When Yellowstone returned after nearly two years with Season 5, Part 2, fans were left stunned by a shocking twist: the death of John Dutton, played by Kevin Costner.
The patriarch of the Dutton family was killed off within minutes of the season premiere, sparking outrage and disbelief among viewers. But according to Luke Grimes, who plays John’s youngest son, this was always part of the plan.
Luke Grimes addressed the controversy during an interview with People Magazine, acknowledging the mixed reactions from fans. He explained that while the twist may feel sudden, it was essential to the show's overarching narrative.
“I think they feel sort of cheated,”
Grimes admitted,
“we were all lucky to have Kevin on the show as long as we did... It was always the plan for him to have to go away for the story to really ramp up, and that was the story. You lose a patriarch of the family. Can the kids do it on their own?"
Season 5 part 2
The premiere wasted no time diving into tragedy, with John Dutton found dead from a fatal gunshot wound. Fans immediately expressed frustration, feeling blindsided by the sudden loss of such a central character. Many voiced their disappointment on social media, claiming the storyline felt abrupt and unfair.
Grimes emphasized that John’s death isn’t just a shock tactic; it’s a way to push the story forward. Can the Dutton children keep their family’s legacy alive without their father? That’s the central question the show now aims to explore.
Interestingly, Grimes revealed in the same interview with People Magazine that John Dutton’s death was planned much earlier in the series,
“Originally, he was supposed to die much earlier,”
he shared.
“In a way, they got way more of John Dutton than they were going to originally get.”
Grimes compared John Dutton’s storyline to other great dramas like The Godfather and Succession, where family dynamics shift dramatically after the death of a powerful figure. He suggested that such moments add depth and realism to the narrative.
Even Kevin Costner was surprised by the direction of the story. He admitted he hadn’t watched the premiere but had heard about the details. Initially, John’s death was framed as a suicide but later revealed to be a planned murder—a twist that even shocked Costner.
Despite the unexpected turn, Costner defended the creative team behind Yellowstone, hinting that John’s death might be a red herring.
Grimes believes the abrupt nature of John’s death mirrors real-life loss, where tragedy often strikes without warning. This raw authenticity, he argues, is what makes Yellowstone so compelling.
With Season 5 confirmed as the final chapter of Yellowstone, fans are curious about the future. Reports suggest Kelly Reilly (Beth) and Cole Hauser might take the lead in the show’s remaining episodes. The story now focuses on whether the Dutton family can survive without their patriarch.
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John Dutton’s death was more than just a plot twist, it was a turning point for Yellowstone. While the loss of such an iconic character was hard for fans to accept, it serves a greater purpose in the story, pushing the Dutton family into uncharted territory.
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