Kevin Costner Addresses ‘Yellowstone’ Exit with Gayle King: ‘This Isn’t Therapy’
Kevin Costner is finally opening up, albeit reluctantly, about his departure from “Yellowstone.”
The actor, who played Montana rancher John Dutton III in the first four and a half seasons of the acclaimed series, announced last week on Instagram that he wouldn’t be returning for Season 5, Part 2. This comes over a year after initial reports about his exit. As he promotes his newly released western epic “Horizon,” which he has been working on for over 30 years, Costner is facing questions about his departure from the show, including whether conflicts with creator Taylor Sheridan played a role.
During an interview with Gayle King on “CBS Mornings,” she noted that people have speculated about a potential power struggle between him and Sheridan, asking if he perceived it that way. Costner responded by emphasizing his early passion for the show, stating, “I loved the show before anybody,” and highlighted that it began with both him and Sheridan.
When King pressed on whether they were on good terms, he responded, “Well, this isn’t therapy, Gayle. We’re not going to discuss this on the show.” He asserted that he has always fulfilled his professional obligations.
Regarding the reason for his exit, Costner hinted that the show’s writing no longer resonated with him, echoing a sentiment he shared in a recent People cover story: “The scripts weren’t there.”
He also addressed previous comments from Sheridan, who suggested that “Horizon” became Costner’s main focus. Costner clarified, “’Horizon’ didn’t cause problems for me.” He explained that he aimed to balance both projects, stressing that “Yellowstone” was still a priority. “But it still had to line up,” he added, noting he had a large crew depending on him and had to work within tight deadlines.
