The wait has been brutal. Honestly, if you’re a fan of the Dutton family saga, the last couple of years have felt like a slow-motion car crash of scheduling conflicts, legal drama, and Taylor Sheridan’s increasingly crowded production slate. But the "new show on Paramount" everyone is actually talking about isn't exactly a brand-new series; it’s the massive, long-delayed rebirth of Yellowstone Season 5, Part 2.
It’s complicated.
Technically, Yellowstone is returning to the Paramount Network, but for most viewers, the "new show on Paramount" experience happens via the Paramount+ streaming app or through Peacock, depending on where you live and which licensing deal is currently giving you a headache. Let’s get one thing straight: the landscape of the Dutton universe has shifted. Kevin Costner is officially out. That’s not a rumor or a negotiation tactic anymore. He’s gone.
Why the John Dutton Exit Changes Everything
You can’t just remove the sun from the solar system and expect the planets to keep spinning in the same orbit. John Dutton was the gravity of the show. With Costner focusing on his Horizon Western epic, the back half of Season 5 has had to pivot in a way no one expected when the season first premiered back in late 2022.
The story now leans heavily on Beth and Jamie’s mutual destruction. It’s dark. Like, "nobody comes out of this alive" dark.
Taylor Sheridan is known for writing every single word of his scripts. He doesn't use a traditional writers' room. This means the delay wasn't just about the SAG-AFTRA or WGA strikes; it was about one man trying to figure out how to kill a king without the king being on set. Reports from Puck and The Hollywood Reporter suggest that the scripts had to undergo significant revisions once the "Costner vs. Sheridan" standoff reached its breaking point.
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The New Blood: The Madison and Beyond
If you're looking for a literally "new show on Paramount" within this universe, keep your eyes on The Madison. For a while, it was called 2024, but titles change as fast as Montana weather.
Michelle Pfeiffer is the big get here. She’s stepping in as the lead of this new spinoff, which is expected to pick up the mantle once the main Yellowstone series takes its final bow. It’s not just a cameo. She’s the anchor. This isn't just a continuation; it’s a tonal shift. While the original series was about holding onto the past, The Madison seems to be about the consequences of that holding on.
Rumors about Matthew McConaughey joining the universe have been swirling for a year. Is he in? Is he out? According to industry insiders like Matt Belloni, the deal has been "on and off" more times than a light switch. As of now, the focus is squarely on Pfeiffer and the returning cast members from the original series who might migrate over, specifically Cole Hauser (Rip) and Kelly Reilly (Beth).
What’s Actually Happening with the Schedule?
The dates have moved so many times it’s hard to keep track. Currently, the final episodes of Yellowstone are slated to hit screens in late 2024 and carry over into the early months of 2025. This makes the "new show on Paramount" less of a single premiere and more of a rolling event that will dominate the ratings for months.
Don't expect a happy ending.
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Sheridan told The Hollywood Reporter that he doesn't do "f*ck-you endings." He’s not going to ruin the show just because he had a falling out with his lead actor. But he also isn't known for pulling punches. If you think the Dutton ranch survives this intact, you haven't been paying attention to the themes of the show. It’s a tragedy. Always has been.
The Streaming Confusion: Where to Watch What
This is where it gets annoying for the average viewer.
- Yellowstone (The Original): Airs on Paramount Network (cable), but streams on Peacock due to a licensing deal made before Paramount+ existed.
- 1883 and 1923: These are exclusive to Paramount+.
- The Madison and 6666: These will be "new shows on Paramount+" exclusively.
Basically, if you want the full story, you’re paying for two different subscriptions. It’s a mess, but from a business perspective, it’s a goldmine. Paramount Global is leaning into the "Sheridan-verse" because, frankly, it’s one of the few things still pulling massive linear TV numbers in an era of cord-cutting.
Real Talk on the Production Drama
People love to pick sides. Are you Team Costner or Team Sheridan?
The reality is likely a mix of both. Costner wanted a specific shooting schedule to accommodate his films. Sheridan, who is juggling Tulsa King, Mayor of Kingstown, Lioness, and about four other projects, couldn't—or wouldn't—bend. When you have two titans of the industry with massive egos, the audience is usually the one who loses.
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However, there is a silver lining. The forced exit of John Dutton has forced the writing to evolve. We’re finally going to see what Beth and Jamie look like when they aren't fighting for Daddy’s approval. They’re just fighting for survival now. That’s a much more interesting show.
What You Should Do Before the Premiere
Don't just jump into the new episodes. The gap has been too long. You've probably forgotten the specifics of the Sarah Atwood plotline or exactly how Jamie is planning to use the "train station" against his father.
- Rewatch the first eight episodes of Season 5. You need the context of the impeachment proceedings Jamie is trying to initiate.
- Check your subscriptions. Make sure you know if you're watching on cable or waiting for the streaming drop.
- Keep an eye on 1923 Season 2. It’s filming, and it will likely bridge some of the historical gaps that explain why the land is so cursed in the modern day.
The era of John Dutton is over, but the era of the "new show on Paramount" is just getting started. Whether it’s Pfeiffer’s new series or the final bloodbath of the original, Montana is about to get a lot more crowded.
Stop looking for a release date that stays put. Just be ready when the trailer finally drops, because it’s going to break the internet. The Duttons aren't going out with a whimper; they're going out in a hail of gunfire and litigation.