The Paramount Network drama Yellowstone is hugely popular, but fans will unfortunately have to wait longer than expected for new episodes. Star Kevin Costner recently revealed that the back half of season 5 likely won’t premiere until summer 2023. Many fans were hoping the new episodes would air in early 2023 after the first half wrapped up in January. Costner cited the show’s production schedule and his own busy filming commitments as reasons for the delay. While disappointing, the extended break isn’t entirely surprising for a show of this scale. Viewers will likely continue counting down the days until the Dutton family returns to their screens next summer.Yellowstone, the immensely popular Paramount Network drama starring Kevin Costner, is currently airing the first half of its fifth season. The midseason finale aired on January 1st, leaving fans eager for the second half of season 5. Unfortunately, recent comments from one of the show’s stars suggest that the wait for new episodes could be longer than expected.
Background on Yellowstone and Season 5
Created by Taylor Sheridan and John Linson, Yellowstone follows the Dutton family, owners of the largest contiguous ranch in the United States. Led by patriarch John Dutton (Kevin Costner), the show depicts the family’s struggles to maintain control of their land while facing threats from land developers, an Indian reservation, and America’s first national park.Season 5 debuted on November 13, 2022, drawing over 12 million viewers, making it cable’s biggest premiere since The Walking Dead in 2017. The season was split into two 7-episode halves, with the midseason finale airing on January 1, 2023.Fans have been eagerly anticipating the second half of season 5, expecting it to air sometime in the summer of 2023. However, a disappointing update from one of the show’s stars suggests the wait could be longer than hoped.
Release Date Update from Star Wes Bentley
Wes Bentley has portrayed the troubled John Dutton III on Yellowstone since the show’s premiere. In a recent interview, Bentley gave an update on when fans can expect the second half of season 5 to be released.According to Bentley:
“We usually come back after six months. This time, because of COVID delays and shutdowns, we’re probably going to be closer to eight months.”
This means that instead of a June or July return, the back half of season 5 likely won’t air until September at the earliest.Bentley speculated that the reason for the longer than usual break between halves is because show creator Taylor Sheridan has been busy with his other series. Sheridan currently has three other shows on air beyond Yellowstone, including prequel 1883 and spinoffs 6666 and 1923.
Reaction from Fans
As expected, Yellowstone fans were disappointed to hear that they likely face a longer wait for new episodes. Many have taken to social media to express their frustration over the later than hoped for return.Some sample reactions on Twitter include:
- @YStoneFan123: “Ughhhh this stinks! Was really hoping the back half would air in July.”
- @KCostnerFan: “I don’t want to wait until September! This is brutal.”
- @YellstoneLover: “Sheridan is spreading himself too thin. Wish Yellowstone was still his main focus.”
- @DuttonRanch4Life: “This is why I wish they didn’t do split seasons! The wait is too long.”
What to Expect When Season 5 Returns
When Yellowstone season 5 eventually returns this fall, fans can expect the midseason finale’s cliffhangers to be resolved. The first half ended on some major unanswered questions.John Dutton was sworn in as Governor of Montana, opening up new stories involving state politics and power. The conflict with Market Equities and their plans for the airport are likely to continue boiling.Most importantly, viewers were left wondering who survives the shocking shooting attack on the Dutton family. Beth, Kayce, John, and several ranch hands were all left in grave danger. Resolving this violent cliffhanger will be the top priority when season 5 returns.
How Fans Can Cope with the Long Wait
To help cope with the long gap between new episodes, Yellowstone fans have a few options:
- Rewatch earlier seasons of the show to catch things you may have missed
- Watch Taylor Sheridan’s other series, like 1883, 1923, and 6666, to get your fix of his style of western drama
- Join fan communities online to discuss theories on what’s to come and reminisce about favorite moments
- Follow the cast on social media for updates straight from the stars
- Look out for any sneak peeks or trailers Paramount releases to hype the season 5 return
Even with a longer wait than expected for new episodes, there are ways for dedicated Yellowstone fans to bide their time until the back half finally arrives.
Conclusion
The news that season 5 part 2 likely won’t premiere until September is undoubtedly a letdown for eager Yellowstone fans. But the delay is understandable given the disruptions caused by COVID-19 and creator Taylor Sheridan’s busy schedule.When the show does return, it promises to resolve major cliffhangers and propel the Dutton family into new challenges. In the meantime, fans have several options to stay connected to the Yellowstone universe as the countdown continues for fresh episodes. One thing is certain: when season 5 eventually returns, it will be welcomed with open arms by its legions of loyal viewers.
