'Yellowstone' Season 3: Release date, plot, cast, and everything else about the Paramount family drama

The modern western that follows the Dutton family is a favorable mix of thriller, suspense, drama and the Wild West
UPDATED JUN 21, 2020

After a surreal end to season 2, 'Yellowstone' promises a fresh start for its third season. Paramount Network's flagship show, 'Yellowstone' is one of the biggest shows on television right now. According to a statement released by the network, the season 2 finale, which aired on August 28, averaged 5.7 million total viewers, making it the #1 cable telecast for the night. This was 'Yellowstone’s strongest episode in series history among total viewers, P18-34 (1.37) and W18-49 (2.26 rating). The modern western that follows the Dutton family is a favorable mix of thriller, suspense, drama and the Wild West. 

Release date

'Yellowstone' returns with season 3 on Sunday, June 21, 2020, on Paramount Network.

Plot

'Yellowstone' follows the Dutton family, led by John Dutton, who controls the largest contiguous ranch in the United States. The ranch is under constant attack by those it borders—land developers, an Indian reservation, and the United States of America's first National Park. The show is an intense study of a violent world far from media scrutiny, where land grabs earn developers billions, and politicians are bought and sold by the world's largest oil and lumber corporations. Where drinking water poisoned by fracking wells and unsolved murders are not news, they are a consequence of living in the new frontier. Amidst all, John Dutton does everything in his power, and more, to protect his family and their legacy. He is constantly at war from external enemies and the demons that haunt his own family. 

At the end of season 2, the Duttons find Tate (Brecken Merrill), who was kidnapped by the Beck brothers. With several old chapters and characters now closed in season 2, we expect season 3 to begin on a clean slate. Dan Jenkins (Danny Huston) is dead, the Beck brothers are dead, so there is now the potential for new adversaries.

Cast

Kevin Costner as John Dutton 

Kevin Costner as John Dutton (Image: Paramount Network)

Costner plays the role of the Dutton patriarch John Dutton, the sixth generation patriarch of the Dutton family. The Duttons control the largest contiguous ranch in the United States and John Dutton wants to keep the legacy in the family. The actor is known for his work on 'Thirteen Days', '3000 Miles to Graceland', 'The Guardian', 'Draft Day' and more. Costner's performances have been rewarded with two Academy Awards, three Golden Globe Awards, one Primetime Emmy Award, and two Screen Actors Guild Awards.

Luke Grimes as Kayce Dutton 

Luke Grimes as Kayce Dutton (Image: Paramount Network)

Grimes plays the role of Kayce Dutton, John's son and a former US Navy SEAL. Living with PTSD, Kayce struggles to live a normal life. In season 2, his son Tate (Brecken Merrill) was kidnapped by the antagonists. He shares a Kayce is known to lose his temper and get violent. The actor is known for his work on 'American Sniper' and the 'Fifty Shades' series. 

Kelly Reilly as Beth 

Kelly Reilly as Beth Dutton (Image: Paramount Network)

Our most favorite character played by the most suited actress. Beth is a force to reckon to with on 'Yellowstone'. She has had an especially difficult season 2, what with the brutal attack on her, but she is not one to waver in the face of adversity. For the upcoming season, we are looking forward for her to take her relationship with Rip forward. The actress is known for her performance in 'After Miss Julie', a role that earned her a nomination for a Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actress. 

Cole Hauser as Rip 

Cole Hauser as Rip (Image: Paramount Network)

Hauser plays the role of Rip, the ranch foreman at the Dutton ranch. Rip is John's most trusted guy, his right-hand man, his enforcer. John had taken him as a young teenager after saving his life. Since then Hauser's Rip has remained fiercely loyal to him. The actor is known for his role in 'Pitch Black', 'Transcendence', '2 Fast 2 Furious', 'A Good Day to Die Hard', 'Olympus Has Fallen' and 'Tears of the Sun' to name a few.  

Wes Bentley as Jamie 

Wes Bentley as Jamie (Image: Paramount Network)

Bentley plays the role of Jamie Dutton, an attorney, aspiring politician, and one of John's sons. Even though he is completely loyal to his father and family, he is constantly frustrated at their state. In season 2, he was demoted to doing ranch work after he got himself involved in a murder. One of the most pressing backstories we are keen on knowing is why his sister Beth hates him so much. The actor is known for his role of Ricky Fitts in 'American Beauty', which earned him a nomination for a BAFTA Award for Supporting Actor,  he also played Seneca Crane in 'The Hunger Games', Doyle in 'Interstellar' and Eric in 'Mission: Impossible - Fallout'. 

Josh Holloway as Roarke Carter

Actor Josh Holloway attends NBC Universal's Summer Press Day 2018 at The Universal Studios Backlot on May 2, 2018 in Universal City, California. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images)

Josh Holloway is a new addition to the cast of season 3. He is reportedly said to play the role of Roarke Carter. In a season-long arc, the actor will be essaying Carter, a handsome, charming, shaggy-haired hedge fund manager with ambitious plans in Montana. We can't be sure if he will be playing an ally to John Dutton or his adversary, but we are guessing it won't be a pleasant association. The actor is best known for his role of James Sawyer Ford on 'Lost' and Will Bowman on 'Colony'. 

Karen Pittman as Willa Hays

Karen Pittman (Image: IMDb)

Pittman will be joining the cast of season 3 as Willa Hays, a very smart, confident, intimidating businesswoman. She "walks with the posture of a field general, all sharp angles (her hair, her suit, her thousand dollar shoes), Willa is the CEO of Metro Capital. An astute businesswoman who seems to always get what she wants, Willa has come to Yellowstone to make John Dutton an offer that he can’t refuse," according to reports. The actress is known for her role on 'Disgraced', 'The Americans', and 'Luke Cage'. 

Creators

Taylor Sheridan 

Taylor Sheridan attends the premiere of Paramount Pictures' "Yellowstone" at Paramount Studios on June 11, 2018 in Hollywood, California. (Getty Images)

Along with co-creating 'Yellowstone', Sheridan has also directed episodes of the show.  The screenwriter, director and actor is credited with redefining the modern Western - he wrote and directed 'Wind River' and wrote the sequel for 'Sicario'. As an actor, he reached prominence for his role of David Hale in 'Sons of Anarchy'. 

Trailer



 

Where to watch

Before the show returns, the network will be hosting a massive recap of the first two seasons. Beginning on Monday, June 15 and continuing through Friday, June 19, the network will air two episodes of Yellowstone Season 1 between 9 pm and 11 pm ET. Season 2 will air in its entirety on Sunday, June 21, beginning at 8 pm ET. 

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