Yellowstone exploded into a cultural phenomenon the moment it hit screens back in 2018, pulling in millions of fans who couldn’t get enough of the Dutton family’s gritty battles over land, loyalty, and legacy in Big Sky Country.
By the time Season 5 rolled around, the stakes felt higher than ever, especially after that jaw-dropping Part 1 finale in early 2023 left everyone hanging. Now in 2026, with the full story behind us, here’s the complete, no-fluff breakdown of Yellowstone Season 5 Part 2—its release timeline, who showed up, and how the story played out.
Yellowstone Season 5 Part 2 Release Date and How It Landed
After nearly two years of waiting—thanks to strikes, scheduling hiccups, and production pauses—Paramount Network finally dropped the first episode of Season 5 Part 2 on Sunday, November 10, 2024, at 8 p.m. ET/PT. The six remaining episodes aired weekly right through to the series finale on December 15, 2024. Viewers could catch it live on Paramount Network, with a same-night encore on CBS at 10 p.m. ET. Internationally, Paramount+ rolled it out starting November 10 in Canada and November 11 in the UK, with other regions following shortly after. Streaming arrived later on Peacock on March 16, 2025, so cord-cutters had to hold tight.
Here’s the full episode rollout for easy reference:
| Episode # | Title | Air Date |
|---|---|---|
| 9 | Desire Is All You Need | November 10, 2024 |
| 10 | The Apocalypse of Change | November 17, 2024 |
| 11 | Three Fifty-Three | November 24, 2024 |
| 12 | Counting Coup | December 1, 2024 |
| 13 | Give the World Away | December 8, 2024 |
| 14 | Life Is a Promise (Series Finale) | December 15, 2024 |
That schedule kept fans glued to their screens every Sunday night, proving once again why Yellowstone became linear TV’s biggest draw.
The Returning Cast and Notable Absences
The core Dutton crew brought the heat, even without the original patriarch anchoring every scene. Kelly Reilly delivered her signature fire as Beth Dutton, while Cole Hauser’s Rip Wheeler stayed the ultimate loyal enforcer. Luke Grimes held it down as Kayce Dutton, Wes Bentley brought the complicated tension as Jamie Dutton, and Gil Birmingham returned as Chief Thomas Rainwater to keep the land stakes sky-high. Supporting standouts like Kelsey Asbille (Monica), Brecken Merrill (Tate), Forrie J. Smith (Lloyd), and the rest of the bunkhouse crew rounded out the family feel.
Kevin Costner’s John Dutton did not appear in Part 2—his exit after Part 1 became one of the biggest talking points leading up to the return. The story smartly wove around that reality without losing momentum. No major new faces stole the spotlight, but the familiar dynamics and raw performances kept everything grounded in that classic Yellowstone style.
Here’s a quick look at the key players who carried the final stretch:
- Kelly Reilly as Beth Dutton
- Cole Hauser as Rip Wheeler
- Luke Grimes as Kayce Dutton
- Wes Bentley as Jamie Dutton
- Gil Birmingham as Chief Thomas Rainwater
- Kelsey Asbille as Monica Long Dutton
- Brecken Merrill as Tate Dutton
Fans loved seeing these characters evolve one last time, even if some goodbyes hit hard.
Storyline Highlights Without Spoiling the Big Moments
Picking up right after Part 1’s cliffhanger, Season 5 Part 2 dives deep into the power vacuum at the ranch and the fallout from choices made in the first half. Family betrayals, political maneuvering, and the endless fight to protect the Yellowstone land take center stage. The scripts keep that signature mix of brutal honesty, sweeping ranch life, and high-stakes drama that Taylor Sheridan does so well. Viewers get closure on long-running conflicts while watching characters make tough calls about legacy, loyalty, and what home really means.
The tone stays dark and intense, with plenty of the emotional gut punches and scenic beauty that made the show a must-watch. Sheridan wrapped the original series in a way that felt earned, tying up the Dutton story while leaving the door cracked for the expanding universe.
What the Ending Means for the Yellowstone Universe
The finale on December 15, 2024, brought the main saga to a close after 53 episodes total, but it didn’t shut down the franchise. Spin-offs like 1923 wrapped earlier, and new chapters are already rolling out. Luke Grimes is leading Marshals (a Kayce-focused sequel) on CBS starting March 1, 2026. Kelly Reilly and Cole Hauser are heading up their own Dutton Ranch project, and other stories set in the same world keep the momentum going strong.
If you missed any episodes or want to relive the ride, Peacock has the full Season 5 Part 2 ready to stream. Whether you’re a day-one fan or just catching up, this final batch delivered the Western drama everyone signed up for—raw, unfiltered, and true to the land that started it all.