Kevin Costner’s Condition for Returning as John Dutton in Yellowstone
It’s hard to envision the second half of “Yellowstone” Season 5 being any more tumultuous than it already is. After the airing of Season 5A in 2022, Taylor Sheridan’s hugely popular Western series faced significant challenges. The Hollywood strikes in 2023, coupled with Kevin Costner’s dissatisfaction with the shooting schedule, left the fate of Season 5B uncertain. Costner, who portrays ranch owner John Dutton, expressed that his commitment to “Horizon,” a series of Western films that he passionately developed, prevented him from dedicating time to “Yellowstone.” He stated that he hadn’t received any scripts for the remaining episodes and chose to step away from the show rather than wait for clarity on the movie’s production, which ultimately flopped at the box office.
However, this narrative represents only one perspective. Paramount and Sheridan argued that Costner’s dedication to the “Horizon” films complicated their ability to plan for the second half of Season 5, contributing to the delays. The ongoing conflict between the actor and the production team suggested that reconciliation was unlikely, especially after Paramount announced that Season 5B would serve as the series’ final episodes.
In the wake of this, key cast members Kelly Reilly and Cole Hauser have reportedly engaged in discussions to lead a potential sixth season of “Yellowstone.” While nothing has been officially confirmed, the possibility of the show continuing without Costner looms. Fans are eagerly anticipating how Sheridan will conclude Season 5B without its central star. The episodes, which have already been filmed, are set to premiere on November 10, 2024, with many speculating that John Dutton may meet his demise before the season ends. Interestingly, it appears that Sheridan could have kept the character alive, as Costner is reportedly open to returning to the series that helped establish its massive success.
