The wait has been brutal. Honestly, it feels like forever since we saw the Dutton family dealing with their usual brand of chaos under the Big Sky. If you're wondering when does Yellowstone start back, you aren't alone. It’s the question dominating every fan forum from Reddit to Facebook. After a mountain of behind-the-scenes drama, strikes, and rumors of Kevin Costner leaving for good, we finally have concrete answers about the return of TV’s biggest modern western.
The short answer? It’s sooner than you think, but different than you probably expected.
Paramount has confirmed that the second half of Season 5—often referred to as Season 5B—is slated to debut on November 9, 2026. This marks a massive gap since the first half of the season wrapped up, leaving fans hanging on a massive cliffhanger involving Jamie and Beth’s escalating war. The production has been a literal rollercoaster. Between the Hollywood strikes that paralyzed the industry and the very public falling out between Taylor Sheridan and Kevin Costner, there were moments where it looked like the show might never actually finish.
The Production Timeline and the Costner Sized Hole
Let’s get into the nitty-gritty. Production officially ramped back up in Montana during the late spring of 2026. This was a sigh of relief for locals in Missoula and the Bitterroot Valley, who often see the massive convoys of trailers when the show is in town.
But there is a catch. The biggest hurdle for the show starting back up was the departure of Kevin Costner. John Dutton is the gravity that holds the Yellowstone universe together. Without him, the show has had to pivot in a way that most writers would find terrifying. Costner has been busy with his own passion project, Horizon: An American Saga, and through various social media posts and interviews, he made it clear that his time on the ranch has likely come to an end. This means the episodes airing this November will have to explain his absence. Will he be written off off-screen? Will they use body doubles? It’s a gamble.
The atmosphere on set has reportedly been "intense but focused," according to crew members. They know the stakes. They aren't just finishing a season; they are trying to stick the landing on a cultural phenomenon.
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Why the Delay Happened in the First Place
You might be asking why it took so long for Yellowstone to start back up after the 2024 delays. It wasn't just one thing. It was a perfect storm.
First, the writers' strike halted all script progress. Taylor Sheridan writes a massive amount of the material himself, and without a pen to paper, the Duttons were frozen in time. Then came the actors' strike. Even once those were settled, the Montana winter is no joke. You can't just film a summer ranching scene in the middle of a January blizzard in Darby, Montana. They had to wait for the thaw.
What to Expect When the Show Returns
When the show finally hits your screen in November, don't expect a slow burn. The tension between Jamie Dutton (Wes Bentley) and Beth Dutton (Kelly Reilly) has reached a literal "kill or be killed" stage.
- Jamie’s Move: He’s backed into a corner and has already consulted with Sarah Atwood about taking permanent measures against his sister.
- Beth’s Revenge: She knows Jamie’s secrets, but she’s also vulnerable if the truth about the "Train Station" comes out.
- The Fate of the Ranch: With John Dutton potentially out of the picture, the legal battle over the land becomes much more desperate.
The episodes are expected to be longer, almost cinematic in scope. There have been whispers that these final episodes will bridge the gap into the various spin-offs, including the much-anticipated 6666 and the sequel series currently titled 2024 (though the title may change as the timeline shifts).
The Spin-off Synergy
The reason the main Yellowstone start back date matters so much is because it triggers a domino effect for the rest of the Sheridan-verse. We’ve already seen 1883 and 1923 find massive success. But the "sequel" series, which is rumored to star Matthew McConaughey and Michelle Pfeiffer, can't really begin its narrative arc until the main show concludes the current Dutton saga.
It’s a massive logistical puzzle. Actors have to be moved from one production to another, and the continuity has to remain airtight. For fans, it means that while the main show is ending, the world isn't.
Is This Really the End?
Technically, Paramount announced this as the final season of the flagship show. However, in the world of television, "final" is a flexible word. There are ongoing talks about whether some of the main cast—like Cole Hauser (Rip) and Kelly Reilly—might continue their characters into a new iteration of the show.
Honestly, it would be surprising if they didn't. Rip and Beth are the heart of the show for many viewers. Seeing them ride off into the sunset or move to a different ranch seems like a natural evolution rather than a hard stop.
Where to Watch and How to Catch Up
If you are planning to watch when Yellowstone starts back, make sure your subscriptions are in order. This is where it gets confusing. While the show airs on Paramount Network (the cable channel), it doesn't stream on Paramount+. Because of older licensing deals, the streaming home for past seasons is Peacock.
- Check your cable login: You’ll need it for the Paramount Network app to watch live.
- Peacock for the backlog: If you need a refresher on Season 5A, that’s where you’ll find it.
- DVR Settings: Set them now. Seriously. The premiere will likely have massive viewership, and you don't want to be the one person spoiled by a stray tweet on a Sunday night.
The Montana Reality
For those who track the show because of its beautiful locations, the production has faced some local pushback regarding the increased tourism and cost of living in the areas where they film. This has added another layer of complexity to the show starting back up. The production has to balance the needs of a massive TV crew with the reality of small-town Montana life.
Experts in the film industry, like those at the Montana Film Office, have noted that the "Yellowstone Effect" has brought millions of dollars into the state, but it has also made filming more expensive as demand for local resources skyrocketed.
Navigating the Rumor Mill
Don't believe every TikTok theory you see. There were rumors that the show was canceled entirely last year—obviously false. There were rumors that Kevin Costner had already filmed his scenes in secret—unlikely, given his shooting schedule for Horizon.
The reality is that Taylor Sheridan is known for keeping a tight lid on his scripts. The actors often don't even get the full scripts until shortly before filming to prevent leaks. This means that until November 9, 2026, most of what we think we know about the ending is just educated guesswork based on where the characters were left in the mid-season finale.
Key Dates to Remember
- November 9, 2026: The official premiere of Season 5, Part 2.
- Weekly Sundays: New episodes will drop every Sunday following the premiere.
- Late 2026: Expected announcement of the specific premiere date for the McConaughey-led sequel series.
Moving Forward: Your Yellowstone Checklist
As we approach the date when the show starts back, you should probably get your viewing strategy ready. The cultural conversation is going to be loud.
First, re-watch the last two episodes of Season 5A. The nuances of the legal battle Jamie is mounting against John are easy to forget after such a long break. Second, keep an eye on the official Yellowstone social media accounts for "first look" trailers, which usually drop about six to eight weeks before the premiere.
Finally, prepare for an emotional ending. Regardless of how John Dutton exits the stage, the show has always been a tragedy at its core—a story about the end of a way of life. The final episodes aren't just about who wins the ranch; they are about what is left of the Dutton family when the smoke clears.
The wait is almost over. Mark your calendars, grab some bourbon, and get ready to head back to the ranch. It's been a long time coming.
Next Steps for Fans
To stay ahead of any schedule changes, you should regularly check the Paramount Network press site or the Montana Film Office's local updates. If you're planning a trip to see the filming locations, look into the Bitterroot Valley area, but remember that the Chief Joseph Ranch (the real-life Dutton Ranch) is a private residence and often closed to the public during active production windows. For the best experience, wait until after the season wraps to visit the local haunts in Missoula that the cast frequents.