Summary
FormerYellowstonestar Kevin Costner explains why he left the hit series in the middle of season 5. Created by Taylor Sheridan, the hit neo-Western premiered in 2018, chronicling the life of John Dutton (Costner) and his family members as they attempt to protect their Montana ranch. After being a core part of theYellowstonecastfor four seasons, Costner departed the show in the middle of season 5.
During a recent appearance onToday, Costner shares an honest explanation regarding why he leftYellowstonein the middle of season 5.
According to Costner, it was due toYellowstone’s writing and development process preventing him from working on other projects. Check out the actor’s comment below in which he also touches on his possible return as the Dutton family patriarch:
“I did it for five years, and I wanted to work more than once a year. We lost an entire year at one point, and I thought, that can’t happen again. It was well over a year. I thought I have to be in a position to make the things. Material has to be ready at certain times, and we weren’t able to do that.
“After five years, I thought, I’m not going to do this. If we can get that, we can do that, and I’ll do it. I’ve supported that thing and I’ve loved it, it’s been really important to me. I would love to go back under the right circumstances. I think that’s what all of us want. At this point, for me, it really needs to be the right circumstances.”
Unlike many other modern TV shows, which use writers' rooms, Sheridan personally writes all theYellowstonescripts himself.
Kevin Costner’s Yellowstone Exit Explained
Is It Too Late For John Dutton To Return?
John was a central figure throughout most of the show, making it a surprise when it was announced that Costner wouldn’t be returning forYellowstoneseason 5 part 2. The star’s exit from the show was the subject of many reports and rumors at the time, most of which pointed to something of a breakdown in the relationship between him and Sheridan. Much of this, it was reported, was due to scheduling, with Costner allegedly wanting to spend less time on set.
A major factor at the heart of theYellowstonescheduling issues wasCostner’s work onHorizon: An American Saga. These movies, which represent a major passion project for Costner that he initially conceived back in 1988, see the actor taking the role of writer, director, producer, and star. A recent post toCostner’s Instagramreveals thathe has now started filming onHorizon 3ahead of the release of the first two this summer. If the actor gets his way, a fourth will be coming at some point as well.
8 Ways Kevin Costner’s Horizon Movie Is Similar To Yellowstone
Both Yellowstone and the upcoming epic Horizon: An American Saga star Kevin Costner in a leading role, but the similarities don’t end there.
With filming onHorizon: An American Saga – Chapter 3now underway, it’s unclear whether Costner will be able to return forYellowstoneseason 5, part 2. This final batch of episodes of the show reportedly began production in May and,with the two productions running concurrently, the actor might not be able to do both. If John does appear in the final episodes, it might not be much more than a cameo. Costner is clearly open to reprising his role forYellowstoneseason 5, part 2, but whether he actually does is another matter entirely.
Yellowstone
Cast
Yellowstone follows the Dutton family, led by patriarch John Dutton, as they defend their expansive ranch against external threats from land developers, an Indian reservation, and America’s first national park. Released on July 05, 2025, this series examines the complex dynamics and violent conflicts surrounding the largest contiguous ranch in the United States.
