‘I Believe The Numbers Speak For Themselves:’ Cole Hauser Shares Hopes For Yellowstone’s Future

The Paramount Network began airing the second part of the fifth and final season of Yellowstone on Nov. 10. While the remaining episodes were supposed to bring the Dutton’s story to an end, Cole Hauser, who plays Rip Wheeler on the hit western drama, hopes that the flagship show will continue.

“[It] sure would be a shame to stop a great thing. I believe the numbers speak for themselves and America has spoken,” Hauser told People, referring to the show’s viewership ratings. “[Series creator Taylor Sheridan’s] and my interest was to bring back an American man who is unapologetic, honest, loyal with strong values. I believe we have accomplished that together.” The actor also hinted that Season 5 might not be the end after all, saying, “Maybe there’ll be more. Maybe they’re wrong. But if this is it, then it’s been one hell of a ride.”

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Rip takes center stage on the Dutton ranch in Season 5 as he risks everything to protect John Dutton’s (Kevin Costner) land. At the same time, he remains dedicated to his wife, Beth Dutton (Kelly Reilly), and their adopted son, Carter (Finn Little). Speaking to CBR, Reilly described what a happy ending for her character might look like. “There was an episode in the first half of the season [called] ‘Cigarettes, Whiskey, a Meadow and You.’ I think that would surmise Beth’s idea of happiness — whiskey, a meadow, and him,” she said.

Kevin Costner Abruptly Exited The Series

Costner decided not to return for the final six episodes of Yellowstone due to disagreements with Sheridan. Newly minted series regular Kathryn Kelly recently explained how John Dutton’s absence was worked into the show. “That’s not something that we had to pivot,” the actor said. “It was already written into the tapestry of the story. It was always going to happen. It just unfolded a little differently. It was always going to be five seasons. So, in a way, fate took it, and we ended this part of Yellowstone in a way that he always envisioned it to end,” she added.

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Per the official synopsis, Yellowstone follows “the Dutton family, led by John Dutton, who controls the largest contiguous ranch in the United States. The ranch is under constant attack by those it borders – land developers, an Indian reservation, and the United States of America’s first National Park.”

The first eight episodes of Season 5 aired between November 2022 and January 2023. At the time, Season 5B was pushed back because Costner was working on his four-part Western saga, Horizon. In August 2024, reports suggested that Yellowstone would continue with Reilly and Hauser in talks to lead the series.

New episodes of Yellowstone air every Sunday on the Paramount Network.

Source: People

The series follows the conflicts along the shared borders of the Yellowstone Ranch, a large cattle ranch, the Broken Rock Indian reservation, Yellowstone National Park and land developers. 

Release Date

June 20, 2018

Seasons

5

Creator