Why is Kevin Costner leaving Yellowstone and how the cast exit is going to affect the show? Explained

Aashna
Kevin Costner leaving Yellowstone| Image via Yellowstone/Youtube
Kevin Costner leaving Yellowstone| Image via Yellowstone/Youtube

Kevin Costner's exit from Yellowstone has made the show's fans sad. Costner, who plays the role of John Dutton, is one of the significant pillars of Paramount's neo-Western Yellowstone. Rumors of Costner leaving Yellowstone have surfaced since last year, but fans were optimistic that the actor would return as Dutton in their beloved series.

It would not be exaggerating to say that the show's high ratings are partially due to Costner's strong portrayal as its lead character. Although it is hard to imagine Yellowstone without Kevin Costner, the actor has confirmed his exit from the show.

Although Kevin Costner was a part of Yellowstone Season 5 Part 1, the actor will not return for Part 2. According to reports, scheduling delays, creative differences, and pay delays are some of the reasons for Costner's exit. Everything about Costner's exit from Yellowstone and what it will mean for the show's fate is discussed below.


What is the reason Kevin Costner left Yellowstone?

Before we dive into the reasons behind Costner's exit from Yellowstone, here is how the actor announced his departure from the show in June 2024 via Instagram-

Among many factors, one of the major reasons Costner left Yellowstone was a clash of filming schedules with his passion project, Horizon. In an interview with Deadline, Costner explained how he prioritized Yellowstone and left a shoot for Horizon only to arrive at Yellowstone's set and ''having no script.''

Costner also cleared one of the surfacing rumors about him only agreeing to work ''for a week'' with the makers for the show, on which he said,

''Well, look, I’m doing my movie. If you want me to work a week because you want to kill me or whatever else, I can give you a week...And then they [spun that] into, I only wanted to work a week.”

In an interview with People, the actor also expressed disappointment that no team member came to defend his remark in public.

Long shooting schedules and creative differences contributed to Costner's exit from Yellowstone. The actor didn't want the season to be released in two parts. The 2023 writer's strike and winters in Montana ( shoot location) also made the shooting process prolonged and tedious.


What do the show's makers have to say about Kevin Costner's exit from Yellowstone?

Taylor Sheridan, the show's writer, was diplomatic in addressing this news. While he still thinks highly of the actor, Sheridan did admit that things got messy off-screen as lawyers were involved. He added,

''I’m disappointed...It truncates the closure of his character. It doesn’t alter it, but it truncates it.''
Yellowstone| Image via Youtube/Yellowstone
Yellowstone| Image via Youtube/Yellowstone

However, in an interview with People, Costner mentioned that he would be willing to rejoin the franchise if he agreed with the script and his character's arc.


What does Kevin Costner's exit from Yellowstone mean?

While it is not clear how the makers will write off Kevin Costner's character from Yellowstone, it can be suspected that he might die in the show. The official poster of the show posted on Instagram shows a figure (probably John) standing in a graveyard.

While this poster could mean anything, chances are high that Costner's Dutton will be killed off in the show.

Yellowstone will return for a part 2 on Sunday, November 10, at 8 p.m. ET on Paramount Network.

Also Read- Will there be a Yellowstone Season 6?


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Edited by Priscillah Mueni