Summary
Yellowstonestar Kevin Costner explains his decision to exit the show, sending a message to fans on social media. The series-ending episodes ofYellowstoneseason 5 part 2are on track for a November 10 premiere, as the neo-Western drama recently began production. But the involvement of Costner, and whether he’ll reprise the pivotal role of John Dutton, has remained an open question after the Oscar-winning actor’s verypublic feud with franchise creator Taylor Sheridanover reported issues such as scheduling and script approval.
Costnerhas now put that speculation to rest, taking to Instagram to explain why he won’t return forYellowstoneseason 5 part 2. While mentioning his upcoming filmHorizon: An American Saga, which arrives in theaters on June 28 in the U.S.,Costner confirms that he won’t be back as John Dutton, neither for these latest episodes nor in the future. The statement and the video are included below:
“Hi everyone. I just want to reach out and let you know that after this long year-and-a-half of working on Horizon, doing all the things that that’s required, and thinking about Yellowstone, that beloved series that I love, that I know you love, I just realized that I’m not going to be able to continue season 5b or into the future. 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 won’t be returning. And I love the relationship we’ve been able to develop, and I’ll see you at the movies.”
What Does Kevin Costner’s Absence Mean For Yellowstone’s End?
Is John Dutton About To Die Off-Screen?
The ending ofseason 5 part 1 heavily involves John’s centrality to theYellowstonecast, as he is key to a brewing feud between siblings Beth (Kelly Reilly) and Jamie Dutton (Wes Bentley). They’re on the path of mutually assured destruction, with both threatening to release incriminating photos to ruin one another. Beth and Jamie are seemingly ready to kill each other to nullify that threat. A major part of that hatred stems from the fact that Beth is unhappy with how Jamie publicly attacks their father, John.
Now that Costner is confirmed not to return for theYellowstonefarewell,the question becomes whether John Dutton will be killed offin an off-screen way. That is not an uncommon approach in television, with John Ritter and the sitcom8 Simple Rulesserving as a famous example, and that could change the tone of the story, with Beth and Jamie putting aside their differences after an unexpected loss. However, given the reported“moral death” clause in Costner’s contract, the manner of John’s passing will be closely watched.
Away from the speculation of how the Paramount Network will send off the show and how it sets up theYellowstonesequel series, Costner’s relatively brief social media message brings an end to months of back-and-forth about whether theHorizonfilmmaker would return to his notable TV role. Even as Costner expressed an openness to working with Sheridan, he has also taken time to give his side of the story and express disappointment in how the off-screenYellowstonedisagreements were handled. At this point, it may be better for all sides to move on.
Yellowstone
Cast
Yellowstone follows the Dutton family, led by patriarch John Dutton, as they defend their expansive ranch against external threats from land developers, an Indian reservation, and America’s first national park. Released on June 02, 2025, this series examines the complex dynamics and violent conflicts surrounding the largest contiguous ranch in the United States.
