What the ‘Yellowstone’ Cast Has Said About the Show’s Future Amid Production Delays, Kevin Costner Drama

A final trip to Montana? Rumors about the future of Yellowstone have been swirling since the first half of season 5 wrapped up in early 2023 — and the cast has had plenty to say about it.

Speculation about the show’s possible finale began in February 2023 when Deadline reported that Paramount Network was considering ending the show after season 5 because of scheduling conflicts with Kevin Costner, who plays lead character John Dutton. The outlet claimed at the time that the network was also exploring the possibility of moving forward with a spinoff starring Matthew McConaughey in a lead role.

A rep for Paramount Network, however, denied the report, saying only that they hoped Costner, 68, remains part of the Yellowstone family “for a long time to come.” The spokesperson added: “Thanks to the brilliant mind of Taylor Sheridan, we are always working on franchise expansions of this incredible world he has built. Matthew McConaughey is a phenomenal talent with whom we’d love to partner.”

Despite that denial, rumors about the family drama’s future persisted. Later in February 2023, Puck published an exposé claiming that Costner was holding up production on the second half of season 5, which was originally set to air in summer 2023. According to the outlet, the new episodes haven’t been filmed yet and will now air starting in November 2023.

The Dances With Wolves director denied Puck’s report through his lawyer, Marty Singer, who slammed the exposé as an “absolute lie.” Paramount Network, meanwhile, added in a statement: “As we previously stated, Kevin has been a key component of the success of our Yellowstone series, and we hope that continues from here on out.”

As speculation about the show continued, cocreator Sheridan has remained tight-lipped about his plans for Yellowstone. The Wind River director has previously said that he already knows how he wants the series to end — and he’s been writing toward that finale all along.

“There’s only so much hovering one can do before the story starts to lose its locomotion; you can’t put it in neutral just because it’s successful,” the Sons of Anarchy alum told The New York Times in December 2021. “It will go as many years as it takes for me to tell the story, but you’re not going to see nine seasons of it. No way.”

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Keep scrolling to see what the cast of Yellowstone has said about the show’s future:

Kelly Reilly

After speculation about why the cast missed PaleyFest, Reilly — who plays Beth Dutton — said her absence was caused by a scheduling conflict. “I was filming in the UK at the time, and let them know in January I wouldn’t be able to attend,” the Flight actress wrote via Instagram in April 2023, responding to a fan who asked where she was. “I was sorry to hear my name was still on the list of attendees, as it is unfair to our fans. Xx.”

Mo Brings Plenty

“Some local folks asked me about [the exit rumors] and I honestly have no answers. I don’t even know what’s going on. I just stay in my own lane,” the actor, who plays Mo on the Paramount drama, exclusively told Us Weekly at PaleyFest in April 2023. “I have a great deal of respect for Kevin and who he is and what he does and everyone else. And so I just mind my own business.”

Wendy Moniz

Moniz, who portrays Lynelle Perry on Yellowstone, also spoke with Us at PaleyFest about the speculation that Costner may be ready to hang up his cowboy hat.

“I don’t know. I have no news to report about it. We’re all just, you know, finding out what everyone else is finding out as it’s going and just, I’m excited to get back to work,” she told Us in April 2023, noting they haven’t started filming but Sheridan is busy writing the scripts.

Dawn Olivieri

“I hope in my heart I get to work with him before whatever happens, happens. I don’t know what’s gonna happen,” Olivieri, who plays Sarah Atwood, told Us in April 2023 at PaleyFest. “We don’t know. But I do hope I get at least one moment to be opposite that great legend of a man.”

Kevin Costner

Through his attorney, the Oscar winner denied reports that he is responsible for delays in filming the rest of season 5. “The idea that Kevin was only willing to work one week on the second half of season 5 of Yellowstone is an absolute lie,” Singer told Puck in February 2023. “It’s ridiculous — and anyone suggesting it shouldn’t be believed for one second. As everyone who knows anything about Kevin is well aware, he is incredibly passionate about the show and has always gone way above and beyond to ensure its success.”

Wes Bentley

In February 2023, the American Horror Story alum, who plays Jamie Dutton, said that he had nothing to report about the alleged drama on set. “The news that’s come out recently about the show is, you know, it’s above my pay grade. Different people making decisions,” he told Entertainment Weekly at the time. “I know that they’re still working on … working things out with everyone, to make sure we shoot. And I’m confident we will. We always have before. I think it’s probably a bit of drama over nothing.”

Piper Perabo

The Coyote Ugly actress, who appears as John’s paramour Summer, advised fans to take speculation about the series with a grain of salt. “I mean, there’s always a lot of drama when it comes to Yellowstone,” she told Entertainment Tonight in March 2023. “Don’t believe everything you hear!”

Lainey Wilson

“You know what, I don’t know much, but I have a feeling they’re going to end it the right way, and there’s gonna be more of it,” the country singer, who plays Abby, told Entertainment Tonight in March 2023. “And I’m hoping I’m gonna be back in it!” The “Hold My Halo” artist went on to say that she hasn’t met Costner yet because they haven’t shared any scenes together, adding, “From everything I’ve heard about the man, he’s just as kind as he is talented.”

One month later, the CMA Award winner revealed that she still didn’t know when she’d be returning to film the second half of season 5. “I’m planning on getting an update today. It’s wild,” she told ET in April 2023. “Like, just tell me when, man. Yeah, I have no clue what’s going on. … I’m waiting on that phone call. I feel like I’ve learned that TV business is even crazier than the music business. And that’s the truth.”

Cole Hauser

One month before the rumors about Costner’s exit appeared online, Hauser — who plays ranch hand Rip Wheeler — claimed that Yellowstone will return for seasons 6 and 7. “I can tell you there will be [season] 6 and [there] will be a 7th, that’s all I can say,” he told Entertainment Tonight in January 2023. “That’s all I can tell you.”

Kelsey Asbille

Ahead of the season 5 premiere in November 2022, Asbille — who stars as Monica — said she believes the show won’t last must longer. “You know, they haven’t given us a number. But I think that we are nearing the end,” the Teen Wolf alum told Entertainment Tonight at the time. “We’ve got a story to tell and we don’t want to drag it on too long. We want to do a good job for y’all.”

Luke Grimes

In April 2022, the True Blood alum — who plays John’s son Kayce Dutton — hinted that Sheridan won’t keep running forever. “I know what I’ve heard firsthand from the source himself. But I also heard that before it became the biggest show on the planet, and when something becomes this big, I know there’s a lot of pressure to keep it going,” Grimes told The Hollywood Reporter at the time. “But I do know that Taylor would never let it go past its due date.”

Ian Bohen

Bohen, who plays ranch hand Ryan, said in January 2022 that he would be shocked if seasons 6 and 7 don’t happen. “We are starting season 5 and I would be completely astounded if we didn’t shoot 6,” he told TV Insider as production on season 5 began. “And I’d say that there’s a fair chance we might shoot a seventh season. Just depends on whether [Sheridan] wants to write another 10 episodes or if his story is finished at the 60th episode or not. So, that’s it. And he’s gonna sit down and go, ‘What do I want to do? Do I want to keep doing this or do I want to do something different?'”