Does Tate Dutton die in Yellowstone?

With Yellowstone Season 5 Part 2 on the way, you might be wondering about the fate of John Dutton’s grandson Tate — does he die? Here’s what you need to know.

Taylor Sheridan’s flagship neo-Western series had only one focus throughout its lifetime: legacy. This is the thing John Dutton strives for, kills for, and nearly dies for.

Yellowstone Season 5 Part 2 will bring an end to the show, but the fictional ranch can live on, both through the upcoming Yellowstone spinoffs, and one key figure. You see, there’s one character whose shoulders have always carried the weight of Yellowstone’s future, and it’s John Dutton’s grandchild, Tate.

With so much at stake and the Dutton Ranch hanging in the balance, many might be wondering if Tate is still in the game, or if he’s suffered the same fate as many in the show. Well, here’s what you need to know.

Does Tate Dutton die in Yellowstone?

Tate Dutton, played by Brecken Merrill, hasn’t died in Yellowstone — but he’s had a number of brushes with danger over the seasons. 

His connection to the Duttons has landed him in danger a number of times. Firstly, in Season 1, Tate nearly drowned after falling into a rapid river while fishing with his grandfather. John saved him, but Tate got away with a few scrapes and bruises.

In Season 2, Tate is kidnapped by a group of neo-nazis on behalf of the Beck brothers, Malcolm and Teal — two of the most scheming Yellowstone villains there ever was.

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Eventually, John leads a group to go and infiltrate the gang and save Tate. Kayce finds his son in a bathtub with a shaved head, and while he’s physically okay, the kidnapping has a lasting psychological impact on him.

In Season 4, Tate is traumatized once more when he and his mom are ambushed by a home intruder. Just as the assailant is about to kill Monica, Tate shows up with a rifle and shoots him, saving his mother’s life. 

And that’s far from Tate’s only brush with death. In the Season 5 premiere, Monica is heavily pregnant with her and Kayce’s second child and Tate’s brother. With just a few weeks until her due date, she starts experiencing intense cramps.

While Kayce’s at work, she drives herself and a concerned Tate to the hospital. But since it’s night and she’s driving fast and in pain, she fails to see a buffalo in the middle of the road before it’s too late. Although Monica and Tate survive the horrific accident, the unborn child — John Dutton IV — doesn’t make it, leaving the entire family devastated. 

It’s been a troubled and treacherous road for Tate, but by the end of Season 5 Part 1, he’s still alive. And although Beth Dutton star Kelly Reilly previously suggested that the Yellowstone ending “won’t be happy,” fans aren’t expecting Tate’s story to end in tragedy. 

But for now we can only speculate. Time will tell as to how Taylor Sheridan decides to close the Dutton ranch for good. 

Why is Tate Dutton so important?

Tate is John Dutton’s (Kevin Costner) only biological grandson, meaning he is the sole heir to the Dutton Ranch after Beth and Kayce die.

This gives him a unique position within the family. He represents the future of the Dutton legacy, and since they are under constant threat from various external forces aiming to take their land, Tate is a target. 

As the son of Monica, his maternal lineage is Native American, having been raised on the Broken Rock Reservation. A number of Yellowstone episodes depict his connection to this heritage, especially through interactions with his great-grandfather. Ultimately, this lineage is a sign that the Dutton prophecy might come true.

For more Yellowstone, check out our other guides on the possibility of 1883 Season 2, the Yellowstone 2024 release date, and the Yellowstone cast.