The cast of “Yellowstone” is back filming the final episodes of the hit Paramount+ series.
Although Kevin Costner won’t be returning to Dutton Ranch, Instagram updates from Ryan Bingham, Jen Landon, Cole Hauser, Ian Bohen and Forrie J. Smith confirm that production is in full swing.
Hauser, 49, has played ranch hand Rip Wheeler since the series’ debut in 2018. He shared a photo via Instagram of scenic Montana views with a rainbow in the sky on May 23.
“Hello #montana, I missed you old friend! If you wanna rise, you might as well shine,” he wrote at the time.
The actor has deep ties to the state: His great-grandfather, Samuel Hauser, served as Montana’s seventh governor from 1885 to 1887.
Bingham, who plays Walker, shared a selfie with Landon (Teeter) and Jake Ream (Jake) and wrote, “Back on the Stone.” Landon shared the same selfie on his Instagram account, captioning it, “Summer Roadtrip ✨.”
Bingham, 43, also posted a video driving on Montana roads as snow fell in June, writing: “Snow falling in June. @Yellowstone #Montana.”
Most recently, he and co-star Hassie Harrison were married at Harrison’s family farm in Texas in May.
Landon, 40, thanked her coaches for preparing her for the upcoming season. On June 17, she shared a video of herself lassoing and wrote, “#Yellowstone #roping #teamroping.”
Known for playing Lloyd on the show, Forrie J. Smith is just as much of a cowboy in real life.
On June 26, Smith shared a video of horses and a beautiful sunset in Montana. “#country #cowboy #western #Yellowstone #Yellowstonetv,” he wrote. On May 16, he also told fans that he was “back in Montana, finishing Yellowstone.”
Additionally, Ian Bohen, who plays Ryan, posted a video of himself riding a horse. “That flag doesn’t stand a chance because I have dancing boots on when I’m at the ranch, now look at that steed and watch him prance around.” #cutting @Yellowstone #FinalSeason @paramountnetwork,” he wrote via Instagram on June 14.
Other cast members, including Gil Birmingham, Brecken Merrill, Denim Richards and Finn Little, reposted the Paramount promo photos to their Instagram accounts.
The series will be without patriarch John Dutton for the final episodes. Kevin Costner officially confirmed on June 20 that he would not return.
“Thinking of Yellowstone, that beloved series that I love, that I know you love. I just realized that I won’t be able to continue, neither season 5 nor in the future,” the 69-year-old Oscar winner said in an Instagram post.
“I loved it and I know you loved it. I just wanted to let you know that I’m not coming back,” he shared. “I love the relationships that I was able to develop. And I’ll see you at the movies.”
Costner instead focused on his new western film, “Horizon: An American Saga.”
“I just want to reach out and let you know that after this long year and a half of working on ‘Horizon’ and doing everything that was necessary,” he said in the clip.
In May 2023, rumors surfaced that Costner would not return to “Yellowstone.” Then it was announced that same month that the series would end with season 5, leading to speculation that it was ending in part because Costner was leaving.
“Kevin has been a huge part of the success of Yellowstone,” a Paramount Network spokesperson said in a statement to The Post. “We had hoped to continue working with him, but unfortunately, we were unable to find a slot that suited him, all of the other talent and our production needs to move forward together. We respect that Kevin has prioritized his new film slate and wish him the best.”
There was also speculation about tensions between Costner and creator Taylor Sheridan.
Costner stressed that he “loved” the show and would return to it “in a second,” but refused to divulge any information about what actually happened during his appearance on the June 27 episode of CBS Mornings.
“But your description isn’t necessarily flattering,” host Gayle King told him. “You made requests, you want to have a certain schedule, you want to shoot at a certain time, you want a certain money.”
King, 69, added: “If it’s not that difficult, why can’t you two figure it out?” People would be happy to see that. »
Costner, putting an end to the rumors and his line of questions, replied: “It’s not therapy, Gayle. »
“Honestly, we’re not really going to discuss it on the show,” he noted.
In an interview with the Hollywood Reporter in June 2023, Sheridan said, “My opinion of Kevin as an actor hasn’t changed. »
“His creation of John Dutton is symbolic and powerful…and I never had a problem with Kevin that he and I couldn’t work out on the phone,” Sheridan told THR. “But once lawyers get involved, people can’t talk to each other and start saying things that aren’t true and try to blame it on how the press or the public seems to react. He took a lot on the chin and I don’t know if anyone deserves it.
Sheridan also mentioned Costner’s four-film “Horizon” series, which he wrote, directed, produced and starred in.
“His film seems to be a big priority for him and he wants to change direction. I sure hope (the film) is worth it – and good,” Sheridan said of the first film.
Regarding Costner’s permanent departure from the series, Sheridan added: “I’m disappointed. This truncates the ending of his character. This doesn’t modify it, but it truncates it. »
THR reported that the creator hinted that the family patriarch was not expected to survive until the end of the series, although Sheridan did not elaborate at the time of the interview.
In May, just weeks before Costner revealed his official exit, he criticized the “Yellowstone” team for not defending him amid speculation that he was causing problems for the show.
“I got beat up by these fucking guys, and I know where that comes from a lot of times. I just chose not to bring it up. But if you know me well enough, I made ‘Yellowstone’ my first priority, and to suggest otherwise would be wrong. I didn’t initiate any of this stuff. They did,” Costner told Deadline.
The first half of “Yellowstone” season 5 aired between November 2022 and January 2023.
With several prequel series and a contemporary spin-off in the works, the original installment was scheduled to conclude in late 2023. WGA and SAG strikes delayed production of the final episodes.
“Yellowstone” also stars Luke Grimes, Kelly Reilly, Wes Bentley and Kelsey Asbille.
The final episodes are currently being filmed and are scheduled to air on November 10, 2024. It will have six episodes.