Taylor SheridanβsΒ YellowstoneΒ franchise has confirmed that three leading stars are returning for the follow-up to the second part of the showβs final season, but while the situation is somewhat reassuring for fans, it also underscores the biggest problem for the sagaβs future. Despite its undeniable popularity,Β Yellowstoneβs finale has been beset with controversy. The combination of a cliffhanger ending and behind-the-scenes turmoil has made the future feel less certain than ever. The recent casting development alleviates some of these concerns, but inadvertently confirms the seriesβ biggest problems in the process.
Even without the issues affecting theΒ cast,Β YellowstoneΒ season 5Β has had a complicated journey. As a result of writer strikes, the season was split into two parts β with part one ending on a dramatic note as the conflict between Beth and Jamie reached boiling point. This cast the whole franchiseβs ambitious future into doubt β especially with the news thatΒ Kevin Costner was leavingΒ Yellowstonedue to a combination of scheduling conflicts and creative differences. News that three main stars are returning for theΒ YellowstoneΒ season 5 sequelΒ provides some consistency but also demonstrates a problem with the franchise.
Yellowstoneβs Returning Actors Proves The Original Characters Are The Biggest Draw
After a reported pay dispute,Β Cole Hauser, Kelly Reilly, and Luke Grimes are all reportedly set to returnΒ for theΒ YellowstoneΒ sequel series. Tentatively titledΒ 2024, theΒ YellowstoneΒ follow-upβs story is largely shrouded in mystery. However, the involvement of the three original stars seemingly confirms thatΒ Rip Wheeler, Beth Dutton, and Kayce Dutton will all play prominent roles in whatever story Taylor Sheridan wishes to tell.
Initially, much of the excitement aroundΒ Yellowstoneβs prospective future revolved around theΒ potential involvement of superstars Michelle Pfeiffer and Matthew McConaughey. While neither is yet confirmed to be joining the series, the return of the originalΒ YellowstoneΒ trio reveals an uncomfortable truth for the rest of the franchise. Namely, that whatever direction the story goes, itβs the originalΒ YellowstoneΒ characters that remain the biggest draw.
After five seasons in their company, audiences have become incredibly invested in the trials and tribulations of the Duttons
On one level, this situation is unsurprising. After five seasons in their company, audiences have become incredibly invested in the trials and tribulations of the Duttons β much more than any of the characters that have been introduced in single-season spinoffs. However, while this is an inevitable consequence of longevity and success,Β it also creates a problem for the seriesβ future as it moves beyond the originalΒ YellowstoneΒ β especially given that the showβs main focal point,Β Kevin Costnerβs John Dutton, will not be returning for the sequel.
Yellowstone Bringing Back Hauser, Reilly, & Grimes Is Bad News After Kevin Costnerβs Departure
By bringing back Rip, Beth, and Kayce,Β Yellowstoneβs sequel has confirmed the original Duttonβs importance to the showβs story. Although this is unsurprising, it also risks accentuating the inevitable void that will be left by Kevin CostnerβsΒ YellowstoneΒ departure. The exact reasons behind Costnerβs leaving remain unclear. While Costnerβs lawyer refuted claims that he was unwilling to commit to anΒ extensive filming schedule forΒ YellowstoneΒ season 5, commenting, βThe idea that Kevin was only willing to work one week on the second half of season five of Yellowstone is an absolute lie,β other reports have been less unequivocal. Sheridan himself said (viaΒ THR):
βMy last conversation with Kevin was that he had this passion project he wanted to direct. He and the network were arguing about when he could be done with Yellowstone. I said, βWe can certainly work a schedule toward [his preferred exit date],β which we did.β
Whatever the real reason, the fact thatΒ YellowstoneΒ is still so clearly dependent on the Duttonsβ storyΒ to provide its narrative impetus, yet has lost the most compelling Dutton of them all, leaves its future uncertain. Up until now, Rip, Beth, and Kayceβs stories have all largely revolved around how they relate to the austere family patriarch. With him gone, it remains to be seen how interesting their stories are in isolation.
β¦the moreΒ YellowstoneΒ doubles down on this generation of Duttons, the more disputes like the one that caused Costnerβs departureβ¦hold the potential to derail the show.
Ultimately, the three charactersβ return confirms thatΒ YellowstoneΒ is in an uncomfortable Catch-22. On the one hand,Β it needs to stick with the modern Dutton family, since they are the characters that audiences are most familiar withΒ and therefore provide the best chance of continued success. On the other, the moreΒ YellowstoneΒ doubles down on this generation of Duttons, the more disputes like the one that caused Costnerβs departure and the pay issue for Hauser, Reilly, and Grimes hold the potential to derail the show. Centering its spinoffs on familiar characters is a risk-reward strategy that may undo the whole franchise.
Why Yellowstone Keeps Coming Back To The Modern Duttons (Despite The Spinoffs)
Unlike some long-running dramas,Β YellowstoneΒ was ambitious from the outset when it came to establishing spinoff series. Shows likeΒ 1883,Β 1923, the as-yet-unreleasedΒ 6666all highlight how expansive theΒ YellowstoneΒ universe isΒ β both with contemporary stories and adventures set in the past. However, while bothΒ 1883Β andΒ 1923Β have had real critical success, thereβs an inevitable sense that they only exist in service to the originalΒ Yellowstone show.
AlthoughΒ 1923Β is confirmed to be getting a second series, the impression remains that the show and its predecessorΒ 1883Β are designed purely to augment the existing Dutton myth. Such is the overbearing presence and personality of characters like John Dutton III, Rip Wheeler, and Beth Dutton thatΒ itβs hard for other members of the family β even ones played by the likes of Harrison Ford and Helen Mirren β to make their stories seem compelling. TheΒ manyΒ YellowstoneΒ spinoffsΒ have also suffered from the problem affecting many prequels, in that, since the viewers already know the destination, the drama loses its impact.
This explains why the nextΒ YellowstoneΒ spinoff will be set after the events of the main show come to an end. Continuing the stories of Rip, Beth, and Kayce at least promises to bring some more uncertainty into the franchise. While the specifics ofΒ 1883Β andΒ 1923βs stories were unknown, the Duttonsβ situation in the present meant thatΒ any existential threat to the ranch and family as entities was substantially diminishedΒ β whatever the other merits of the shows. Even though Kevin Costnerβs absence creates many other problems, it will at least be fascinating to see how the family copes without him β a genuine unknown for viewers.
How Yellowstone Can Finally Move On From The Original Duttons
The problems facingΒ YellowstoneΒ create quite a conundrum. However, there is a way for the show to move beyond its original characters and still create compelling drama for audiences. If the new spinoff can entice a star like Matthew McConaughey to join its roster, thenΒ the series will have a new focal pointΒ that relieves some of the pressure on the returning trio. Simultaneously, a high-profileΒ John Dutton replacement like McConaugheyΒ will also necessitate a change in storyline, with the Duttons playing a less central role in the narrative.
The combination of these two factors could create a situation whereΒ Yellowstoneβs future story gradually morphs into something where the Duttons remain an important presence, but are not the epicenter of the drama.Β This would allow future spinoffs and stories to incorporate elements that arenβt beholden to a single family, making its approach more flexible. For now, the emphasis on the return of Hauser, Reilly, and Grimes creates some additional problems forΒ Yellowstoneβs future. However, itβs also possible to see a pathway for the show to move forward.