“Luke Grimes Reacts to Kevin Costner’s Yellowstone Exit and Hints at Surprising Changes for Season 5 Finale”
Luke Grimes Revisits Kevin Costner’s Yellowstone Exit, Hints at Surprising Season 5 Finale
Luke Grimes has shifted his stance regarding Kevin Costner’s departure from their hit show, Yellowstone. The actor, who plays Kayce Dutton, previously described Costner’s exit as “unfortunate,” but now expresses confidence in the show’s ability to thrive without his character, John Dutton.
With the highly anticipated second half of Yellowstone‘s fifth season set to premiere on November 10—without Costner—Grimes spoke to Newsweek. He noted, “It would be unfair of me to comment on the situation too much because the show has had such a long history and many complexities that I’m not privy to. All I can say is, what happened has happened, and we’ve adapted.”
He hinted at a compelling conclusion for the season, stating, “I think it will be very satisfying. The ending of a great show should be both unpredictable and fulfilling.”
In April, Grimes had expressed concern about the impact of Costner’s exit on the show, citing rumored tensions between Costner and showrunner Taylor Sheridan. He acknowledged that Costner’s commitments to his passion projects, including the two-part Western Horizon, played a significant role in the actor’s decision to leave. “At a certain point, you have to prioritize what you love,” Grimes added.
Costner officially departed the series in May 2023, after insiders revealed that his focus on Horizon had been a source of frustration for Sheridan and had affected morale among the cast. This exit followed a tumultuous period marked by confusion about Costner’s future on the show.
Paramount confirmed that the series would conclude with the second half of the fifth season. Originally slated for November 2023, the release date was pushed back due to industry strikes, now set for November 10, 2024.
Sheridan expressed disappointment over Costner’s departure, suggesting it creatively impacted the show. “It truncates the closure of his character,” he remarked, though he emphasized that his respect for Costner as an actor remains unchanged.
While Sheridan downplayed rumors of tension, he acknowledged that legal matters complicated communication between him and Costner. He said, “Once lawyers get involved, it changes the dynamics, and things can get misrepresented.”
Costner has also hinted at a potential return for the series’ final season, stating, “I’d like to do it, but we haven’t been able to make it work.” He shared that he has ideas about his character’s fate but ultimately defers to Sheridan’s vision.
As fans await the season’s conclusion, Grimes’ comments suggest that Yellowstone will continue to captivate its audience, even in the wake of its star’s departure.
