From Sons of Anarchy to Yellowstone: The Epic Lesson Creator Shares from a Memorable Car Crash

Taylor Sheridan's experience leaving Sons of Anarchy has influenced his approach to his current series, Yellowstone. As an actor, writer, and producer, Sheridan is well-known for his work on films like Sicario and Hell or High Water, as well as for creating the Yellowstone universe. This universe has expanded to include spinoffs like 1883, 1923, and Lawmen: Bass Reeves. However, the main Yellowstone series will be concluding with the second half of season 5, as lead actor Kevin Costner has exited the show amidst rumors of a backstage feud between him and Sheridan.

In a recent profile by The Hollywood Reporter, Sheridan was asked about the possibility of killing off Costner's character, John Dutton, in a dramatic car crash as a way of expressing frustration. Sheridan vehemently denied this idea, drawing from his own experience with Sons of Anarchy, where his character was killed off in a similar manner after expressing dissatisfaction with his pay. He stated that Costner's ego is not a factor in his decision-making process when crafting the narrative of the show.

I was involved in a devastating car accident! I do not support such reckless crashes. Whether [Dutton's fate] boosts [Costner's] confidence or offends, it is an unfortunate consequence that I do not consider when it comes to storytelling.

How Will John Dutton Leave Yellowstone?

It is not uncommon for television series to feature a dramatic car crash as a means for a character's departure. This narrative device has been used before Sheridan's exit from Sons of Anarchy, and it gained significant attention when Patrick Dempsey left the long-running medical drama Grey's Anatomy. However, this was not the first time this storytelling technique was employed.

Dutton's fate may not follow the same path, but that doesn't guarantee his survival in season 5. It's plausible that he could meet his demise offscreen, a common approach taken by shows when actors are unavailable to film their final seasons. This method has been used in the past to handle the real-life deaths of stars like Luke Perry from Riverdale and Cory Monteith from Glee.

Alternatively, Dutton could continue to live but depart from the series in a different manner. One likely possibility is his geographical removal, potentially as part of his new role as Governor of Montana. Regardless of how it unfolds, Sheridan's industry expertise will ensure that the onscreen events don't mirror the behind-the-scenes happenings seen in Sons of Anarchy.

Source: THR