Running time of the final episode of the “Yellowstone” series revealed

“Yellowstone” viewers, get ready – because the supposedly final episode of the hit cowboy series is almost here.

Series co-creator and writer Taylor Sheridan, 54, was back behind the camera to direct the final episode of season five, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

The final part of the season, airing on December 15, is titled “Life Is a Promise” and will be oversized, lasting one hour and 26 minutes.

“The fate of Yellowstone Dutton Ranch is revealed,” reads the season finale special, airing on Paramount Network at 8 p.m.

Sheridan wrote all episodes of the popular series and directed the first season, which aired in 2018. In the fifth season, he left the reins to others, including executive producer Christina Voros, who directed the first four episodes of the fifth season. Last week’s episode, “Give the World Away,” was directed by executive producer Michael Friedman.

Sheridan jumped out of the director’s chair and in front of the camera throughout Yellowstone’s run as Texas horse trainer Travis Wheatley. Fans were stunned when Sheridan introduced real-life supermodel Bella Hadid as his girlfriend in last week’s episode. Some felt this was an unnecessary and bizarre move at this late point in the series.

There were several mistakes in Season 5B, including the loss of Yellowstone lead John Dutton, played by Kevin Costner. Additionally, due to the Hollywood strikes in 2023, there was a long break between filming of Season 5A and the second half (5B).

Following speculation about a feud with Sheridan, the 69-year-old actor confirmed his departure in June – and the Dutton patriarch was killed off in the first episode of 5B, to the dismay of fans who believed he deserved a better farewell story.

Coster’s character was fatally shot by a killer who tried to make his death look like a suicide. It was later revealed that Sarah Atwood (Dawn Olivieri), the girlfriend of John’s son Jamie (Wes Bentley), had orchestrated the assassination attempt.

In the following episode, another contract killer finishes off Sarah – and the dying on the shooting range doesn’t end there.

Paramount Network announced that “Yellowstone” Season 5B would be the final season of the series; However, rumors of a spin-off focusing on Rip Wheeler (Cole Hauser) and Beth Dutton (Kelly Reilly) were confirmed by Deadline on Wednesday.

Sheridan is reportedly working on the spin-off, which will likely feature other “Yellowstone” cast members alongside Reilly, 47, and Hauser, 49.

The outlet also reported that the show will take place in the same current time frame as the flagship series.

There are several more “Yellowstone” spinoffs in the works, including an upcoming film called “The Madison” starring Michelle Pfeiffer, Matthew Fox, Kurt Russell and Patrick Adams.

“Yellowstone” continued to draw attention even without Costner, even posting a record decline in the second part of the season.

The fifth season finale of “Yellowstone” airs Sunday, December 15 at 8 p.m. on Paramount Network.