The Dutton family’s life is definitely dramatic, and there’s been no shortage of that in real life as well. The arrival of Yellowstone season 5 part 2, which serves as the final episodes of the series, has been a whirlwind even before the writers strike (now resolved) and actors strike (still ongoing). Fans have been waiting a long time for a release date, and it looks like we’ll have to wait even longer.
Unfortunately, the final episodes of Yellowstone season 5 aren’t even coming back in 2023. The premiere date for the rest of the season will be sometime in November 2024, according to Deadline. That means season 5 episode 9, and the remaining final five episodes are coming our way in about a year, as of Nov. 6, 2023. The delays are due to the Hollywood strikes, as well as behind-the-scenes issues with lead cast member Kevin Costner following scheduling conflicts. It’s very likely he won’t be returning in the final episodes.
The November 2024 release date is very disappointing as we’ve been waiting for the return of the series since it went on break in January 2023. And by the time it does come back, it’s going to be almost two years between season 5 part 1 and the rest of the season. Initially, the Paramount Network was hopeful for a November 2023 premiere date for the back half of the season. But obviously that’s not happening anymore.
So where is the series in terms of production? Has any filming happened yet? Read on below for the details.
Yellowstone season 5 part 2 hasn’t even started filming yet
In July 2023, cast member Luke Grimes, who plays Kayce Dutton on the Western, said filming hadn’t even started on the second half of season 5 at that point. That was “because of the writers strike,” which began on May 2, 2023. He told PEOPLE this in an interview before the SAG-AFTRA actors strike (which began on July 14, 2023) went into effect. He continued:
I think we would be [filming] if it weren’t for that. But that takes precedence over everything. They got to get that all sorted, and then we’ll be getting after it.
Now that the writers strike has been resolved, I’m sure work has restarted on the scripts at least. Previously while it was in effect, Yellowstone creator Taylor Sheridan had shared that he stopped work on scripts and that he wouldn’t start again until the writers strike was resolved. We’ve now reached this point, but now there’s a second hurdle for production to get through. And that’s the actors strike.
Obviously no filming or camera work can be done without the actors. And since no filming had taken place yet, so it’s going to take a few months for filming and post-production, the November 2024 premiere does make sense. It’s just still disappointing for us fans who were expecting our favorite Western back this year in 2023.
According to Deadline, SAG-AFTRA is currently looking through the latest proposal from the AMPTP, who represents the big studios. The companies are saying this is their “last, best, and final offer.” We’ll have to wait and see if the two sides can hopefully come to an agreement, so work can start back up again on Yellowstone season 5 part 2. And while we do wait, at least we have some spin-offs already out,and there’s a few more in the works, including a sequel that will reportedly star Matthew McConaughey in the lead role.