𝐇𝐨𝐰 ‘𝐘𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐧𝐞’ 𝐄𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐀𝐥𝐥 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐌𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬

Yellowstone concluded its primary narrative with the finale of season 5B. Although Taylor Sheridan and Paramount Network have yet to confirm whether this extended episode marks the end of the acclaimed flagship series, there have been reports indicating that two of its remaining stars—Kelly Reilly and Cole Hauser—have secured agreements for a potential spinoff.

What remains certain is that Yellowstone has cemented its legacy with a finale that felt conclusive. The event, directed by Sheridan and titled “Life Is a Promise,” left certain possibilities open while also revisiting the origins of the saga, particularly the prequel series 1883, as it brought the Yellowstone ranch to a definitive close. In a bid to rescue the struggling ranch, the largest in Montana, the children of the deceased John Dutton (played by Kevin Costner) made the decision to return the ranch to the Broken Rock Reservation. This agreement not only alleviated their financial difficulties but also fulfilled a 141-year-old commitment made by the Dutton ancestors, who settled in Yellowstone in 1883, to the Indigenous peoples of the region. Seven generations later, the land has been restored.

Before John Dutton’s children, Beth Dutton (Reilly) and Kayce Dutton (Luke Grimes), could distance themselves from their family’s legacy and pursue new beginnings with their own families, Beth had unresolved issues with her other brother, Jamie Dutton (Wes Bentley). The animosity between the siblings, which originated from Jamie’s non-consensual sterilization of Beth during their teenage years, reached a climax with the second death of a Dutton in season 5B. This event followed the assassination of patriarch John Dutton, a narrative choice made to address Costner’s departure from the series and to propel the intense drama that unfolded in the subsequent six episodes.

A dramatically violent confrontation between Beth and Jamie concluded with her fatally stabbing him in the chest. With the assistance of her husband, Rip Wheeler (Hauser), Beth not only evaded consequences for the murder but also framed Jamie, who is now officially reported as missing, for orchestrating the attack on their father.

The Hollywood Reporter provides an analysis of how all the principal characters have transitioned into their respective new chapters — at least for the time being.

Beth Dutton, portrayed by Kelly Reilly, is accompanied by Rip Wheeler, played by Cole Hauser, along with Carter, portrayed by Finn Little.

The finale focused on Beth as she laid her father, John, to rest. The intimate funeral for the patriarch of the Dutton family witnessed the entire cast paying tribute to the cowboy who managed the Yellowstone, with Beth making a solemn vow to his casket to seek vengeance for his murder. She fulfilled this promise by launching a surprise attack on her brother Jamie, which ultimately resulted in his death. However, Beth also honored an even greater commitment when she and her brother Kayce finalized their decision to return the ranch to the Indigenous people who originally inhabited the land. They sold the property to Chief Rainwater for $1.25 per acre, culminating in a total deal of $1.1 million—an arrangement that Rainwater characterized as the “worst land deal since my people sold Manhattan.” This transaction was strategically designed to circumvent an inheritance tax that neither party could afford based on the land’s actual worth.

𝐊𝐚𝐲𝐜𝐞 (𝐋𝐮𝐤𝐞 𝐆𝐫𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐬), 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐚 (𝐊𝐞𝐥𝐬𝐞𝐲 𝐀𝐬𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐞) 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐓𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐃𝐮𝐭𝐭𝐨𝐧 (𝐁𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐧 𝐌𝐞𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐥𝐥)

Monica expresses to her husband Kayce, with their son Tate accompanying them, “This is how I always envisioned it would be, in my dreams.” As the youngest of John’s sons finally achieves his own aspirations, Kayce is liberated from his father’s influence and the burdens of the Yellowstone legacy. He rides off into the sunset with his family, embarking on a new chapter as he establishes his own identity by acquiring 300 cattle for the East Camp ranch. The home he has been constructing in season 5B will remain theirs as part of the agreement with Rainwater.

Throughout the series, Kayce has grappled with his identity and legacy, frequently seeking insight through his vision quest—an Indigenous tradition. He consistently interpreted his visions as a sign that he would eventually face a choice between his birth family and the one he has formed. Ultimately, he comes to understand that he does not need to bear the responsibility of saving both families. They can sell the ranch to the reservation for a nominal price, ensuring that the sales tax does not burden either party, while also returning the land to its original inhabitants, the people who preceded the Duttons.

Not all members of the Dutton family survived, and it is not unexpected that Jamie was the one whose life was ultimately extinguished. The estranged brother and adopted son of John—a fact revealed during the course of the series—found himself in a predicament so dire that even the Montana Attorney General could not extricate himself from it. Ultimately, it is his sister Beth who confronts him, launching a brutal surprise attack at his residence. Jamie retaliates, resulting in an epic confrontation between the two siblings, which leaves Beth on the brink of death by the conclusion of their struggle.

