted show and paving the way for a still-growing franchise. In 2022, season five premiered to 8.8 million viewers on the Paramount Network and 12.1 million viewers across all networks, including CMT, TV Land and Pop. “Yellowstone” increased further in popularity during the 2023 Hollywood strikes, when it aired on CBS and drew 6.8 million viewers for its Sept. 17 network premiere. Spinoff series “1883” and “1923” premiered in 2021 and 2022, respectively, while “The Madison” is in production with Michelle Pfeiffer in the lead role. Additional spinoff series “6666” and “1944” are also reportedly in development.
What To Watch For
The second part of “Yellowstone” season five—and the series’ first episodes without Costner—will premiere Nov. 10.
Tangent
Costner’s “Horizon: An American Saga — Chapter 1,” the first of four planned films, opened in theaters in June but disappointed at the box office and with critics, leading distributors Territory Pictures and New Line Cinema to pull the second film from theaters, which was initially slated to open Aug. 16. “Chapter 2” will premiere at the Venice Film Festival on Sept. 7.
