In recent days, social media has been flooded with emotional tributes and alarming headlines claiming that beloved Yellowstone star Gil Birmingham — best known for portraying Tribal Chairman Thomas Rainwater in the hit neo-Western drama Yellowstone — has officially said his final goodbye.
Posts describing the “Yellowstone region shrouded in mourning” quickly began circulating across fan pages and online communities, sparking panic among viewers who have followed Rainwater’s powerful leadership and unwavering presence since the show’s very first season.
Many of these viral posts painted an emotional picture of a farewell to one of the series’ most dignified and respected characters — a man who stood as both rival and ally to the Dutton family while fighting tirelessly to reclaim and protect Native land rights throughout the show’s five-season run from 2018 to 2024.
As the rumors spread, fans expressed shock and sadness, fearing that they were not only saying goodbye to Thomas Rainwater — but possibly to the actor himself.
However, despite the wave of mourning-themed tributes online, there has been no official confirmation that Gil Birmingham has passed away or permanently stepped away from the Yellowstone universe.
In fact, quite the opposite may be true.
According to production reports, Birmingham is set to reprise his role as Thomas Rainwater in the upcoming Yellowstone sequel and spin-off series Marshals, which is scheduled to premiere on CBS on March 1, 2026.
The new series will continue exploring the aftermath of the Dutton legacy, with Rainwater expected to remain a key figure in the evolving political and cultural landscape of Montana.
Born in 1953 in San Antonio, Texas, Birmingham has been active in film and television since 1986 and remains one of the most recognizable Indigenous actors working in Hollywood today.
So while fans may still be mourning the end of an era following the conclusion of Yellowstone in December 2024, it seems that the proud leader of Broken Rock Reservation is far from gone.
For now, Thomas Rainwater’s fight — and Gil Birmingham’s journey within the Yellowstone universe — appears to be continuing into the next chapter.