“A Kick in the Teeth”: Kevin Costner Feels Betrayed by Former Yellowstone Allies
Kevin Costner Reportedly Feels “Betrayed” by Yellowstone Co-Stars Following His Exit
Tensions are reportedly running high between Kevin Costner and his former Yellowstone castmates following his exit during the second half of Season 5. Once considered the heart of the hit Paramount series, Costner’s departure has allegedly created a rift between the actor and several co-stars who once praised his leadership and performance.
Starring in a cultural phenomenon like Yellowstone is often viewed as a golden opportunity in the television world. That’s why the cast’s silence after Costner’s unexpected departure has raised eyebrows. According to sources, actors including Wes Bentley, Kelly Reilly, Cole Hauser, and Luke Grimes have distanced themselves from the Oscar-winning actor and director. The unnamed insider claims many of them blame Costner for the show’s cancellation, accusing him of walking away before his character, John Dutton, could receive a proper send-off.
Fallout Behind the Scenes
In addition to his highly publicized divorce from Christine Baumgartner in 2023, Costner also experienced creative differences with Yellowstone creator Taylor Sheridan. The disagreement reportedly escalated to the point where legal teams got involved, halting direct communication between the two.
Sheridan spoke about the strained dynamic in an interview, expressing disappointment but stopping short of laying full blame on Costner:
“His creation of John Dutton is symbolic and powerful … and I’ve never had an issue with Kevin that he and I couldn’t work out on the phone. But once lawyers get involved, then people don’t get to talk to each other and start saying things that aren’t true and attempt to shift blame… I’m disappointed.”
The rest of the cast, according to insiders, was hoping for a sixth season. However, with Costner’s departure, those plans unraveled. The fallout reportedly left several cast members frustrated — not only with the cancellation but with Costner himself.
“He used to hear from Cole and the rest of the gang — but they’ve cut him loose in the months since he walked away from the show. They’re making no effort to see him and don’t get excited when he calls. They’ve drifted away,” the insider claimed.
Costner, who had grown accustomed to glowing praise from his co-stars, is reportedly feeling the emotional weight of the shift.
“After all that praise, you can imagine Kevin being a little hurt by their rejection. He’s getting the cold shoulder treatment. It’s a kick in the teeth.”
Luke Grimes Shows Support — With a Hint of Realism
Not everyone from the Yellowstone set appears to hold hard feelings. Luke Grimes, who plays Kayce Dutton (John Dutton’s son), addressed Costner’s exit in a more measured tone.
“Whatever happened there is unfortunate if it’s changed anything about how the show was going to unfold,” Grimes said.
He acknowledged that Costner had been busy with his personal passion projects — including Horizon: An American Saga, which is set to release soon — and offered a note of understanding:
“At a certain point, you gotta do what you gotta do, man. You gotta do what you love.”
Is the Door Still Open?
While Yellowstone will officially end with its fifth season, there’s still a possibility Costner could return to wrap up John Dutton’s storyline. He himself hinted that he’s open to returning if things align:
“I’d like to be able to do it but we haven’t been able to … I thought I was going to make seven [seasons] but right now we’re at five. So how it works out — I hope it does — but they’ve got a lot of different shows going on. Maybe it will.”
Despite his long-standing reputation as a respected figure in Hollywood, the alleged fallout with his former co-stars appears to have taken a personal toll on Costner — a sobering turn for someone once seen as the unshakable anchor of Yellowstone.
