Yellowstone Star Hints at Bittersweet End to Season 5
Yellowstone actor Kelly Reilly teases a potentially unhappy ending to Season 5 of the acclaimed Paramount+ Western series.
Yellowstone star Kelly Reilly hints at the acclaimed Western series riding off into the sunset in bittersweet fashion as fans await the second half of its fifth and final season.
Speaking on a featurette for the Blu-ray and DVD release of Yellowstone Season 5A, Reilly believes the conclusion to the neo-Western show chronicling the Dutton family drama will elicit mixed emotions. According to Reilly, while it will be an “epic” ending, she can’t guarantee it will be happy for audiences. “Though it will probably be beautiful and epic, I’m not sure it will be happy,” she said. Regarding what fans can expect from the rest of Season 5, Reilly said, “The main theme of protecting and sustaining this way of life in this land is the bottom of everything. I don’t know which way it’s going to go but we’re in season five, and who knows what’s in store.”
Reilly’s interview for the featurette was conducted before it was officially announced Yellowstone would conclude with Season 5 and ahead of the Screen Actors Guild – American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) strike. Reilly plays Bethany “Beth” Dutton, the daughter of Montana rancher John Dutton III (Kevin Costner). She’s admitted to disagreeing with Yellowstone co-creator Taylor Sheridan about the direction of her character as she hasn’t always agreed with Beth’s choices.
After Yellowstone Season 5A wrapped up on Jan. 1, fans have been eagerly awaiting confirmation of a premiere window for Season 5B as the show nears its end. However, the above-mentioned SAG-AFTRA protest, coupled with the Writers Guild of America (WGA) strike, halted filming for the rest of Season 5, while production on the Yellowstone
While Reilly didn’t hint at why the end of Yellowstone may not be a happy one, there’s the potential it could involve the fate of Costner’s central character amid John’s fight to hold on to control of the Dutton Ranch. Costner exited Yellowstone during Season 5 due to reported conflicts with Sheridan and scheduling issues, though Sheridan has since played down the nature of their disagreements.
Though Season 5B is expected to feature six episodes, Sheridan has hinted at the rest of the final season being longer as he and co-creator John Linson figure out its direction. Once Yellowstone ends, another spinoff will follow as Matthew McConaughey’s upcoming 1944 series is in the works.
Fans can stream Yellowstone Season 5A on Peacock.
