Kevin Costner says he didn't quit 'Yellowstone' and reacts to John Dutton's send-offNEWS | 15 December 2024Kevin Costner didn't return for "Yellowstone" season five, part two.
The actor said he "didn't quit the show" but left because of scheduling conflicts.
He said he still hadn't actually seen how John Dutton was written off the show.
Warning: Spoilers ahead for "Yellowstone" season five, episode nine.
Kevin Costner was just as surprised at John Dutton's "Yellowstone" write-off as you were.
The actor spoke about the circumstances of his departure from the show and his reaction to Dutton's end on SiriusXM's "The Michael Smerconish Program." Costner spoke with Smerconish the day after season five, part two of "Yellowstone" premiered — and disclosed that he hadn't even been aware the episode was scheduled to air.
The behind-the-scenes drama of "Yellowstone" has drawn just as much attention as its on-screen action. After reports began to circulate in early 2023 that Costner might be departing the show — or at least, that his filming time might be curtailed for season five, part two — Paramount announced in May 2023 that the series' fifth season would be its last (though it's TBD whether that's actually the case). Costner confirmed in June 2023 court filings amid his divorce from Christine Baumgartner that he was no longer under contract for the series.
On Monday, Costner told Smerconish his departure from "Yellowstone" was the result of scheduling conflicts. The actor has been working on his "Horizon" film series, which debuted in May to lackluster reviews.
"I didn't quit the show," he said. "There was no, there was just a, you know, everybody has to live up to what they say they're going to do."
"Yellowstone" dealt with Costner's departure by killing his character, John Dutton, off-screen in season five, episode nine. While it initially appears that he died by suicide, the show reveals that his death was the result of a hit.
Costner told Smerconish that he hadn't realized Dutton's death was airing the night before and that he had yet to watch the episode.
"I heard it's a suicide, so that doesn't make me want to rush to go see it," Costner said. He said, however, that the death could have been a "red herring."
The actor also said he'd proposed several endings for his character over the course of "Yellowstone" and told Smerconish he hadn't been certain he'd remain involved up to season five. Dutton's eventual end on the show wasn't one of those possibilities, but Costner expressed faith in the show's direction.
"Whatever they're doing, they'll figure it out," he said. "But yeah, I had come up with two possible endings back when it wasn't going to go as long as it did."
In case you missed the premiere, here's how to stream "Yellowstone" season 5, part 2.Author: Palmer Haasch. Source
