Kevin Costner Declares He Won’t Return to Yellowstone: ‘It Truly Transformed Me’
After months of speculation about his future on Yellowstone, Kevin Costner has officially confirmed he will not be returning to the series.
At 69 years old, Costner has portrayed the lead role of ranch owner John Dutton since the show premiered in 2018. Created by Taylor Sheridan, Yellowstone centers on the lives of ranchers and land developers in rural Montana.
Costner’s exit from the series in 2023 led to the decision to wrap up the show, much to Sheridan’s disappointment. The final episodes of Season 5 are set to be released this November.
In February, reports suggested behind-the-scenes tensions between Sheridan and Costner contributed to the actor’s departure. Just a few months ago, Costner hinted he might still return, but he has now definitively ruled out any comeback.
In a recent video shared on his Instagram, captioned “An update for you guys. I’ll see you at the movies,” Costner discussed his decision following a year and a half of working on his own Western film, Horizon, which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival.
“I want to reach out and let you know that after this long year and a half of working on Horizon and reflecting on Yellowstone, a series I hold dear and know you do too, I’ve realized I won’t be able to continue with Season 5B or beyond,” he said. “It was an experience that truly changed me. I loved it, and I appreciate the relationship we’ve built. I’ll see you at the movies.”
Although Yellowstone faced mixed reviews at first, it has grown into one of the most successful television shows in recent years.
