Which 'Yellowstone' Cast Members Are Returning? A Season 5 Character Guide

Yellowstone fans are impatiently waiting for the beloved western drama to return to the Paramount Network for the second half of Season 5. Your favorite Dutton family members came back for more drama and are still hard at work to maintain their family's legacy — a massive ranch in Montana that just so happens to rival the size of the state of Rhode Island. So far in Season 5, we've seen action, unexpected romance, horrific tragedy, and a few laughs, so it's no wonder Yellowstone has managed to become one of the most popular shows on television over the past four seasons. Series creator Taylor Sheridan not only masterfully built this world but really helped create a new sense of excitement around Westerns in general, and it seems like every other network wants a piece of his success. Though there are plenty of shows like Yellowstone, nothing beats the real thing.

Yellowstone Season 5 picked up where Season 4 left off. All major members of the Dutton clan came back, ranging from John to his kids Beth, Jamie and Kayce. In addition to some exciting new cast members, other familiar faces got a bump up from recurring character to series regular, so we'll continue getting to know some characters on a deeper level when Season 5 returns.

Here's a character guide to everyone you can expect to see throughout the latest season of Yellowstone.

Kevin Costner - John Dutton

Actor Kevin Costner returned as the patriarch of the Duttons, John Dutton. This rancher may be part of a family that's all over the place, but the Yellowstone Ranch is massively important to him. He's always working to keep his and his family's land safe, and he'll return to do much the same this season. This time...as Montana's new governor. Costner is an executive producer on the series and is known for movie favorites like Field of Dreams and Waterworld.

The rumor mill has been swirling in recent months as to whether or not Costner will actually return to the series. Talk of scheduling conflicts as well as news of his pending divorce, seem to be keeping him from set, though the Paramount Network has stated that they feel confident John Dutton has a future on Yellowstone Ranch.

Kelly Reilly - Beth Dutton

Kelly Reilly is Beth Dutton, a surly and cutthroat businesswoman who'd do anything to help her father, John, keep the ranch safe from outside forces. She's back with Rip Wheeler (Cole Hauser) at her side, and we're in for an interesting series of events as the next set of episodes will separate her from her love when Wheeler heads down to Texas. In real life, you've likely seen Reilly on series like HBO's True Detective and films like Flight.

Luke Grimes - Kayce Dutton

Luke Grimes is John Dutton's somewhat estranged (at first) son Kayce Dutton, and next in line to take over the ranch. After living with his wife at Broken Rock Reservation, he later moved with his wife back to the Dutton ranch though they have since moved into a new larger house back on the reservation. Previously, Grimes appeared in movies like Fifty Shades of Grey and American Sniper. This season Kayce and Monica trying to start fresh in their new home and trying to pick up the pieces after suffering a major loss in the Season 5 premiere.

Wes Bentley - Jamie Dutton

Wes Bentley is Jamie Dutton, the least like the rest of his family. He's a lawyer and has little in common with the rest of the Duttons. Could it be because he was adopted? All he wants is his dad's approval, and he's tried desperately to get it. This season, he seems to fully pick a side...and it's not the Duttons. He goes head to head with his sister Beth and it's anyone's guess who will come out on top. Outside of Yellowstone, Bentley has appeared in films like The Hunger Games and in starring roles on shows like American Horror Story.

Cole Hauser - Rip Wheeler

Cole Hauser is fan-favorite ranch employee Rip Wheeler who is now the husband of Beth Dutton. He's not shy about his love for the Dutton family, and he's a real ride-or-die friend. Over the past season, we've seen him develop a sweet bond with teenage Carter as he shows him the ropes around the ranch, and he and Beth seem closer than ever. Next we see Rip, he'll be leading half of the bunkhouse down to the Lone Star State in an effort to save the Yellowstone's herd. You may have seen Hauser before in films like Good Will Hunting or Dazed and Confused.

Jefferson White - Jimmy Hurdstrom

Jefferson White made his way into fans' hearts by taking on the role of Jimmy Hurdstrom, a cowboy who's captured hearts left and right as he grew from struggling drug dealer to working at the Yellowstone. There were some rumblings about whether he'd return for Season 5, and now that he's officially back, Jimmy fans have plenty to talk about since we're getting a glimpse of his new life down in Texas as a newlywed. White has also appeared in projects like No Future and God's Country.

