Yellowstone Returns at Last—But Without Kevin Costner? Here’s What You Need to Know

After almost two years without new episodes, Yellowstone is finally returning this Sunday, Nov. 10, at 8 p.m. ET on Paramount Network. The Western drama, created by Taylor Sheridan and John Linson and starring Kevin Costner, was once a consistent hit, premiering a new season each year from 2018 to 2022 and breaking viewership records along the way.

But after airing the first half of Season 5 in early 2023, the show faced setbacks, including delays from last year’s WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes, scheduling issues, and behind-the-scenes conflicts.

This new batch of six episodes will wrap up the current storyline—for now. However, Costner won’t be returning for this final stretch. Here’s a recap of what happened last time, why Costner is stepping away, and what to expect next.

Why Isn’t Kevin Costner Returning?

Costner is currently focused on his personal project, Horizon: An American Saga, a self-funded series of four epic Western films. While he originally planned to leave Yellowstone after Season 5 to prioritize Horizon, reports say he was open to returning if his schedule allowed it.

But scheduling conflicts and disagreements reportedly led to him stepping away, especially after Costner made demands for a pay increase and control over scripts. Sheridan noted that while he and Costner had worked out past issues directly, lawyers got involved this time, complicating things.

Despite the challenges, Sheridan says Costner’s absence won’t significantly change John Dutton’s storyline, though it will shorten it.

What Happened Last on Yellowstone?

In the first half of Season 5, John Dutton became governor of Montana, aiming to stop a major airport and commercial development on his land. With help from his daughter Beth, his chief of staff, and his once-estranged son Jamie, the attorney general, John worked to block the project.

Beth and Jamie’s relationship worsened, especially after Jamie was persuaded by Sarah Atwood from Market Equities to call for his father’s impeachment. Now, Beth wants Jamie dead, and Jamie seems ready to retaliate.

Meanwhile, John’s other son, Kayce, and his wife, Monica, struggled to move on after losing their infant son. Rip and other ranch hands took cattle to Texas to avoid contamination on the ranch.

What’s Next for the Final Half of the Season?

The new trailer doesn’t reveal much, but it’s likely that Beth and Jamie’s rivalry will escalate, with Kayce potentially forced to choose a side. How John Dutton’s character will be handled remains unclear, but Sheridan has hinted that John’s influence will still be felt, whether Costner appears or not.

What Yellowstone Spin-Offs Are in the Works?

Paramount+ has expanded the Yellowstone universe with prequels like 1883 and 1923, which cover earlier generations of the Dutton family. 1923, starring Helen Mirren and Harrison Ford, has one more season in production, and a sequel titled 1944 is also in development. Another spin-off, 6666, focused on the Four Sixes Ranch in Texas, is on hold.

The biggest upcoming project is The Madison, a sequel series that stars Michelle Pfeiffer as a wealthy widow who relocates her family to Montana. While it’s not clear if any Yellowstone characters will appear, a new cast, including Patrick J. Adams and Matthew Fox, has already signed on.

For fans, there’s plenty more Dutton drama to come—even as Yellowstone itself wraps up (for now).