Lainey Wilson, the country music star who made her acting debut on Yellowstone, recently shared some insights on what fans can expect from the final episodes of season 5. During her appearance on the Chicks in the Office podcast, Wilson teased that the rest of the season would be well worth the wait.
“What I’ve heard, it’s going to be a really great rest of season 5,” Wilson, 32, said. Fans of the show might remember that Wilson made her Yellowstone debut as Abby, a musician with a budding romance with Ian Bohen’s character, Ryan. Her role not only introduced her acting talents but also put her music in the spotlight.
Wilson was full of praise for Yellowstone creator Taylor Sheridan, crediting him for helping boost her music career. Sheridan, known for his knack for writing compelling Western stories, specifically created the character of Abby for Wilson after they became friends in 2018. Wilson recalls, “I just became friends with him, and I guess he thought maybe I could be an actress, I don’t know. I’ve been acting a fool my whole life, so that’s probably what it was.”
While Wilson may not have considered herself an actress at the time, she didn’t hesitate to seize the opportunity when it was presented. “I knew if it was any opportunity to share my music on a bigger platform, I 100% was like, ‘Sign me up, even though I don’t know what the hell I’m doing,’” she shared. Her willingness to embrace the unknown proved to be a smart move, as Yellowstone fans quickly took notice of her musical talents. In fact, Wilson’s music was first featured on the show in season 1, episode 2, introducing her sound to a wider audience.
“He put a song of mine [in], I believe it was season 1, episode 2, and really introduced my music to a lot of people who like that Western way of life,” Wilson explained. The impact was immediate, with fans attending her shows saying they discovered her music through the series. The experience highlighted just how significant the Yellowstone soundtrack is to its audience. “I realized how important the soundtrack to that show really was and how many people really paid attention to the music on that show,” she added.
As season 5B of Yellowstone approaches its November 10 premiere, Wilson has expressed doubt about her return for the upcoming episodes. Speaking to reporters at the 2024 CMT Music Awards, she admitted, “I’ll be honest with you. I’d be shocked.” However, she acknowledged Sheridan’s unique storytelling style, suggesting that anything could happen. “He just has a beautiful way of bringing things back and letting things go,” Wilson said, leaving a glimmer of hope for her character’s potential comeback.
Despite her foray into acting, Wilson remains committed to her first love: music. She told Us Weekly in 2023, “I will never not make songwriting my priority because the songwriting is what has given me all the rest of these opportunities.” Her journey on Yellowstone has certainly opened doors, but music remains at the heart of who she is.
As fans eagerly await the final episodes of Yellowstone season 5, which premieres on November 10 at 8 p.m. ET on the Paramount Network, they can look forward to a thrilling conclusion. And while Wilson’s future with the series may be uncertain, her contributions to the show’s Western authenticity and musical legacy are undeniable.