Cole Hauser and Kelly Reilly reportedly are in negotiations to headline a continuation of the popular series.
And just when we thought Yellowstone would be riding off into the sunset, Kelly Reilly and Cole Hauser may have headed cancellation off at the pass.
According to Deadline and other reliable online sources, the actors who have made indelible impressions on viewers as the mercurial Beth Dutton and the formidable Rip Wheeler currently are in negotiations to headline a sixth season of the Taylor Sheridan-produced drama.
For the last several months, we’ve been led to believe that the long-awaited “final cycle” of Season 5 Yellowstone episodes — slated to kick off Nov. 10 on Paramount Network — would conclude with a series finale. But maybe Sheridan, as is he is wont to do, had a change of heart.
Perhaps we should have started suspecting something when the teaser trailer for what’s been unofficially dubbed Season 5B started appearing on YouTube. If you notice, there’s an announcement of a “return” — not a grand finale.
To repeat: We are not talking about a spinoff from Yellowstone, like 1883, 1923 and the forthcoming The Madison. This would be a new season for the mothership itself. With, presumably, other series regulars besides Hauser and Reilly also along for the ride.
In any event, Kevin Costner is not expected to return as John Dutton, owner of the humongous Yellowstone cattle ranch in Montana, for either Season 5B or a possible Season 6. He has made it very clear that the show appears only in his rear-view mirror these days as he proceeds with other projects, like his multi-part Western epic Horizon: An American Saga. (Chapter 2 of that franchise, originally set to open theatrically on Aug. 2, now will have its world premiere at the Venice Film Festival next month.) There’s no word yet on how John Dutton, last seen as governor of Montana, will be written out of the show.
But, hey, maybe he won’t have to be. After all, people sometimes change their minds, right? And even if his character is killed off — well, as Yellowstone has repeatedly demonstrated during its run up until now, there are such things as flashbacks.
Watch this space for further devopments.
