The Departure of Kevin Costner from Yellowstone

Yellowstone would not be complete without Kevin Costner's John Dutton. However, despite his integral role, the time has come for him to bid farewell to the show for good. Yellowstone has undeniably captured the interest of audiences and remains one of the most highly acclaimed scripted series of our time. Its popularity has only grown with each passing year, as exemplified by the remarkable feat of attracting 12.1 million viewers for Season 5 Part 1 in November, setting a new record.

Since then, rumors and speculations have haunted Taylor Sheridan's powerful neo-Western series, with a large portion of them centering around Kevin Costner, the star of Yellowstone who portrays John Dutton.

As the main show is nearing its conclusion, some individuals are pondering whether Costner will make a return for the last six episodes. Irrespective of the result, fans might be curious about the reason behind the actor's departure from Yellowstone.

Why is Kevin Costner leaving Yellowstone?

While an official statement from Costner regarding his departure from Yellowstone is still pending, it is highly likely that his involvement in the production of his movie Western epic Horizon is the primary factor influencing his decision.

You see, much of the speculation has focused on an alleged off-screen feud between Costner and Sheridan, causing delays to the filming of Season 5 Part 2.

The New York Post was informed by insiders of the Paramount show in April that there is a problem of "ego" between the two, and it is not solely one-sided. They explained that Taylor is the main focus of his show and holds the utmost significance among all his shows.

These rumors have gained momentum due to several instances of non-appearance, such as at PaleyFest. Sheridan, Costner, and the rest of the cast were scheduled to attend the TV festival but ultimately disappointed fans with a last-minute cancellation.

Several claims have mentioned scheduling conflicts with Costner, who is occupied with his role in Horizon: An American Saga. Some have suggested that the actor was only available to film scenes for one week. However, Costner's lawyer Marty Singer refuted these rumors, stating to Puck News, "The notion that Kevin was only willing to work for one week on the latter part of Season 5 of Yellowstone is completely false."

Regardless, as the co-writer, producer, director, and lead actor of his Horizon project, it is undeniable that Costner currently has a considerable amount of responsibilities. Principal photography for the initial film commenced in August 2022 and completed in November.

As indicated by recent behind-the-scenes set photos, it seems that production for the second installment of Costner's Horizon series is already in progress. Additionally, Deadline has confirmed that filming for the second film has commenced.

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Simply put, it appears that The Bodyguard star is currently unable to dedicate attention to Yellowstone, despite being the main character since its initial season in 2018.

Sources previously indicated to Variety earlier this year that "the problem appears to be Costner's limited availability due to his shooting schedule, which has become more restricted as the show has advanced."

When will Yellowstone Season 5 Part 2 arrive?

After the news broke that Yellowstone would be concluding after Season 5, it was announced that Part 2 of the fifth and final installment would be released for streaming in November 2023 instead of the originally planned summer launch.

This indicates that despite the Writers Guild of America's strike commencing on May 2, 2023, production of the show has not been affected. While fans may be anticipating creator Taylor Sheridan's involvement in the strike due to his significant influence in the industry, he has yet to reveal his stance on the matter.

The Yellowstone franchise will continue beyond its flagship series with spinoffs such as 1883, 1923, 6666, and an untitled sequel that may feature Matthew McConaughey. Meanwhile, there are still six remaining episodes of Season 5 Part 2 to look forward to. We apologize for not having a specific release date at this time, but we will keep you informed through our different platforms as soon as new information becomes available.

Below are the links to check out:

- Shows for fans of Yellowstone

- Kevin Costner's departure from Yellowstone

- Is Yellowstone airing tonight?

- Episodes of Yellowstone Season 5

- Season 2 of 1883

- 6666 Yellowstone

- Cast of 1923

- Season 2 of 1923

- Yellowstone cast

- Yellowstone Season 6

- Will Kevin Costner be in Season 5 Part 2?

- Matthew McConaughey hints at a role

- First look at the Bass Reeves spinoff

- Does Tate die in Yellowstone?

- Taylor Sheridan's shows and movies

- Beth Dutton star hints at the ending

- "Crazy bloodbath" expected in Yellowstone

- CBS premiere of Yellowstone

- Matthew McConaughey's Yellowstone series

- Explanation of CBS changes in Yellowstone

- Explanation of the timeline for Yellowstone spinoffs

- Does Monica die in Yellowstone?

- Is Lawmen: Bass Reeves a spinoff?