Why Is Kevin Costner Leaving Yellowstone? Inside His Departure Ahead of Season 5 Part 2

On June 20, Oscar winner Kevin Costner confirmed that he would not be returning to Paramount’s neo-western Yellowstone for the second half of season 5.

Costner, 69, who has played John Dutton III since the show’s inception, has been the subject of much speculation regarding his return to Yellowstone amid production delays. Now the actor has finally confirmed his fate with the series.

In an Instagram post, Costner reflected Yellowstone as a “beloved series” that he loves, but after more than a year of working on Horizon: An American Sagahe “realized” that he “wouldn’t be able to continue the fifth season or into the future.”

Kevin Costner says he won’t be back Yellowstone in new video: ‘I Loved It’

Costner’s announcement comes more than a year after rumors of his departure began swirling and days after the actor spoke to PEOPLE in his cover story about feeling disappointed by the production’s lack of support regarding media narratives. Hours before his confirmation, Paramount announced that the second half of season 5 will be released in November 2024, albeit without the star of the franchise.

Here’s everything you need to know about Costner’s departure from Westerns before the series ends.

Why is Kevin Costner leaving? Yellowstone?

Kevin Costner Yellowstone Season 5.

The most important

While Costner’s confirmed departure may be disheartening for fans, it comes after much speculation and reports from Costner himself regarding scheduling conflicts and production issues.

In May, Costner told Deadline that he had left the shoot Horizon be on set for Yellowstone – only to arrive to find that “there was no script”. The actor then reflected on how his attempt to adapt amid his tight schedule was portrayed in the media at the time.

“What you read at the end is me saying, ‘Well, look, I’m making my own movie. If you want me to work for a week because you want to kill me or whatever, I can give you a week,’ Costner told the news outlet. “I really didn’t have that week to give them, but I said, I’ll do it. And then they [spun that] u, I only wanted to work for a week.”

From the inside YellowstoneBehind-the-scenes drama: from Kevin Costner’s exit to legal battles

Costner added that his commitment Yellowstone was never the problem, but rather a maelstrom of factors beyond his control that made things challenging.

“I made Yellowstone first priority, and to insinuate anything else would be wrong,” he told the newspaper. “I did not initiate any of that. They are. They were tap dancing and this poor guy had to write so much too.”

Costner also spoke about the lack of support he received from others involved in the series.

“I’m disappointed that no one on their side … ever stood up for what I actually did for them,” Costner told PEOPLE earlier in June 2024. “There was a moment where I thought, ‘Wow, when someone is going to say something about who I am have done in relation to what I am I am not done?’ ”

Kevin Costner talks about Yellowstone Drama: ‘I got beat up by those fucking boys’

What did Kevin Costner say about his departure?

Kevin Costner Yellowstone Season 5.

The most important

Despite his frustrations, Costner has been vocal about his gratitude for Yellowstone. In his Instagram post, the actor concluded his news by reiterating what the show meant to him, emphasizing his deep love for the show and the community it fostered.

“It was something that really changed me. I loved it and I know you loved it. And I just wanted to let you know that I’m not coming back,” Costner said, “I love the relationship that we’ve been able to develop and seeing each other in the cinema.”

The Hidden figures the actor also talked about his gratitude for the series during his interview with PEOPLE.

“I liked the people on the show. I liked what it was about. I love that world,” he said.

What’s up Yellowstone the actors said about the departure of Kevin Costner?

Kevin Costner Yellowstone Season 5.

The most important

In April, Yellowstone star Luke Grimes said he understood Costner’s reasons for leaving during an interview with The Independent.

Grimes, who plays Costner’s on-screen son Kayce Dutton, told the outlet that while “whatever happens there” is “unfortunate” in terms of how it could change the trajectory of the show, he supports Costner’s pursuit of “passion projects,” as horizon — in which Costner invested $38 million of his own funds and was heavily involved in directing, co-writing, acting and producing.

“At a certain point you’ve got to do what you’ve got to do, man; you have to do what you love,” Grimes added.

However, Yellowstone creator Taylor Sheridan expressed a different view on this in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter last June, noting that he was “disappointed” by Costner’s departure.

“It shortens the closedness of his character. It doesn’t change it, but it shortens it,” Sheridan said.

‘Yellowstone’ creator ‘disappointed’ by Kevin Costner’s departure, but won’t resort to ‘Y—ti’ death for John

Will Kevin Costner appear in one of the final episodes Yellowstone?

YELLOWSTONE, Kevin Costner, ‘One Hundred Years Is Nothing’, (Season 5, Ep. 501, Aired November 13, 2022). Paramount Network/Courtesy of the Everett Collection

While Costner did not mention returning to Yellowstone in his Instagram post confirming his exit, he mentioned to PEOPLE that he would be interested in rejoining the franchise if he approves of his character’s portrayal.

Kevin Costner says he would ‘love’ to do more than 5 seasons Yellowstone After Exit: ‘Maybe this will come back’

“I’ve always felt that… It might be an interesting time to go back and finish the mythology of this modern family,” he said. “And if that happens, I’d get into it if I agreed with the way it’s done.”

However, the odds seem slim. “At the very end, I couldn’t do anything more for [the show] than I’ve already done,” Costner added.

Meanwhile, production on the second half of Season 5 began in Montana in May. It’s unclear how Costner’s departure will be handled in the episodes or if his character will make any appearances.

Kevin Costner would ‘love’ to come back Yellowstone — But he is waiting for the “right circumstances”

When Yellowstone season 5 part 2 coming out?

Season 5, Part 2 will premiere Sunday, November 10, at 8:00 PM ET on the Paramount Network.

Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education