Why Kevin Costner’s Exit from Yellowstone Season 5 Part 2 Won’t Alter the Series Finale.
You might not hear much buzz on social media about “Yellowstone,” and you may not know anyone who watches it. However, since its debut on Paramount Network in 2018, Taylor Sheridan’s neo-Western has skyrocketed in popularity.
According to Nielsen (via Variety), Season 5A was the most-watched entertainment series of the 2022-2023 TV season, averaging 11.6 million viewers weekly. It was the only non-sports program to surpass 10 million viewers per episode. The show’s reach expanded even further when Paramount aired the “Yellowstone” pilot on CBS in 2023, drawing in 6.6 million viewers—half of whom were new to the series. This exposure solidified “Yellowstone” as a television powerhouse.
So, who is tuning in? Primarily older viewers, especially dads. The show’s appeal to this demographic explains the lack of major social media hype, and younger audiences may not even recognize Kevin Costner as John Dutton or be familiar with his struggles. Costner has played a significant role in the series’ success, so when it was announced he wouldn’t return for the anticipated Season 5B, fans questioned how the show would address the absence of its central figure.
Yet, series creator Taylor Sheridan wasn’t particularly worried about this challenge; he knew how the story would unfold from the start.
Costner’s Departure Won’t Alter the Course
The situation surrounding Kevin Costner’s exit from “Yellowstone” has been complicated and at times confusing. Costner claimed he wasn’t given details or scripts for Season 5B, complicating his commitment to his passion project, the “Horizon: An American Saga” film series. Meanwhile, Sheridan and Paramount suggested that Costner’s schedule hindered their ability to plan for the season’s second half. With reports of Kelly Reilly (Beth Dutton) and Cole Hauser (Rip Wheeler) discussing a potential sixth season, the series will undoubtedly feel different without Costner’s John Dutton at the forefront.
Despite the secrecy surrounding Season 5B’s ending—complete with redacted scripts to prevent leaks—Reilly revealed in September 2024 that Sheridan had disclosed the show’s conclusion to her during filming of the first season. Executive producer David Glasser confirmed that Sheridan had a clear vision from the beginning: “Day one, episode one, Taylor said, ‘I know exactly how this ends.’”
Reilly explained how Costner’s departure has influenced the show’s conclusion. Interestingly, she indicated that John Dutton’s absence was always part of Sheridan’s original plan. “That was already woven into the tapestry of the story. It was always going to happen, it just happened a little differently,” she said.
Sheridan’s Vision for the End
So far, details about the Season 5B ending remain closely guarded, even as it approaches its premiere on November 10, 2024. Speculation continues, with hints from cast members about the fates of Jamie Dutton and other key characters. However, the biggest question has been how the show will handle John Dutton’s character following Costner’s exit.
Reilly noted that Sheridan had always envisioned “Yellowstone” concluding after five seasons. “It was always going to be five seasons in his head,” she stated. “But because the show became so successful, the network and everyone wanted more.” In a sense, the unexpected journey has allowed them to wrap up the story in the way Sheridan intended.
How Sheridan manages to fulfill his original ending without Costner remains to be seen. Nevertheless, one thing is clear: fans, especially dads, will be eagerly awaiting the return of “Yellowstone” to see how this beloved saga unfolds.
