Yellowstone is back and breaking records with 16.4 million viewers for its Season 5B premiere, the biggest audience in the show’s history.

The highly anticipated episode came after months of speculation surrounding the departure of Kevin Costner, whose exit had left fans wondering how the series would continue without its star.

Paramount Network revealed a 3 per cent increase in audience numbers compared to the Season 5A premiere in 2022. While the 2022 premiere aired across seven cable networks, this year’s launch was expanded to include CBS and eight cable networks, contributing to the larger viewership.

What will happen to Costner’s character?

The premiere quickly addressed the fate of Costner’s character, John Dutton, in the show’s typical dramatic fashion leaving the audience with no unanswered questions.

Episode 9 ‘Desire is All You Need’ starts off what we know is the beginning of the end for Yellowstone, with just five episodes left before the series concludes on December 15. These final episodes will lead into a contemporary spinoff, continuing the sprawling Yellowstone universe.

Costner’s departure was confirmed in June when he announced via social media that after working on his film Horizon, he realised he would not be able to return for Season 5B or any other spinoff.

“I just wanted to reach out and let you know that, after this long year-and-a-half of working on Horizon and doing all the things that’s required,” the actor posted to Instagram on June 20, “and thinking about Yellowstone…that beloved series that I love, that I know you love…I just realized that I am not going to be able to continue season 5B, or into the future.”

He added: “It was something that really changed me. I loved it, and I know you loved it. I just wanted to let you know that I won’t be returning.”

Although Costner’s role in Yellowstone has ended, his contribution to the series’ success will not be forgotten, especially considering the record-breaking viewership of Season 5B.