Kelsey Asbille - Monica Long Dutton

Monica Dutton, Kayce's wife, is portrayed by Kelsey Asbille. Caught in the middle of a struggle with her Native American heritage and the Duttons' family ties, she's often finding herself in difficult situations related to being at odds with those two identities. No one had a harder beginning to Season 5 than Monica, who is working on finding herself again after tragically losing a child.

Gil Birmingham - Chief Thomas Rainwater

Gil Birmingham is Thomas Rainwater, the chief of Broken Rock. He has a strong sense of duty to his ancestors and as such is working to reclaim the land surrounding the Dutton ranch. He frequently flips sides depending on if he needs John Dutton's help or not, and this season it seems their interests align. You may recognize Gil from the Twilight films or NCIS: LA.

Brecken Merrill - Tate Dutton

Brecken Merrill is a 14-year-old actor who appears as Tate Dutton, Kayce and Monica's son. He's been dreaming of becoming a cowboy for a long time. He's scrappy, with an attitude to match, and has made it through his fair share of trauma over the course of the show's four seasons. Before Yellowstone, he appeared on This Is Us and We All Got Up to Dance.

Ian Bohen - Ryan

Ian Bohen is livestock agent and bunkhouse boy Ryan, and he's the go-to guy for everything anyone needs to know about life on the Yellowstone ranch. The first half of Season 5 we saw him meet a new love interest, Abby. It seems like their future is at risk though since he's part of the bunkhouse crew headed down to Texas. He's also been seen in Little Women and Teen Wolf.

Denim Richards - Colby

Denim Richards is the affable cowboy Colby, who likes Teeter just as much as she likes him, but the pair are too stubborn to admit it. Until they finally decided to become the couple fans didn't know they needed to root for. Granted, what does the future hold for these two with Teeter headed down to Texas? Denim has appeared in series like Good Trouble and Good Luck Charlie.

Jennifer Landon - Teeter

Jennifer Landon plays the pink-haired cowgirl who joined the Dutton Ranch as one of their most valuable employees in Season 3. Speaking with a thick Texan accent (that few understand), she's close with Colby, and she won't just let anything slide. Landon is also known for her work in As the World Turns outside of Yellowstone as well as being the daughter of beloved TV actor Michael Landon.

Wendy Moniz - Gov. Lynelle Perry

Wendy Moniz is Governor turned Senator Lynelle Perry, who has an on and off romantic interest in John Dutton, but a mysterious aura around her that all but ensures no one gets too close. This season she's a friend to John as he adjusts to his new life as governor and tries to give him strong advice (that he never follows). Moniz has been just about everywhere on TV, from Nash Bridges to House of Cards.

Finn Little - Carter

Finn Little brings a wealth of acting experience to his role as the young cowboy Carter who Beth brings home in Season 4. He's back in Season 5, this time with his own love interest. Outside of Yellowstone, he's appeared in Angel of Mine and Those Who Wish Me Dead.

Ryan Bingham - Walker

Ryan Bingham brings former prisoner Walker to life in Yellowstone. This ex-felon become a hired ranch hand for Yellowstone and was branded at the end of the first season. Bingham is a singer-songwriter and actor who's appeared in films like Hostiles and Jackie & Ryan.

Mo Brings Plenty - Mo

Mo Brings Plenty is Chief Thomas Rainwater's driver, so we'll be saying hello to him again soon, but this time as a series regular. Outside of Yellowstone, he's appeared in films like The Revenant and Cowboys & Aliens.

Katherine Cunningham - Christina

Katherine Cunningham plays Christina, Jamie Dutton's campaign manager, when he participated in the race to become the new Montana Attorney General. She's also Jamie's ex-girlfriend that had his baby, so that should be an interesting storyline if she ever appears in the second half of Season 5. Cunningham has appeared in other series like NCIS, Condor, and Mind Games.

