Unforgettable Transformations: How Yellowstone Triumphed After Parting Ways with Kevin Costner

With Kevin Costner potentially not returning for the remainder of Yellowstone season 5, it is important to note that many TV shows have managed to overcome the loss of a main character. Costner is undeniably one of the biggest stars on television and has been a major draw for Yellowstone since its premiere in 2018. However, the series has already proven successful without Costner in its spinoffs, such as 1923, which is led by the equally influential Harrison Ford. Additionally, there is a sequel series in development starring Matthew McConaughey. While the absence of Costner may impact the second part of Yellowstone's fifth season, the flagship series is still expected to survive its final episodes without him.

When a TV show loses one of its main stars, there are several potential outcomes and solutions to address the issue. Some shows choose to recast the character, while others focus on different storylines and possibly introduce new protagonists. In many cases, the departed character may make occasional guest appearances or return for the series finale. Unfortunately, the initial departure often results in a significant decline in viewership and can lead to the show being canceled abruptly. However, there are numerous examples where enough interest remains to sustain the success and longevity of a TV show even after the loss of a main character.

10 The Office

Fans are still debating whether The Office made the right decision to continue after Michael Scott's (Steve Carell) departure. Although he was not the official protagonist, Michael served as the face of the show and could be considered its main character. After Carell's contract ended in season 7, his position at Dunder Mifflin needed to be filled, but it was clear that no one could truly replace him. This was evident through the constant rotation of temporary managers and new bosses introduced in his absence. Despite a slight decline in ratings, The Office remained popular and relevant for two more seasons.

9 The Vampire Diaries

When The CW's The Vampire Diaries premiered in 2006, it became the network's highest-rated series to date. Based on the books by L.J. Smith, the supernatural teen drama was so successful that it spawned spin-off programs, similar to Yellowstone, and the franchise continued until 2022. Initially centered around Elena Gilbert, played by Nina Dobrev, The Vampire Diaries follows her as she navigates a love triangle with two vampire brothers. After Dobrev's departure at the end of season 6, the show managed to continue for two more seasons without her character, and actually saw a slight increase in ratings.

8 Spin City

7 Two And A Half Men

After facing a decline in his film career during the 1990s, Michael J. Fox made a comeback on network television by starring in the sitcom Spin City. He portrayed the character of Mike Flaherty, the Deputy Mayor of New York City, in this political comedy series for four seasons. In the third season, Fox publicly disclosed his diagnosis of Parkinson's disease, which eventually led to his departure from the show due to worsening symptoms. However, he received critical acclaim and won an Emmy for his final year as a regular cast member in the leading role. Following Fox's departure, Charlie Sheen took over as the new lead, playing Flaherty's replacement in the Deputy Mayor position. The show managed to survive for two more seasons before it was eventually cancelled.

Following the conclusion of Spin City, Charlie Sheen seamlessly transitioned into another sitcom, Two and a Half Men, where he assumed the lead role of Charlie Harper, a talented jingle writer. This entertaining series follows the life of Charlie, who opens his doors to his brother Alan and nephew Jake after Alan's marriage falls apart. However, during the eighth season, Sheen's contract was terminated due to his offensive remarks towards the show's creator, Chuck Lorre. As a result, the character of Charlie Harper was written out and Ashton Kutcher joined the ensemble as Walden, a close friend of Alan, ensuring the continuity of the show's titular essence. Notably, viewership ratings even experienced a surge for a significant period of time, allowing Two and a Half Men to enjoy an additional four seasons following the departure of Charlie.

6 Charlie's Angels

5 Happy Days

In the beginning of 1976, Farrah Fawcett was a relatively unknown actress, mainly known as the wife of TV star Lee Majors rather than for her own achievements. However, her fortunes changed rapidly when a pin-up poster started selling like hotcakes and she landed a role in the highly popular series, Charlie's Angels, as one of the titular trio. This catapulted her to instant stardom and she became an icon overnight. Despite only completing one season in the role of Jill Munroe, the beloved main character in the show, and receiving a Golden Globe nomination, Fawcett departed due to creative disagreements. The viewers warmly embraced her replacement, Cheryl Ladd, who portrayed Jill's sister, Kris. Consequently, Charlie's Angels continued for an additional four seasons, successfully captivating the audience.

Richie Cunningham, though not the most renowned character on Happy Days, remained the central protagonist throughout the series. After portraying the role for seven seasons, Ron Howard, who played Richie, departed the popular show in 1980 to concentrate on his filmmaking career. In response, the storyline acknowledged Richie's departure as he enlisted in the army and embarked on an overseas journey. Meanwhile, Henry Winkler's character, Arthur Fonzarelli, also known as "Fonzie" or "The Fonz," had gained increasing popularity and had already become a co-lead alongside Richie. When Ron Howard left, the show successfully shifted its focus to Winkler's character, allowing for four more highly-rated seasons. Happy Days not only endured the loss but also outlasted its most successful spinoffs.

4 Charmed

3 Cheers

Another series featuring multiple main characters, Charmed revolves around three sisters who possess magical abilities. Prue Halliwell, portrayed by Shannen Doherty, served as the eldest and most dominant among them. However, their optimal synergy was achieved when they united as a trio, harnessing their combined "Power of Three." Consequently, when Doherty decided to depart from Charmed following the third season due to conflicts with co-star Alyssa Milano, the future of the show appeared bleak. Nevertheless, rather than discontinue the entire concept, the producers opted to eliminate Prue and introduce a previously unknown half-sister named Paige, portrayed by Rose McGowan. This addition reinstated the trio's dynamic and revitalized the concept of the "Power of Three." As a result, Charmed persevered for an additional five seasons, surpassing its previous run with Prue.

Sam Malone was the main character of Cheers, but the show heavily relied on Diane Chambers during its first five seasons. Sam and Diane's relationship became iconic for the will-they-or-won't-they storyline. Although Cheers had already experienced the loss of a main character with the death of Nicholas Colasanto, it managed to survive by introducing Woody Harrelson as a replacement. However, it was believed that the show couldn't thrive without Diane. Thankfully, this belief was disproven when Shelley Long left the show, taking Diane with her. Rebecca Howe, played by Kirstie Alley, seamlessly took Diane's place the following season and contributed to the show's success for another five seasons.

2 NYPD Blue

Nowadays, television holds a significant place alongside movies, attracting renowned actors like Kevin Costner from Yellowstone, who take on long-running roles. However, for decades, working in TV was often considered a stepping stone for actors aspiring to make it big in the film industry. Unfortunately, many actors made poor decisions in their pursuit of stardom. One such example is David Caruso, who, much like Farrah Fawcett, abruptly left his breakthrough TV role. Caruso portrayed the lead character of Detective John Kelly in NYPD Blue for just over one season. Although his film career didn't soar as he had envisioned, the police procedural continued for an impressive 10 seasons and beyond without him.

1 Roseanne

What happens when a show loses its main character? In the 1980s, viewers witnessed this phenomenon with Valerie transforming into Valerie's Family and later becoming The Hogan Family. In a similar vein, Roseanne experienced a brief revival after 22 years since its original ending. However, when Roseanne Barr, the show's leading star, was dismissed due to her racist tweets, the series was once again canceled. Nevertheless, it found new life as The Conners, a spinoff that bid farewell to the Roseanne character and continued to explore the lives of her family without her. Just like the successful Yellowstone franchise, The Conners persists and thrives despite the absence of its initial protagonist.