“Yellowstone Star Reveals John Dutton’s Absence Was Inevitable Ending”

Many fans are still grappling with the fact that Kevin Costner won’t be returning for the second half of Yellowstone’s final season. After the first eight episodes aired in early 2023, the concluding six episodes are set to premiere this November without Costner’s iconic portrayal of John Dutton. However, as one of the show’s key stars, Kelly Reilly, revealed in an interview with Entertainment Weekly, this absence was always intended as part of the story’s conclusion.

Reilly discussed the potential impact of Costner’s departure, emphasizing that it aligned with showrunner Taylor Sheridan’s original vision for the series. This raises questions about how the show will address John Dutton’s absence, especially after his recent ascension to governor of Montana. While Reilly hinted at a possible time jump, she remained tight-lipped about the specifics, stating, “The absence was part of the ending. That’s not something that we had to pivot; that was already written into the tapestry of the story. It was always going to happen, it just happened a little bit differently.”

When news of Costner’s exit broke, various reports suggested it was due to scheduling conflicts and his hefty paycheck, but the actor later clarified that many of these rumors were inaccurate. He expressed disappointment that no one defended him amid the controversy surrounding his departure. Costner is also focused on launching his own Western film franchise, starting with Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 1.

As Yellowstone continues its journey, the franchise is expanding with two prequels, 1883 and 1927, the latter of which will feature Harrison Ford and Helen Mirren in its second season. A sequel spinoff titled The Madison is in the works, featuring a new family and a star-studded cast, including Michelle Pfeiffer, Patrick J. Adams, and Matthew Fox, with Kurt Russell reportedly in talks to join.

While there’s potential for a sixth season of Yellowstone, with stars Kelly Reilly and Cole Hauser in negotiations to return, it seems unlikely that Costner will reprise his role. His commitment to Horizon suggests that chapter has closed, even as interest in his Western saga continues to grow.