“Surprising Twist: Yellowstone May Not Be Cancelled After All”

The future of Yellowstone might have just taken an unexpected turn.

Taylor Sheridan’s acclaimed series is set to end earlier than planned later this year with the release of the second half of season five, following lead actor Kevin Costner’s decision to exit the show.

Initially, it was reported that Costner’s departure was due to scheduling conflicts with his ambitious Western project, Horizon – An American Saga. However, Costner has since contested these claims, suggesting that the real reasons for his exit were more complex.

At the time of the initial announcement regarding Costner’s departure, there were rumors that Yellowstone would continue in the form of a new sequel series featuring several returning cast members. However, Variety has recently suggested that the series might persist in its current form, albeit without Costner.

Sources indicate that Kelly Reilly and Cole Hauser, who play Beth Dutton and Rip Wheeler respectively, are in discussions to take on leading roles in the show.

Costner will not appear in the concluding segment of Yellowstone’s fifth season, scheduled to air in November. Earlier this year, Costner addressed speculation about his departure during an interview with the Today Show. He clarified that while there were rumors about conflicts with Sheridan over scheduling issues, his main concern was the show’s inconsistent production schedule, which often delayed filming despite his readiness.

“I did it for five years, and I wanted to work more frequently,” Costner said. “We lost an entire year at one point, and I thought, that can’t happen again.” He added, “Material has to be ready at specific times, and we weren’t able to meet that schedule. After five years, I decided it was time to move on.”

Costner expressed a desire to return to Yellowstone under “the right circumstances,” emphasizing that his commitment to the show and his affection for it remain strong. “I’ve supported it and loved it,” he said. “It’s been really important to me. I would love to return if the conditions are right. That’s what all of us want.”

He also shared his disappointment that the production team did not defend him more robustly when media reports suggested he was the reason behind the show’s premature end.