Finding out exactly what season and episode is Yellowstone on depends entirely on whether you’re looking for the very latest broadcast or just trying to figure out how far you have to go to reach the end of the Dutton saga. As of right now, the show is deep into its fifth and final season. This isn't just any regular season, though. It’s a massive, split-run event that has kept fans waiting for years—literally.
The show is currently airing Season 5, Part 2.
If you’re checking your DVR or streaming queue, the most recent episodes began with Season 5, Episode 9, which premiered in late 2024. The story didn't just pick up where it left off; it exploded back onto screens after a hiatus that felt like a lifetime due to behind-the-scenes drama and industry strikes. Honestly, keeping track of Taylor Sheridan's release schedule is basically a full-time job at this point.
The Long Road to Season 5 Episode 9
You probably remember the chaos. Kevin Costner's exit from the show made more headlines than the actual plot for a while. Because of that, the gap between Episode 8 (the mid-season finale of Part 1) and Episode 9 (the start of Part 2) was nearly two years. That is an insane amount of time for a cable drama.
Most people get confused because they see "Season 5" and assume it’s a standard 10-episode run. It isn't. Season 5 was designed to be the supersized swan song. It was originally slated for 14 episodes, but rumors from the set suggest we might get a few more just to wrap up the massive power vacuum left by John Dutton.
If you are starting from the very beginning, you’ve got a lot of ground to cover.
- Season 1: 9 episodes
- Season 2: 10 episodes
- Season 3: 10 episodes
- Season 4: 10 episodes
- Season 5: 14+ episodes (split into two distinct parts)
Totaling it up, you’re looking at over 50 hours of Montana land wars, family betrayals, and Rip Wheeler being, well, Rip Wheeler.
Where to Actually Watch the Current Season
Streaming rights for this show are a total mess. It’s the number one thing that trips people up. Even though Yellowstone airs on the Paramount Network (the cable channel), it does not stream new episodes on Paramount+.
Wait, what?
Yeah, it’s weird. Peacock actually owns the streaming rights to the past seasons. So, if you want to see what season and episode is Yellowstone on for the older stuff, you go to Peacock. But for the new episodes in Season 5, Part 2, you usually need a cable login for the Paramount Network app or a live TV cord-cutting service like Philo, FuboTV, or Hulu + Live TV.
Why the Episode Count Matters Right Now
The stakes for Episode 10, 11, and beyond are higher than they’ve ever been. We are witnessing the literal end of an era. The show shifted from a family drama into a survivalist epic. With John Dutton’s fate being the primary driver of the final episodes, the episode numbering is the only way to keep the timeline straight.
A lot of fans are asking if there will be a Season 6. The short answer? No.
The long answer? It’s complicated. While Yellowstone as we know it ends with Season 5, there are already reports of a sequel series, potentially titled The Madison, which might feature some of the original cast. But as far as the main flagship show goes, once you hit the finale of Season 5, that’s the end of the trail.
The Breakdown of Season 5 So Far
The first half of the season—the "Part 1" we talked about—really focused on John Dutton adjusting to the Governor's office. It was slow. Some people hated it. It felt like a lot of political maneuvering and not enough of the grit that made the early seasons feel so dangerous.
Then came the break.
Part 2 (Episode 9 onwards) feels like a different animal. It has to be. There’s no more time for slow-burn subplots about cattle theft when the entire ranch is at risk of being carved up by Market Equities or the broken dynamics of the Dutton siblings. Beth and Jamie have finally reached the point of no return. You can't come back from the threats they've made to one another.
How to Binge the Right Way
If you’re trying to catch up to the current episode, don't skip the "smaller" episodes in Season 4. A lot of people thought Season 4 was just a bridge, but it sets up the legal chess match that defines the final season.
- Check your service: Peacock for Seasons 1-5 (Part 1).
- Buy the Season Pass: If you don't have cable, the easiest way to see what season and episode is Yellowstone on in real-time is buying the season on Amazon Prime Video or Apple TV. It costs about $30, but you get the episodes the morning after they air.
- Watch the Prequels: If you finish Season 5 and you’re still hungry for more, 1883 and 1923 aren't just spin-offs. They are essential context. Seeing the hardship James and Margaret Dutton went through in 1883 makes the family's obsession with the land in Season 5 make way more sense.
The current schedule usually sees new episodes dropping on Sunday nights. If you’re seeing spoilers on Twitter (or X, whatever) on a Monday morning, you're officially behind.
Common Misconceptions About the Final Episodes
People keep thinking Kevin Costner is going to make a surprise cameo in the series finale. While Taylor Sheridan is known for his twists, the split between the production and Costner was pretty definitive. The current episodes are written to handle his absence. It’s a bold move to finish the biggest show on TV without its lead, but if anyone can pull off a "The King is Dead" storyline, it's this crew.
Also, don't get confused by the "special episodes." Sometimes Paramount airs "behind the scenes" looks or "stories from the bunkhouse" as separate entries in your DVR menu. These aren't part of the official episode count. If you’re looking for the plot, stick to the numbered episodes.
What to Do Next
To stay current, verify your access to the Paramount Network immediately. If you've been relying on Peacock, remember that there is usually a significant delay—often several months—between the time the finale airs on cable and the time the full season drops on Peacock.
Actionable Steps for the Yellowstone Fan:
- Audit your streaming apps: Confirm you have Peacock for the back catalog and a way to access Paramount Network for the current Season 5, Part 2 episodes.
- Check the Episode Number: Ensure you have watched through Season 5, Episode 8 before starting the new batch, as the time jump can be jarring if you missed the mid-season cliffhanger.
- Clear 60 Minutes on Sundays: Set your DVR for the 8:00 PM ET slot to avoid the inevitable social media spoilers that happen within minutes of the broadcast ending.
- Explore the Prequels: If you find the current season's pacing too fast, watch 1923 to see the parallels between the Great Depression-era Duttons and the modern-day struggle.
The "Yellowstone" universe is expanding, but the main story is closing. Knowing exactly where you are in the Season 5 timeline is the only way to make sure you don't miss the moment the bunkhouse finally goes to war.
