Summary
It’s confirmed — Kevin Costner will not be returning as John Dutton III inYellowstoneseason 5, part 2, despite the reported efforts to make it happen, and I couldn’t be more happy about it. After five seasons and 53 episodes (counting the second half of season 5), the neo-Western drama television series, created by Taylor Sheridan and John Linson, is coming to an end.TheYellowstonefranchise will live on via its many spinoffs, butwe must say goodbye to several beloved characters in season 5, part 2, including Costner’s John Dutton.However, his exit will have to happen offscreen.
Following the announcement of Costner’s controversial exit from the series, many hoped he could still appear, even just for a cameo, inYellowstoneseason 5, part 2. But after a year of back and forth, I’m glad the speculation has ended.Costner reportedly wanted to return forYellowstoneseason 5, part 2, and seemingly couldn’t make it happen. However, months passed without any confirmation regarding whether the actor would reprise his role as John Dutton or not. Now,we know definitively that the final episodes ofYellowstonewon’t feature Costner,and I’m more than okay with that.
Kevin Costner’s Yellowstone Exit Explained: Why He’s Left The Show
Kevin Costner Wasn’t Happy With The Show’s Schedule
Rumors ofKevin Costner exitingYellowstonestarted popping up in February 2023, a month after the finale of season 5, part 1, before it was confirmed in May of the same year. The reasons behind his departure were muddled, but as time went on, the truth was brought to light.Costner andYellowstoneshowrunner Taylor Sheridan allegedly argued over the show’s demanding and ever-changing schedule.The actor wanted time to work on other projects (like his four-part epic Western dramaHorizon: An American Saga) instead of givingYellowstonehis sole focus. Consequently, thebehind-the-scenesYellowstonedramaled to Costner’s exit.
Despite the actor’s original intention to leave the Paramount Network neo-Western drama television series,reports claimed that Costner wanted to return forYellowstoneseason 5, part 2, and was trying to negotiate with the producers in early 2024. Of course, this caused confusion and speculation concerning the details behind his potential appearance. Nevertheless,Costner confirmed he wouldn’t return toYellowstonein a videohe posted on social media in June 2024. So, aftera tiring year of wondering if Costner would star in the final batch of episodes,the discussion surrounding his return can be laid to rest.
New Yellowstone Spinoff Casting Is The Perfect Follow-Up To 18-Year-Old Crime Drama That Botched 2 Series Endings
Paramount+ announced that one actor is joining the cast of a Yellowstone spinoff, and the star’s history has prepared them well for their new show.
Kevin Costner’s Return Talk Was Overshadowing Yellowstone Season 5, Part 2
Now We Can Focus On The Actual Show
While the prospect of Kevin Costner reprising his roleinYellowstoneseason 5, part 2, was initially exciting, it soon got old. The mystery of his status on the show dragged on for what felt like forever. Many were alsofocused on the “what ifs” and “maybes” regarding Costner’s involvement instead of getting hyped for the actual series.Now, we can move on from the Costner drama and turn our attention to the neo-Western drama’s final episodes. Yes, John Dutton (at least, the present version of the character) won’t appear, but everyone else will, which is honestly more important.
Yellowstone Season 5, Part 2 Doesn’t Really Need Kevin Costner
John Dutton Isn’t Central To Yellowstone’s Storyline Anymore
At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter that Kevin Costner won’t be a part ofYellowstoneseason 5, part 2. I’m sure that others will agree with me when I say thatthe show contains several storylines outside John Dutton’s character that are way more entertainingthan the ones involving him. For example, the neo-Western drama still needs to resolve Jamie Dutton and Beth Dutton’s conflict, Rip Wheeler’s fate, what the future holds for Kaycee Dutton and Monica Long Dutton, and more. John Dutton is simply no longer the most interesting or importantcharacter inYellowstone.
Yes, Costner gave some hope that his involvement in season 5, part 2, was possible, but now that we can conclusively say that it isn’t, everyone can move on and focus on the upcoming six episodes.
Of course, it would be ideal if Costner was able to give closure to his character inYellowstoneseason 5, part 2. However, we have known that the actor probably wouldn’t appear in the final episodes for over a year. Fans have hadmore than enough time to accept thatYellowstonewould conclude without Costner or John Dutton.Yes, Costner gave some hope that his involvement in season 5, part 2, was possible, but now that we can conclusively say that it isn’t, everyone can move on and focus on the upcoming six episodes.
Yellowstone’s Season 6 Replacement Just Got A Lot More Exciting
The Yellowstone universe will not end after the season 5 finale, and reports about the show’s upcoming replacement continue to prove that.
How Yellowstone Can Write Out Kevin Costner’s John Dutton
The Writers Have Many Options To Explain John Dutton’s Absence
Since it has been a year and a half since theYellowstoneseason 5, part 1 finale aired, fans have had time to contemplate how Taylor Sheridan and the other writers will end Kevin Costner’s character’s story. The first possibility is thatJohn Dutton could die inYellowstone, which would have to happen offscreen, of course. He might be murdered, get into an accident, or his colon cancer could return and kill him. The patriarch could also be away from the Yellowstone Dutton Ranch for some believable reason for the duration of the show’s last six episodes. Ora time jump could explain John Dutton’s absence.
Yellowstoneseason 5, part 2 is expected to premiere on August 09, 2025.
Whatever the case, the upcoming batch of episodes should contain a reasonable explanation as to why John Dutton is nowhere to be found in season 5, part 2. Sheridan has proven himself to be an excellent writer, after all. Additionally, the writers and producers have had a long time to decide how to handle Costner’s exit from the Paramount Network neo-Western drama series. Ultimately,Yellowstoneseason 5 is better off without Kevin Costner’s John Dutton, and I’m looking forward to seeing what the final episodes have in store for the other characters.
Yellowstone
Cast
Yellowstone follows the Dutton family, led by patriarch John Dutton, as they defend their expansive ranch against external threats from land developers, an Indian reservation, and America’s first national park. Released on August 25, 2025, this series examines the complex dynamics and violent conflicts surrounding the largest contiguous ranch in the United States.
