Hey folks, if you’re anything like me, you’ve been counting down the days for more Yellowstone drama. The hit Paramount Network series, starring Kevin Costner as the tough-as-nails John Dutton, finally wrapped up its fifth and final season with Part 2 in late 2024. After a long wait—thanks to strikes, scheduling hiccups, and some real-life twists—the show delivered six intense episodes that kept fans on the edge of their seats. Now that it’s all aired and hit streaming, here’s a fresh look at what went down, who’s who, and where you can catch it today.
The Release and How It All Played Out
Yellowstone Season 5 Part 2 kicked off on November 10, 2024, airing Sundays at 8 p.m. ET/PT on Paramount Network. It picked up right after that huge cliffhanger from Part 1 back in January 2023, where the Dutton family was facing threats from every direction. The six-episode run built to a powerful series finale on December 15, 2024. For those who missed the weekly broadcasts or want to binge, all episodes dropped on Peacock starting March 16, 2025, letting you stream the entire season (and the full series) in one go. Internationally, it rolled out on Paramount+ in places like Canada and the UK around the same air dates.
The wait was tough—nearly two years since new episodes—but it was worth it for the high-stakes action and emotional payoffs that Taylor Sheridan is known for.
Key Cast Members Who Returned
Even with some big changes behind the scenes, most of the core Dutton crew came back to close out the story. Kevin Costner’s John Dutton was absent from Part 2 due to his exit from the series (tied to scheduling conflicts with his Horizon projects and other reports), so the focus shifted to the next generation and loyal hands.
- Luke Grimes as Kayce Dutton
- Kelly Reilly as Beth Dutton
- Wes Bentley as Jamie Dutton
- Cole Hauser as Rip Wheeler
- Kelsey Asbille as Monica Long Dutton
- Brecken Merrill as Tate Dutton
- Gil Birmingham as Chief Thomas Rainwater
Supporting players like Dawn Olivieri (Sarah Atwood) and others added to the tension. The chemistry between Beth and Rip, and the family feuds, carried a lot of the emotional weight without the patriarch front and center.
What the Plot Brought to the Table
Part 2 dove straight into the fallout from John’s fate—starting with his body discovered in the governor’s mansion and the ripple effects across the ranch. Kayce and Monica settled into new chapters, Rip handled business down in Texas, and threats to the Yellowstone ranch ramped up big time. Storylines explored alliances (including a teased blood pact between Kayce and Thomas Rainwater), betrayals, and the future of the land that’s been fought over for generations.
Without spoiling the big moments, it wrapped up major arcs like the power struggles, family rifts, and external pressures from developers and rivals. The finale delivered closure on the Dutton legacy while opening doors for the expanding universe of spin-offs.
Quick Specs at a Glance
Here’s a handy table breaking down the key details for Season 5 Part 2:
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Premiere Date | November 10, 2024 (Paramount Network) |
| Episode Count | 6 (making Season 5 total 14 episodes) |
| Finale Air Date | December 15, 2024 |
| Streaming Release | March 16, 2025 on Peacock |
| Air Time | Sundays at 8 p.m. ET/PT |
| Main Returning Stars | Luke Grimes, Kelly Reilly, Cole Hauser, Wes Bentley |
Why It Still Matters for Fans
Yellowstone didn’t just end—it set the stage for more stories in the Sheridan-verse, with spin-offs like 1923, 1883, and the upcoming Matthew McConaughey-led series keeping the modern Western alive. Part 2 gave us brutal honesty about family, power, and land in that classic Dutton style. Whether you’re rewatching on Peacock or catching up for the first time, it’s a solid ride that reminds us why this show became such a cultural juggernaut.
If you haven’t dived in yet, grab some popcorn and saddle up—the full saga is waiting. What did you think of the finale? Drop your thoughts below!
