Summary
The worst possible way to endYellowstoneis the best route to set up its future without Kevin Costner’s John Dutton III. After five seasons, Taylor Sheridan’s neo-Western flagship series will wrap up. Despite an extended hiatus due to the ongoing drama between the franchise creator and Costner,Yellowstoneseason 5, part 2is already confirmed for a November 2024 rollout, with the remaining cast and crew working on it in the last few months. However, wrapping the main show isn’t the end of the modern-set branch of its storytelling. Sheridan already has a couple of spinoffs on the way.
Sheridan has long started building theYellowstoneuniversewith a string of prequels tracing the Duttons' ranch history. This time, however, he is working to expand the franchise with a few contemporary series. Recently, the Michelle Pfeiffer-led offshoot calledThe Madisongot some substantial updates. There’s also the previously in-development 6666 series. Finally, there’s adirect sequel that’s supposed to feature Kayce, Rip, and Beth. Among the group, this is the most dependent on how Yellowstone ends, simply because it will feature characters who are not just in play for so long but also have strong ties to Costner’s patriarch.
Why Kevin Costner Left Yellowstone
For anyone wondering why it took Kevin Costner so long to address the Yellowstone rumors, Screen Rant has the scoop.
Yellowstone Ending On A Cliffhanger Is A Cop Out (But Helps Launch The Sequel)
Kevin Costner’s John Dutton III Needs A Proper Ending In Yellowstone
There have been so many theories as tohowYellowstonemight end. Costner’s non-involvement presents an additional challenge on top of an already daunting task. Sheridan also has to explain what happened to the Dutton patriarch, and considering how beloved the ranch is to him, he needs a solid explanation for his sudden absence. One of the worst ways that the writer can cap offYellowstoneis to leave it with a major cliffhanger. Sheridan absolutely cannot leave John’s fate up in the air even with the sequel coming. It should be the end of Costner’s story in the universe.
Granted that Sheridan still needs a solid story to sustain the follow-up moving forward, having people tune in on the Yellowstone sequel when it launches increases its chances of succeeding.
On the flip side, however,endingYellowstonewith a massive cliffhanger is the most effective way to launch its sequel. It gives viewers a clear reason to come back and check back on the new show, even though it may only feature a few characters from the main show’s ensemble. Granted that Sheridan still needs a solid story to sustain the follow-up moving forward, having people tune in on theYellowstonesequel when it launches increases its chances of succeeding. That’s especially the case if Sheridan saves the resolution to John’s fate in it.
How Yellowstone Can End Satisfyingly Without Killing Its Sequel Chances
The Yellowstone Finale Needs To Set Up Beth, Rip, and Kayce’s Future
As his brainchild,no one knows theYellowstonefranchise better than Sheridan. Because of that, there’s confidence that he will be able to figure out how to approach this storytelling dilemma. The key here is to give John’s story a definitive ending while also leaving questions about the future of his family and the ranch in limbo. PerhapsYellowstoneseason 5, part 2 can reveal what happened to the Dutton patriarch but save the fallout of his fate in the sequel. This can effectively launch Kayce, Rip, and Beth’s future without John, and maybe even Jamie.
Yellowstone
Cast
Yellowstone follows the Dutton family, led by patriarch John Dutton, as they defend their expansive ranch against external threats from land developers, an Indian reservation, and America’s first national park. Released on August 22, 2025, this series examines the complex dynamics and violent conflicts surrounding the largest contiguous ranch in the United States.
