Kevin Costner.
Matt Winkelmeyer/WireImagekevin costner not on yellowstone Now, but he still has some thoughts about the direction the show took his character, John Dutton, after his exit.
The Oscar winner confirmed his departure from the Paramount Network drama in June 2024 after months of speculation about whether he would appear in the final episode of Season 5.
“After this long year and a half of work horizon And to do all the things that are necessary, and to think about yellowstone“That’s the beloved series I love and I know you love it too,” Costner began in a video shared via social media at the time. “I just realized that I won’t be able to continue in Season 5B or in the future. It was something that really changed me. I loved it. And I know you liked it. I just wanted to let you know that I will not be returning. I love the relationship we’ve been able to develop, and I’ll see you in the movies.”
Rumors about Costner’s departure began in early 2023 after the conclusion of Season 5A. Reports circulated that there were differences with Costner. yellowstone co-producer taylor sheridan At the time of production, which overlapped with filming on Costner’s four-part horizon Film saga. The two denied any friction, but Sheridan later said he was “disappointed” that Costner had no interest in continuing the show.

Kevin Costner.
Paramount NetworkWhile Sheridan stated in June 2023 that he does not “f— you car crashes” in his writing, he still killed John Dutton in the season 5B premiere, albeit not in a car crash. In the November 10, 2024 episode, fans immediately learned that John was murdered by a hitman hired by Sarah Atwood (don olivieriThe hit man staged the scene to look like a suicide, but Beth (Kelly Reilly) and Kayas (Luke Grimes) immediately suspected that all was not as it seemed.
Meanwhile, Costner claims he hasn’t seen the episode, but he’s been sharing his thoughts on it since it aired. Keep scrolling for everything she said about John’s death:
not that interested
The day after the season 5B premiere aired, Costner said he was unaware that the first episode without him had finally premiered. “I will be completely honest. I didn’t know it was actually airing last night,” he said during an interview on SiriusXM on November 11, 2024. michael smarkonish program“This is the moment of the oath to God. I’m seeing ads with my face everywhere and thinking, ‘Hey, I’m not in them.’ But I didn’t realize it was yesterday.”
He said he has not seen the episode but has heard what happened, quipping, “I heard it’s a suicide, so I don’t want to rush out to watch it.”
appreciation of writers

Costner praised it in the same interview yellowstone team to always make good stories – and hinted that he knew John’s “suicide” might not be what it seemed. “They’re pretty smart people,” he said. “Maybe it’s a red herring. Who knows? They are very good. And they’ll figure it out.”
congratulations to the fans
As the second episode of Season 5B was airing, Costner shared his thoughts on fans’ reaction to John’s fate. “Fans have a voice in things, and they choose to follow things,” he told E! news On 17 November 2024.
The actor further said that he had told Sheridan about John’s death “some time ago”, but that he had no say in what would happen now. “They do what they want to do,” he said. “That’s fine with me.”
no ideas
During the interview on November 17, 2024 entertainment tonightCostner confirmed that he still has not seen the episode where John dies. He quipped, “I haven’t seen it, so I don’t really have any thoughts about it.”
let it go
Costner doubles down on his lack of feelings for her yellowstone coming to an end.
“I’m not thinking about it [the Yellowstone finale]I don’t think I’ve given it any thought,” he said in a video obtained by daily Mail On 18 December. “We’ll let it go.”