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ARTICLE HIGHLIGHTS

  • Paramount+ recently renewed Mayor of Kingstown, The Game, and SEAL Team during a presentation at the Television Critics Association.
  • The Paramount Network and Paramount Plus are not the same thing.
  • Paramount+ is the home of Taylor Sheridan’s universe, while the Paramount Network is the home of his flagship series Yellowstone.
Mayor of Kingstown Jeremy Renner wearing a suit and tie in an image from season 1
Jeremy Renner in an image from ‘Mayor of Kingstown’ | Marni Grossman/ViacomCBS

Paramount+ executives have officially announced that Mayor of Kingstown will be back for season 2. Taylor Sheridan’s drama about the prison industry was one of three renewals recently announced by the streamer. Along with that news, the Paramount Network finally confirmed Yellowstone season 5.

Paramount+ is the home of Taylor Sheridan’s universe

Thanks to the success of Yellowstone on the Paramount Network, Sheridan signed a $200 million deal with ViacomCBS to deliver five new series over three years. But instead of remaining on the linear Paramount TV network, the deal was structured to have the new series in Sheridan’s universe launch the rebrand of the company’s streamer, Paramount+.

Sheridan ended up delivering two new series in late 2021 — Mayor of Kingstown and the Yellowstone prequel 1883. He also has the spinoff 6666 in the works, as well as mob drama Kansas City starring Sylvester Stallone. There’s also Landman, a drama about the West Texas oil boom.

All five of Sheridan’s new series are slated for Paramount+, while Yellowstone remains on the Paramount Network.

The Paramount Network and Paramount+ do things differently

The Paramount Network and Paramount+ are two of many assets owned by ViacomCBS. Even though the names are similar, they are different business entities with separate executives and projects.

While Paramount+ announced the renewal of Mayor of Kingstown, The Game, and SEAL Team during a presentation at the Television Critics Association. The Paramount Network has kept quiet about the future of Yellowstone.

‘Mayor of Kingstown’ will return for season 2

According to The Hollywood Reporter, the renewal of Mayor of Kingstown is notable because Sheridan has been working on the Jeremy Renner-led drama for more than two years. During that time, the show was moved from the Paramount Network to Paramount+ because the company’s focus shifted to streaming.

“With Mayor of Kingstown, Taylor Sheridan and [co-creator] Hugh Dillon offer a nuanced portrayal of the United States’ harsh prison system,” Paramount Plus exec Tanya Giles said.

“The stellar crew and cast, including Jeremy Renner and Dianne Wiest, delivered a thought-provoking, intense drama that kept audiences captivated and yearning for more. We are thrilled to be the home of the expanding Taylor Sheridan Universe and we look forward to bringing fans back to Kingstown next season.”

Taylor Sheridan was working on season 5 of his megahit ‘Yellowstone’ even without a renewal

With all the talk about the Paramount+ renewals, the Paramount Network stayed pretty quiet about Yellowstone season 5. Even before the renewal news, it’s was already confirmed that season 5 is definitely happening. Sheridan is already writing the scripts, and a production schedule is in place.

Executive producer David Glasser says the show has hit its “prime.” And, there’s still a lot of story to tell.

“I know with Taylor, he’s got a lot to say and a lot to write,” Glasser told Variety. “He’s deep into season 5 of Yellowstone now. He’s got some incredible ideas that he shared that I think audiences are going to be really excited about.”

Glasser also revealed that filming is scheduled to begin in May, and Yellowstone season 5 should premiere on the Paramount Network “in the fall.”

Local Montana newspaper Ravalli Republic reported that “current plans call for pre-production work to begin in mid to late March, with filming to get underway May 15 and run through the middle of August.”

Paramount Network finally confirms season 5 is a go

After the fan speculation, Paramount Network finally confirmed that season 5 of Yellowstone is officially happening. The news was accompanied by statements from both the president of ViacomCBS and EP David C. Glasser.

Yellowstone’s record-breaking performance proves we’ve tapped a cultural nerve and unleashed a passionate audience from the center of the country to each of the coasts,” said Chris McCarthy, President, and CEO, ViacomCBS Media Networks.

“Kevin Costner leads our incredible cast who make the Duttons America’s favorite family and, this new season is sure to be another one fans won’t want to miss.”

“We are honored to be able to bring audiences another season of Yellowstone. The continued growth in viewership and the recent recognition from the guilds bolsters our commitment to continue to bring groundbreaking entertainment to audiences,” said executive producer David C. Glasser, 101 Studios. 

Why isn’t ‘Yellowstone’ on Paramount+?

One thing fans want to know is why Yellowstone airs on the Paramount Network but isn’t available on the company’s streamer. Instead, the only place to find Yellowstone in the streaming world is on rival Peacock from NBCUniversal.

The reason Yellowstone is not on Paramount+ is that Peacock bought the SVOD rights to the series before the Paramount+ rebrand. Executives have reportedly tried to buy those rights back so that Yellowstone can come home to Sheridan’s universe. However, Peacock is unwilling to part with the Kevin Costner-led drama.

Related

Jeremy Renner on His Character Becoming the ‘Mayor of Kingstown’ — ‘No, He Doesn’t Want to F***ing Be There’

Seasons 1 through 3 of Yellowstone are currently available on Peacock. Season 4 is expected to drop in late March or early April. Season 1 of Mayor of Kingstown is now playing on Paramount+.

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