When Kevin Costner was cast as John Dutton in Taylor Sheridan’s Yellowstone, it brought early attention and high expectations to the series, which eventually dominated cable ratings. At the time of his casting, the show was designed as a limited 10-episode miniseries, but as production progressed, it became clear the story would stretch across multiple seasons, creating significant pressure for Costner. In June 2019, shortly after the second season premiered, he shared his anxieties in an interview with Good Morning America, revealing the emotional burden he carried to ensure the show’s success.
Costner said,
Suddenly, it was going to be a multi-season,
and added,
And I thought, actually, if I would have said, ‘Well, now I’m not doing it,’ that maybe it might have crumbled before it got started. And I kind of took the weight on emotionally of not wanting to have the show crumble.
These concerns were echoed by his co-star Denim Richards, who portrayed Colby Mayfield. Speaking to the New York Post, Richards recalled that Costner addressed the cast at their first table read with honesty about his fears, stating,
I don’t know about you guys, but I’m scared as hell. So why don’t we come together the best we can, and make this happen, and support each other.
This sense of mutual encouragement helped build the foundational chemistry among the cast, sustaining the series through its run.
How Kevin Costner Stepped Away from Yellowstone
Committing to a five-season television series is demanding, and the extended timeline of Yellowstone created challenges for Costner. The show’s fifth and final season was split into two parts, with Costner starring in the first eight episodes but choosing to leave before the second half. His departure was prompted by his desire to focus on a personal passion project, the Western film Horizon: An American Saga.
The scheduling for the second half of Yellowstone Season 5 clashed with the filming of Horizon, which was intended as a major cinematic epic planned to release in multiple parts during 2024. Although the first movie underperformed at the box office, causing the second installment to be delayed indefinitely, Costner remained committed to this new project instead of completing his role on Yellowstone.
With Costner’s exit, Yellowstone took the bold step of killing off the John Dutton character early in Season 5, Part 2. The storyline then shifted to focus on the Dutton family’s efforts to uncover the circumstances of John’s death while attempting to maintain their legacy in the series’ universe.
Fan Reaction and the Future of the Yellowstone Franchise
The decision to remove John Dutton from the series was met with mixed responses, as many viewers expressed disappointment and frustration, feeling that the show’s creator, Taylor Sheridan, could have crafted a better resolution given the advance notice of Costner’s departure. Despite this controversy, the Yellowstone world continues to expand, with several spin-offs already produced or in development.
One notable upcoming project is The Madison, set in the present day and starring Michelle Pfeiffer and Kurt Russell. This new series is poised to explore different facets of the Yellowstone universe, suggesting that while the original saga has ended, its stories will endure in fresh ways, maintaining the interest of its dedicated fan base.
