Kevin Costner Was Right About the Duttons’ Fate in Yellowstone
Kevin Costner Was Right About the Duttons’ Fate in Yellowstone
During its run, Yellowstone became one of the most popular shows on television. While the series ended on a relatively strong note, its final season faced several behind-the-scenes challenges. One of Yellowstone‘s greatest strengths was its cast, particularly the Dutton family, who remained the heart of the story throughout all five seasons.
However, midway through season 5, Kevin Costner—who portrayed patriarch John Dutton—left the series. As the central figure in Taylor Sheridan’s expansive Yellowstone universe, John Dutton played a pivotal role in shaping the ranch, the narrative, and the show’s moral compass. While the Duttons were framed as protagonists, they were anything but traditional heroes.
Kevin Costner Believes the Duttons Belong Behind Bars
Despite leading the family on-screen, Kevin Costner has been candid about his thoughts on the Duttons’ ultimate fate. Reflecting on the show’s themes and characters, Costner said:
“Well, it’s modern-day ranching. Yellowstone was able to capture that really so beautifully. I mean, it’s a bit of a soap opera. I mean, we all should be in prison.”
Costner’s comment isn’t just tongue-in-cheek—it highlights the morally compromised nature of the Dutton family. From manipulation and violence to outright criminal acts, the Duttons consistently operated outside the bounds of the law. Costner’s idea of them ending up in prison feels not only plausible but arguably deserved. And while such an ending would have dramatically reshaped Sheridan’s universe, it also might have offered a more grounded conclusion to their story.
Costner’s Departure Left a Void in the Final Season
Costner’s exit from Yellowstone before the second half of season 5 created significant shifts in the story. With John Dutton killed off-screen, the remaining characters—Beth, Kayce, and Rip—had to carry the narrative through the final episodes. While fans were disappointed by his absence, Costner explained his decision during an interview on The Rich Eisen Show. He shared his desire to pursue other projects, particularly Horizon: An American Saga, saying:
“I kept Yellowstone in, but it needed to stay on course. It needed to have an exact amount of time so I could go on to do other things.”
Why Yellowstone’s Flawed Characters Made It Great
One of Yellowstone‘s most compelling features was its morally gray characters. Few, if any, of the main characters could be classified as purely good—or purely evil. This complexity invited audiences to sympathize with people making unethical, even violent, choices in the name of family, loyalty, and survival.
This nuance is part of what made Yellowstone such a cultural phenomenon. While Kevin Costner may have stepped away, his perspective on the Duttons’ fate underscores the deeper tension that made the show so compelling: How long can you protect your land and legacy before the consequences catch up?