Jacki Weaver - Caroline Warner

Jacki Weaver is the unkind Caroline Warner, the CEO of Market Equities. She's working to dismantle the ranch, no matter what that means she has to do. Beth seems to have gotten the best of her so far, but who knows what will happen with episodes resume. Weaver joined Yellowstone in Season 4, but before that, she appeared in Silver Linings Playbook and other movies and series.

Forrie J. Smith - Lloyd Pierce

Forrie J. Smith brings the ranch hand Lloyd Pierce to life. He's close to Rip Wheeler and helps tidy up loose ends at Yellowstone, doing whatever he can so the Duttons stay afloat. He'll be running the show in Montana while Rip leads his crew down South. Smith is actually a cowboy in real life, and Yellowstone is his first acting role outside of his previous Western stuntman work.

Kathryn Kelly - Emily

Kathryn Kelly plays newcomer Emily in Yellowstone, Jimmy's new love interest at the Four Sixes Ranch in Texas. Now that Jimmy's back, it looks like we'll be learning more about her since they moved down to Texas together at the end of last season. And it was revealed they got married in the first half of Season 5. She's starred in series like Cheat, Class, and Bloods.

Kai Caster - Rowdy

Kai Caster made his Yellowstone debut in Season 5 as Rowdy, a younger cowboy who played an integral role in explaining exactly why Rip Wheeler is forever indebted to the Dutton family. Previously, however, he appeared in shows like The Baxters and American Horror Story.

Lilli Kay - Clara Brewer

Lilli Kay enters Season 5 as Clara Brewer, assistant to the Dutton family. As she takes on a variety of tasks to assist the family, she'll also likely get involved with more than a few entanglements. In real life, she's had roles in Rustin and Your Honor. And co-star Piper Perabo's step-daughter.

Dawn Olivieri - Sarah Atwood

Dawn Olivieri first appeared in the prequel series 1883, but now she's on Yellowstone as Sarah Atwood, a businesswoman we'll get to know well in Season 5 who gives Beth Dutton a run for her money. She's currently entangled with Jamie Dutton as he plots his father's downfall, and it's still unclear whether or not she's using him or genuinely has feelings for him. Olivieri previously appeared in shows like Heroes and House of Lies.

Lainey Wilson - Abby

Lainey Wilson is a country singer who's taking on the role of a musician named Abby in Yellowstone as well. You may have heard her song, "Heart Like a Truck" before of her acting debut. Not to mention her recent win as Female Vocalist of the Year at the CMA Awards.

Orli Gottesman - Halie

Orli Gottesman joins the Yellowstone Season 5 cast as Halie, a fun girl who Carter opens up to. She might be a more important character than we know so far, as she'll work with Carter to bring him more out of his shell. Outside of Yellowstone, Gottesman is a model and has appeared in Adeline and 1-800-Hot-Nite.

Piper Perabo - Summer Higgins

Piper Perabo is an animal activist and tough-as-nails environmentalist Summer Higgins. We'll probably be seeing a lot more of her when episodes resume as she and John have officially started a romantic relationship and she quite literally is on house arrest at his home. Perabo has appeared in movies like Coyote Ugly and The Prestige.

Josh Lucas - Young John Dutton

Josh Lucas has been in Yellowstone to portray a young John Dutton whenever the need has arisen. Elsewhere, he's appeared in films like A Beautiful Mind and Ford v Ferrari. Fans were definitely excited to hear that Season 5 is bringing back more of these interesting flashback scenes as Lucas has pretty much nailed portraying a young Kevin Costner.

Kylie Rogers - Young Beth Dutton

Kylie Rogers appears in Yellowstone as Young Beth Dutton in flashback scenes. This season has really given us a closer look at the youthful relationship she had with Rip and how she treated him. Rogers is an actress who's had her fair share of roles in shows like Days of Our Lives and Private Practice as well as films like Miracles from Heaven.

Kyle Red Silverstein - Young Rip Wheeler

Kyle Red Silverstein has brought the young Rip Wheeler to life on several occasions to really give fans an inside look at how Beth and Rip first started. Otherwise, he's appeared in series like Grey's Anatomy and films like Blended.

READ MORE: Does Rip Die in 'Yellowstone'? Everything Fans Need to Know