Rip arrives precisely when needed to assist his wife in delivering the final strike. She plunges a knife into Jamie’s chest and implores him to meet her gaze as his life fades away. Subsequently, Rip takes on the task of disposing of Jamie’s remains in accordance with Beth’s elaborate scheme—incinerating his body within a vehicle abandoned by the roadside—resulting in Jamie being officially reported as missing. He leaves behind an infant son, Jamie Jr., the offspring of his previous relationship with his political ex-girlfriend Christina (Katherine Cunningham), with whom he had rekindled a connection in the second-to-last episode.

𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐞𝐟 𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐬 𝐑𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐰𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫 (𝐆𝐢𝐥 𝐁𝐢𝐫𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐡𝐚𝐦) 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐌𝐨 (𝐌𝐨 𝐁𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐏𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐲)

Rainwater informs Kayce during the negotiation for the Yellowstone property, “I once made a vow to your father that I would eventually acquire this land and restore it to the condition in which that man discovered it. I intended to erase any trace of his presence. I am certain he perceived it as a threat, and at that time, I intended it as such. However, your ancestors rest in this land, as do mine. It is sacred, and we shall honor it accordingly.”

Ultimately, one of John’s land rivals becomes an ally of the Dutton family in what is termed the deal of the century, solidified by a blood handshake between Rainwater and Kayce, whose wife, Monica, belongs to the Broken Rock tribe. “We are now brothers, to one another and to our land,” Rainwater declares.

This promise comes to fruition in the concluding scenes of Yellowstone, as the reservation begins to occupy the land and initiates the dismantling of Yellowstone as it has been known. However, when some individuals start to disturb the headstones of the Dutton ancestors interred there, they are halted by Mo (portrayed by Brings Plenty, who also serves as the show’s American Indian coordinator consultant). “They safeguarded this land. They sacrificed their lives for it. And this land is where they shall remain,” he proclaims.

He inscribes the headstones of Elsa Dutton, followed by that of John Dutton. Subsequently, Elsa’s voice emerges once more from the grave, as Isabel May, who also serves as the narrator for the Yellowstone prequel series 1923, elucidates how this conclusion connects back to 1883 and the land promise made by her father, James Dutton (portrayed by Tim McGraw), to the then-Chief of the Crow Tribe. This promise stated that after seven generations of Duttons, they would return for the land. Rainwater serves as the chief of the fictional Broken Rock tribe, with his lineage traced back to 1923 through his ancestor Teonna Rainwater, played by Aminah Nieves.

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐘𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐰𝐛𝐨𝐲𝐬

Since the tragic and unintended death of Colby Mayfield (Denim Richards), the ranch hands at Yellowstone have sensed an impending change. With the Dutton family considering the sale of the property, the cowboys residing in the bunkhouse have begun to seek alternative employment.

Teeter (Jennifer Landon), who is mourning the loss of her boyfriend Colby, found the strength to approach Travis Wheatley (portrayed by Yellowstone creator Sheridan) for a position at his Bosque Ranch. Meanwhile, Ethan (Ethan Lee) and Jake (Jake Ream), both of whom are cowboys in real life, have announced their plans to move to the N Bar ranch in New Mexico. Walker (Ryan Bingham), whose song “A Song for the Stone” featured in the series finale, intends to accompany his girlfriend (played by his real-life partner Hassie Harrison) on her travels. Initially, Ryan (Ian Bohen) expresses a desire to roam the open trail, but he ultimately reconnects with a former love (played by country artist Lainey Wilson) and decides to pursue a similar path as Walker. Lloyd (Forrie J. Smith) faces an uncertain future, having declined Rip’s invitation to join him at his and Beth’s ranch.

Former Yellowstone cowboy Jimmy (Jefferson White), who has made several season 5B appearances with Sheridan’s onscreen character, was sent to work at the Four Sixes ranch and was supposed to star in the 6666 spinoff series, which has been on hold since Sheridan purchased the property. (Sheridan owns and operates two Texas ranches, Four Sixes and Bosque.)

𝐉𝐨𝐡𝐧 𝐃𝐮𝐭𝐭𝐨𝐧 (𝐊𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐧 𝐂𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐫)

Following Costner’s exit from the series between seasons 5A and 5B, the fate of his character remained undisclosed until the premiere of season 5B. The startling episode disclosed that John had taken his own life. However, the subsequent season revealed an assassination conspiracy against him, ultimately linked to Jamie and his girlfriend, both of whom are now deceased. In the finale of season 5B, John was honored with a heartfelt and ceremonial funeral. The cowboys collectively performed the solemn task of digging his grave by hand. Each member of the main cast placed a white rose on his casket and offered their personal farewells, culminating in Rip lowering John’s casket into the earth.

“Thank you,” he expressed to the father-in-law to whom he owes his life. “I want you to know, I’ll take care of your daughter, you have my word. I’ll strive to love her as she loved you. I’ll see you again.”

Now, the Yellowstone universe must await the return of Rip and Beth. Meanwhile, 1923 is set to return on February 23, and the contemporary spinoff, The Madison, is currently in production.