Hold onto your cowboy hats, Yellowstone fans! As the countdown to Season 5’s highly anticipated return begins, one star’s farewell message has sent shockwaves through the fandom. Wendy Moniz, who plays Montana’s steely yet seductive Senator Lynelle Perry, has officially wrapped filming, leaving everyone wondering: what does this mean for Lynelle – and her complicated relationship with John Dutton?

A Bittersweet Goodbye

Moniz took to Instagram to share her gratitude, calling her time on Yellowstone “a beautiful experience.” Her heartfelt message sparked an outpouring of love from co-stars, including the notoriously fiery Kelly Reilly (Beth Dutton), who gushed, “Wendy!!! I adore you…we all do. You have just been so amazing to work with all these years!!!”

Even those outside the Yellowstone-verse, like comedian Chelsea Handler, chimed in with well wishes. Clearly, Moniz made a lasting impression on and off-screen.

A Senator’s Fate Hangs in the Balance

With Kevin Costner also exiting the show, fans are understandably worried about Lynelle’s fate.

After all, their on-again, off-again romance was a slow burn highlight of the series.

“Please don’t kill off Lynelle!” pleaded one fan on Twitter. “She’s one of the few characters with any sense on this show!”

Others speculated that Moniz’s early departure might mean Lynelle meets an untimely end in Season 5, perhaps caught in the crossfire of the Duttons’ never-ending drama.

“Let’s be real, no one is safe on Yellowstone,” remarked one fan forum user. “And a high-profile politician like Lynelle makes a tempting target.”

Imagine: Lynelle, on the verge of a major political victory, silenced by a bullet meant for John Dutton.

It would be a classic Yellowstone twist, adding another layer of tragedy to an already explosive final season.

Spin-off Hopes and Dreams

However, some fans remain optimistic. Could Moniz’s exit simply mean Lynelle’s story is shifting focus, perhaps to one of the upcoming spin-offs? With 6666 already exploring the world beyond the Yellowstone ranch, it’s not inconceivable that Lynelle, a powerful political player, could factor into the narrative.

Then there’s the Matthew McConaughey-led spin-off, shrouded in secrecy but rumored to continue the Dutton saga in some form. Could Lynelle, with her connections to the family and her finger on the pulse of Montana politics, become a key figure in this new chapter?

A November to Remember

While we anxiously await confirmation of Lynelle’s fate, one thing’s certain: Yellowstone’s final episodes promise to be explosive. With John Dutton’s future uncertain, Beth and Jamie locked in a deadly feud, and a whole host of new threats emerging, anything could happen.

Mark your calendars for November 10th, folks, because the countdown to the final showdown has officially begun!