*Yellowstone* fans, buckle up, because things are about to take a serious turn in the final episodes of the hit neo-Western series. With season 5B set to premiere on November 10th, the anticipation for the Dutton family’s fate is at an all-time high. And it sounds like we’re in for a wild ride.
Cole Hauser, who plays fan-favorite Rip Wheeler, recently dropped some intriguing hints about what’s coming next for his character and the rest of the Dutton crew. Speaking with “TVLine”, Hauser teased that Rip’s upcoming storyline is all about “picking up the pieces… putting them back together and trying to move on.”
That’s a bit of a different angle from the Rip we’ve come to know—a hard-edged, no-nonsense ranch enforcer who’s always ready to throw down to protect the Yellowstone. But now, it seems we’re going to see a side of Rip that’s more reflective, focused on holding things together.
But here’s the kicker: Hauser’s comment could be a major clue about the fate of the Dutton family patriarch, John Dutton, played by Kevin Costner. If Rip is “picking up the pieces” and running the ranch, that strongly suggests that John Dutton is either dead or incapacitated. After all, John has always been the one in charge, and if Rip is stepping into that role, it can only mean that something catastrophic has happened.
Let’s not forget the brewing tension from season 5A, where Beth and Jamie seemed on the verge of an all-out war. No major damage had been done yet, so if Rip is left to “pick up the pieces,” it’s likely because something big—like John’s death—has set off a chain reaction that shakes the family to its core. And if Rip is helping Kayce, as Hauser mentioned, that likely means the youngest Dutton son is on the same side as Beth, with Jamie left out in the cold.
Adding more fuel to the speculation fire, photos from season 5B have conspicuously left out Kevin Costner. Is this another hint that John Dutton meets his end before the series wraps up?
While Costner’s future on the show has been a point of contention for months, fans are still wondering if he’ll appear in these final episodes. If he doesn’t, it might just confirm what many have feared—John Dutton won’t make it to the end of the Yellowstone saga.
For die-hard fans who have followed the Duttons since the series launched in 2018, the stakes have never been higher. Taylor Sheridan has crafted a world where power, legacy, and loyalty are constantly in conflict, and it feels like we’re about to see those themes explode in a final, game-changing conclusion.
How will the Dutton family’s story end? We’ll start finding out on November 10th when “Yellowstone” returns to the Paramount Network.
With just weeks to go, the countdown is officially on. So, grab your hats and boots—because this is going to be one wild ride to the finish! What do you think will happen to the Duttons? Let me know your thoughts!
