After months of anticipation, Yellowstone fans finally witnessed the emotional conclusion to the saga of the Dutton family in the season 5 finale. The series, which has become a cultural phenomenon, has left many fans wondering about the behind-the-scenes moments that took place as the show wrapped up. Recently, Kelsey Asbille, who portrayed Monica Dutton, opened up about her final day of filming on Yellowstone, sharing details about the challenges she faced and the unexpected danger she encountered on set.
In a recent interview on The Kelly Clarkson Show, Asbille reflected on the emotional and physical challenges of wrapping up her time on the beloved series. Her final day on set was far from ordinary, as she and the cast faced real-life danger in the form of nearby wildfires that were threatening the area. “Our last day of shooting is something I’ll never forget because we were kind of sitting ducks with the fires, with the smoke,” Asbille recalled. Despite the intense situation, the cast and crew pressed on, determined to finish the show’s final scenes. As Asbille described it, the scene unfolded beautifully, with the clouds parting and the sun shining over the hill as they filmed their last moments with the characters.
The intense wildfire situation was not the only obstacle Asbille encountered while filming the final season. In her interview, she also revealed the challenges she faced while filming scenes that required her character Monica to embrace her “cowgirl” side. As a self-described horse-riding novice, Asbille admitted that she was terrified of horses, which made filming these scenes even more daunting. “I’m so scared of horses,” she admitted, laughing at the thought of it. Despite her initial fears, Asbille dove into the experience, admitting that the wranglers and crew made her feel comfortable and safe, even when things didn’t go quite as planned. “My first day of cowboy camp—they didn’t invite me until the very last year, with good reason because I’m just absolutely terrified—they threw me in right with all the cattle, and I’m just a mess,” she said. However, with the help of the expert wranglers, Asbille was able to overcome her fear and step into Monica’s boots, giving viewers a glimpse of her character’s evolution throughout the season.
Asbille also shared that, despite the obstacles, her final day on set was one of beauty and reflection. The emotional weight of saying goodbye to Monica and the Dutton family was palpable, and the wildfires surrounding the set only added to the sense of finality. As the final scenes were shot with the stunning backdrop of the hills and sky, Asbille recalled the bittersweet feeling of knowing this was the last time she would embody Monica. “It was our last day; it’s the final time you see these characters, and we’re all on horseback—even our director, Taylor Sheridan, he’s on horseback—and we’ve got a hundred cattle, and the clouds just part and the sun goes over the hill and it’s just gorgeous, really beautiful.”
As fans await the future of the Yellowstone universe, Asbille’s reflections on her journey as Monica Dutton provide a touching glimpse into the challenges, triumphs, and unforgettable moments that made the show so iconic.
