'Yellowstone' Nabs Early Season 3 Renewal at Paramount Network

The sophomore cycle of the Kevin Costner drama returns Wednesday.


Paramount Network is showing early confidence in Yellowstone.


The Viacom-owned basic cable network has renewed the Kevin Costner vehicle for a third season. The news arrives mere hours before the Taylor Sheridan drama returns for its second season on Wednesday. Season three will again consist of 10 episodes and return in 2020.


The early pickup arrives after Yellowstone became a breakout last year for the rebranded Paramount Network. The first season averaged 5.1 million total viewers, making it the most-watched new cable series of 2018 and the second-most-watched across all cable series for the frame.


Yellowstone, co-created by Sheridan (Sicario) and John Linson, was the first scripted drama developed specifically for Paramount Network (formerly Spike TV). The series, greenlit by former Paramount Network president Kevin Kay, anchors a scripted roster that includes the recently announced Josh Hartnett-led series Paradise Lost, Ron Howard's 68 Whiskey and Darren Star's Emily in Paris, toplined by Lily Collins. The cabler is also expected to add another star-driven drama to that roster in the coming days.


Yellowstone is produced by 101 Studios and counts Linson, Art Linson, Sheridan, Costner, David C. Glasser and Bob Yari among its executive producers. Watch the season two trailer, below.