The “Yellowstone” Season 5 finale just left viewers wanting more and they may just get their wish.
On Dec. 15, the popular series wrapped up its fifth season with an explosive finale that killed off a major character, the culmination of a season with quite a few deaths.
Paramount Network previously announced that the fifth season would be the show’s last. Kelly Reilly, who plays Beth on “Yellowstone,” reiterated the sentiment in November 2024 during an interview with The New York Times, saying, “We are absolutely ending this show.”
However, fans are buzzing about a potential spinoff series focusing on Beth and her husband, Rip (Cole Hauser).
How did “Yellowstone” end and how are fans reacting? We’re breaking it all down.
What happens in the Season 5 finale of ‘Yellowstone’?
For five seasons, “Yellowstone” viewers have followed the highs and lows of the Dutton family.
In the Season Five finale, the show offered up plenty of its signature drama, while wrapping up loose ends.
For starters, the Dutton family sell their land to back to Broken Rock Reservation.
Dutton patriarch John (Kevin Costner) is laid to rest after being killed earlier in the season. Ever loyal to her father, Beth vows to get revenge for his death.
Beth then pays her brother Jamie (Wes Bentley) a visit and attacks him since he played a part in John’s death. The fighting gets ugly and Rip shows up just in time to save Beth from being choked.
Then comes the finale’s major twist: Beth kills Jamie dramatically, stabbing him. Rip gets rid of Jamie’s body while Beth comes up with a plan to tell the police that Jamie attacked her then ran off.
Beth and Rip then buy a new ranch. With the explosive ending, Rip and Beth’s journey is now front and center, leading fans to ask — is this really the end of “Yellowstone”?
How are fans reacting to the finale?
As is often the case with series finales, fans of the show had mixed reactions to the ending. Some felt that Jamie’s death was appropriate.
“I always said from the beginning of @Yellowstone that Beth would kill (Jamie)!” one X user commented.
Another wrote, “Yay for Beth! I was hoping we would get this. Go to hell Jamie! Thank you for giving us such a great show. And loved the ending. Looking forward to the spinoff.”
Of course, not everyone was thrilled with Jamie’s death.
“The ending to this show was terrible! John would not have wanted this!” another social media commented, speaking about the late patriarch John Dutton.
Fans had mixed opinions about a potential Season 6.
“I watched the season finale of Yellowstone, and it felt more like a series ending show. It was good. If it continues for next season, it will feel more like an off shoot show,” one wrote.
“What would they have to go off on? The ranch is gone,” one wrote.
Viewers were quick to express their hopes for a potential spinoff.
“Really hopeful that this wasn’t the end for @Yellowstone since it was listed as a ‘season finale’ and not a ‘series finale.’ What an incredible ending to the season and well worth all the wait we had to endure for 5B. Can’t wait to see what’s next,” one X user wrote.
“Hopefully…Rip and Beth’s spinoff will bring more clarity to their relationship….along with the chaos…lol,” one wrote.
Will there be a Beth and Rip ‘Yellowstone’ spinoff?
A Beth and Rip spinoff series hasn’t been confirmed, but a Dec. 11 Deadline report said one is in the works. TODAY.com has reached out to Paramount Network for comment.