Wes Bentley on the end of Yellowstone

As Yellowstone gets ready to ride off into the sunset, star Wes Bentley, who plays (once?-)spineless attorney general Jamie Dutton, is also prepared to saddle up. And judging by Jamie’s moves in the mid-season finale, fans should be anticipating an explosive sendoff.

While Wes Bentley isn’t entirely sure what will come of Jamie Dutton in the final part of the fifth and final season – he has yet to read any of the scripts – he does expect the character to make a bigger impression than ever before, telling The Hollywood Reporter, “It has saturated a bit more in me what that feeling was at the end of last season, that breakthrough he sort of had; that moment where he decided that it doesn’t matter what I get or don’t get in this life. That he’s going to go out like a cannonball maybe. Just blow it all up. There was a switch in him. So with that forward momentum, it seems hard to avoid that he’s on the attack.”

Still, much of the drama surrounding Yellowstone has less to do with the Dutton clan but the behind-the-scenes turmoil that undoubtedly played a huge part in its premature end. Wes Bentley went on to say something that was intended to reflect his difficulties “shaking” Jamie Dutton from his persona, but can also read as a prediction of the mood and mindset once filming resumes…“It’s been tricky though, because of the length of time. Because of the dynamics. I don’t know what they are. I’m sort of on my own here. I don’t really know what’s going on. Life happens and it drifts a bit. But I have a feeling it’s so ingrained that once we start really gearing up, it will all just come flooding back, and be overwhelming again.” Of note, Bentley says he has yet to speak to Kevin Costner or any of the other cast members about the situation out of fear it will “jinx” it.

Jamie Dutton has been one of the more compelling characters on Yellowstone – especially in the first half of season five – so it’s no wonder that Wes Bentley has enjoyed playing him so much, despite the strain it may put on the actor. “It’s very hard to play him. And at the same time, I love it. I’m going to miss the challenge. Every single scene is literally the hardest scene I’ve ever had to do. Or it’s bringing in a new challenge. If the next thing is not the same challenge, I’m definitely going to miss it…So I will miss it, but I will also celebrate it being over.”

While Yellowstone will be concluding after its next set of episodes, there will still be plenty of shows within the extended universe for fans to explore, including prequel 1923, the upcoming Lawmen: Bass Reeves, present day-set 6666, and an untitled Matthew McConaughey-starring series.

Do you think this is a good time to end Yellowstone? Which spin-off is most appealing? Let us know!