“Yellowstone Star Criticizes Kevin Costner Amid Final Season Drama”
Luke Grimes Hints at On-Set Tensions with Kevin Costner Amid Yellowstone Exit
In a new interview, Yellowstone star Luke Grimes appeared to throw subtle—but pointed—shade at his former co-star Kevin Costner, suggesting that behind-the-scenes drama may have been more intense than fans realized.
Costner’s unexpected departure from the hit Paramount series was confirmed in June 2023 after months of speculation. In a video posted to Instagram, the actor officially announced he would not return for the second half of season 5 or any future episodes, stating, “Thinking about Yellowstone, I just realized I’m not going to be able to continue season 5B or into the future.”
His exit followed widespread reports of growing tension on set. According to sources from Deadline, Costner limited his shooting time to just 65 days for the entire season—and reportedly only wanted to commit to one week of filming for season 5B. This reportedly caused friction with series creator Taylor Sheridan, who had to work around the actor’s restricted availability.
Now, Grimes is opening up about the atmosphere on set following Costner’s departure—and his comments speak volumes.
“To be really honest, there was a part of Kevin being gone that meant some of the conflict was gone,” Grimes admitted. “Obviously, it didn’t make it super fun to be around. Not pointing any fingers, but it was actually the easiest season we’ve filmed.”
Grimes’ remarks suggest that Costner’s limited involvement may have created challenges not just for the production team, but for the cast as well. His departure, it seems, brought a noticeable shift in the work environment—one that Grimes found to be more positive and efficient.
While many fans will undoubtedly miss Costner’s portrayal of John Dutton in the final season, it sounds like his co-stars weren’t exactly mourning his absence on set. With fewer scheduling complications and a more collaborative environment, the last stretch of filming may have been smoother than ever.
