Q’orianka Kilcher is making her much-anticipated comeback as attorney Angela Blue Thunder for the fifth season of the hit western drama series, Yellowstone, starring Kevin Costner. Despite her ongoing workers’ compensation fraud case, Kilcher is set to reprise her role in the show that has been hailed as “anti-woke” by some critics. As fans eagerly await the drama to unfold at the majestic Montana ranch, Kilcher’s return promises to add an exciting twist to the storyline.
A Tribal Lawyer’s Fight Against Development
Angela, Kilcher’s character, is a tribal lawyer who was last seen in the season three finale. In a pivotal moment, she was recruited by Rainwater to help obstruct Market Equities’ plans to develop Montana. Finding themselves with a shared goal, Rainwater and John joined forces, prompting Angela to team up with the Duttons. The cut-throat drama that unfolded in season four, with Beth fiercely opposing Market Equities, sets the stage perfectly for Angela’s return in season five, potentially reuniting her with Beth once again.
Legal Troubles
While fans eagerly anticipate Angela’s return to Yellowstone, they might be surprised to learn about the real-life legal turmoil surrounding Q’orianka Kilcher. The California Department of Insurance recently charged Kilcher with two felony counts of workers’ compensation fraud. Allegedly, she collected nearly $97,000 in disability benefits despite being capable of working. Kilcher’s attorney, Michael Becker, has stated that she plans to vehemently defend herself, requesting that she be presumed innocent until proven otherwise.
The charges stem from an incident in October 2018 when Kilcher claims to have injured her neck and right shoulder while working on the film Dora And The Lost City of Gold. Although she initially sought treatment and saw a doctor, she eventually stopped the treatment and failed to respond to the insurance company handling her claim. A year later, she informed a doctor involved in the insurance claim that she had been offered work but couldn’t accept it due to severe neck pain caused by her injury. During this time, Kilcher received $96,838 in temporary disability benefits between 2019 and 2021.
However, an investigation revealed that Kilcher had actually worked on Yellowstone for several months in 2019 while claiming to be disabled by her injuries. The insurance department claims that she returned to the doctor and began receiving disability benefits just five days after her last day of work on the show. In May, Kilcher surrendered to authorities and was arraigned on the fraud charges. Her attorney asserts that the actress suffered the injury while riding as a passenger in a production vehicle and that third-party doctors verified her injury and entitlement to benefits. Kilcher maintains that she never intentionally accepted benefits she believed she was not entitled to.
The Highly-Anticipated Season Five
As Yellowstone prepares to air its fifth season, fans can expect even more excitement and intensity. The upcoming season will be split into two installments of seven episodes each. Several cast members, including Wendy Moniz, Jennifer Landon, Mo Brings Plenty, and Kathryn Kelly, have been promoted to series-regular status. Additionally, Josh Lucas, Kylie Rogers, and Kyle Red Silverstein will reprise their roles as the younger versions of their characters.
Joining the cast are newcomers such as Kai Caster, Lainey Wilson, Dawn Oliveri, and Lil Kay, who are sure to bring fresh dynamics to the show. For fans looking to catch up on previous episodes or enjoy a marathon session, Paramount Network is running a special marathon that started on the Friday of Labor Day weekend, airing each day from 11 AM onwards.
The Dutton family’s battle to protect their ranch land will begin with a two-hour season five premiere on November 13, exclusively on the Paramount Network. After a highly successful fourth season, which garnered over 14 million viewers and earned the title of cable’s highest-rated show, the anticipation for the fifth season is at an all-time high.
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So mark your calendars and get ready for an explosive season of Yellowstone as Angela Blue Thunder returns to the screen amidst legal drama, bringing her tenacious spirit and tribal legal expertise to the forefront once again.