Filming is scheduled to resume in May for the smash-hit Paramount Network drama.
OK, let’s have a quick show of hands: How many of you out there would be surprised to hear Yellowstone will be back for a fifth season? Someone? Anyone? Bueller?
Well, never mind: We’re happy to share the good news anyway. Paramount Network announced Thursday morning that the smash hit drama from MTV Entertainment Studios and 101 Studios — recently nominated for Screen Actors Guild and Producers Guild of America awards — is slated to begin production on Season 5 in May, for airing later in 2022.
According to Paramount, principle cast members Kevin Costner (John Dutton), Luke Grimes (Kayce Dutton), Kelly Reilly (Beth Dutton), Wes Bentley (Jamie Dutton), Cole Hauser (Rip Wheeler), Kelsey Asbille (Monica Dutton), Brecken Merrill (Tate Dutton), Jefferson White (Jimmy Hurdstrom), Forrie Smith (Lloyd Pierce), Denim Richards (Colby Mayfield), Ian Bohen (Ryan), Finn Little (Carter), Ryan Bingham (Walker) and Gil Birmingham (Thomas Rainwater) will all be back in the saddle, with guest stars Jennifer Landon (as Teeter, the feisty ranch hand from Texas) and Kathryn Kelly (as Emily, the 6666 Ranch veterinarian who won Jimmy’s heart) upgraded to series regular status.
(Color us slightly surprised: At the end of Season 4, we thought Jimmy and Emily were riding off into the sunset, or at least off to another Yellowstone series spin-off. Not that we’re sorry to see them return, you understand, but maybe series co-creator and executive producer Taylor Sheridan has other plans for them.)
Yellowstone smashed audience records during Season 4, with the season premiere attracting over 14 million total viewers, and the finale corralling over 15 million total viewers.
But those numbers appear likely to increase during Season 5, as the series — along with its prequel spinoff, 1883, now available on Paramount+ — continues to draw newcomers to the Dutton Family saga.
“Yellowstone’s record-breaking performance proves we’ve tapped a cultural nerve and unleashed a passionate audience from the center of the country to each of the coasts,” says Chris McCarthy, President and CEO of ViacomCBS Media Networks. “Kevin Costner leads our incredible cast, who make the Duttons America’s favorite family. And this new season is sure to be another one fans won’t want to miss.”
Executive producer David C. Glaser of 101 Studios agreed: “We are honored to be able to bring audiences another season of Yellowstone. The continued growth in viewership and the recent recognition from the guilds bolsters our commitment to continue to bring groundbreaking entertainment to audiences.”
And who knows? Maybe in Season 5, we’ll finally learn what happened to the child of that poor woman who got caught in the crossfire during the Season 3 finale.