‘Yellowstone’ Season 5: How 1 Star’s Real Life Could Force a Time Jump
The Yellowstone cast and crew are finally back in Montana to film season 5. But a few things have changed in the two years since wrapping production on season 4. Most notably, one star’s real-life changes could force a time jump when Taylor Sheridan’s western returns to the Paramount Network this fall.
Finn Little joined the cast of ‘Yellowstone’ in season 4
Yellowstone Season 4 marked the arrival of a new character to the Dutton Ranch — a young teenage boy named Carter, played by Finn Little. When the young actor joined the series, he was just 14 years old.
Sheridan specifically wrote the role of Carter — a young teen with no family whose situation resembled a young Rip Wheeler (Cole Hauser) — for Little because he was so impressed with his work on Sheridan’s film Those Who Wish Me Dead.
When Carter showed up on Yellowstone, his first interaction was with Kelly Reilly’s Beth Dutton — who ended up taking in the young boy. After a turbulent season, it appeared that Carter was slowly becoming part of Beth and Rip’s family. And he will likely be part of the cast for the remainder of the series.
A lot can happen in 2 years
The two-year break between seasons has presented a bit of challenge to the series, thanks to Little’s unbelievable growth spirit. At 16 years old, the young actor is literally unrecognizable compared to the last time Yellowstone viewers saw him.
Little recently shared a selfie on Instagram that revealed his new look, and in the caption, he wrote, “… when you say, “hi, nice to see you!” to the film crew and they don’t know who you are! 🤣.” In the comments, he added: “That’s what cake and steak does to a kid.”
Because the actor is so much older than he was in the Yellowstone Season 4 finale, Sheridan must decide whether or not to ignore Little’s transformation completely and pick up the story where it left off. Or, the writer/director could opt for a time jump to explain Carter’s shocking appearance.
We should note that Little isn’t the only teenage actor on set, either. Brecken Merrill has played Tate Dutton since season 1. He turns 14 on June 20, and he also looks very different than he did at the age of 12 while filming season 4.
‘Yellowstone’ fans will definitely notice in season 5
If Sheridan does choose to ignore the real-life changes in the two young actors, Yellowstone fans will definitely notice. Their comments on both Little and Merrill’s recent posts have made that very clear.
“As #breckenmerrill before #Finn has grown up before us in a flash how quickly six months changes appearances handsomely,” one fan wrote on Little’s post.
On Merrill’s page a fan commented, “What are you, like 27 now? Geez.” Another added, “I almost didn’t recognize you!!” A third wrote, “Wow! So grown up! I am looking forward to seeing what they have in store for you in season five!”
Yellowstone Season 5 premieres Sunday, November 13 on the Paramount Network.
