The end of “Yellowstone” has been confirmed with two significant developments. First, Entertainment Tonight exclusively reported earlier this week that Kevin Costner will not return to the series. On May 5th, it was officially announced that the show will conclude with its fifth season, with the second half of the season set to air this fall.
The immensely popular contemporary Western series on Paramount went on hiatus in the fall of 2022 during the first part of its fifth season. Since its debut in 2018, the show has been a showcase for Costner, focusing on his character, John Dutton, an aging Montana magnate who battles to protect the power and influence of his extensive ranch. However, reports of friction between Costner and showrunner Taylor Sheridan have surfaced over recent months, covered by media outlets such as Puck and Deadline. These reports suggested that Sheridan and the network were contemplating ending “Yellowstone” while launching a series of spinoffs, including a sequel series rumored to feature Matthew McConaughey.
The news is now official. “’Yellowstone’ has been the cornerstone on which we have launched an entire universe of global hits – from ‘1883’ to ‘Tulsa King,’” Chris McCarthy, President & CEO of Showtime and MTV Entertainment Studios, stated. “I am confident our ‘Yellowstone’ sequel will be another big hit, thanks to the brilliant creative mind of Taylor Sheridan and our incredible casts who bring these shows to life.”
Previous reports highlighted issues with Costner’s shooting schedule. While the first half of Season 5 was filmed and aired, according to Puck’s Matthew Belloni, the show was on hold awaiting clarity on Costner’s availability for the second part. “’Yellowstone’ is really in limbo right now until they can figure out whether Costner is coming back or, more likely, whether he’s going to be written out of the show,” Belloni told ET. “Once that determination is made, they can finish writing the second half of this season, shoot it, and it will likely air in the fall.”
In February, Costner’s lawyer denied the rumor that the two-time Oscar winner only wanted to work for a single week on the latter half of Season 5. “It’s ridiculous—and anyone suggesting it shouldn’t be believed for one second,” veteran attorney Marty Singer told Entertainment Tonight. Several “Yellowstone” stars have publicly discussed the tension between Costner and Sheridan, including Josh Lucas, who noted the pressures faced by both a major movie star and a brilliant writer in making the show.
Other actors, like Dawn Olivieri, Wendy Moniz, and Lainey Wilson, have downplayed the rumors and emphasized that they were unsure about the show’s future. The discord was particularly noticeable when Costner, Sheridan, and many key figures associated with “Yellowstone” were absent from a PaleyFest panel in April.
Paramount has heavily invested in Sheridan and the “Yellowstone” franchise. The prequel series “1883,” starring Sam Elliott and Faith Hill, premiered in December 2021, followed by another prequel, “1923,” with Helen Mirren and Harrison Ford, which began in December 2022. Both series explore different generations of the Dutton family from “Yellowstone,” with additional spinoffs, such as “6666,” set in West Texas, also in development.
Meanwhile, Costner is focusing on directing and starring in his own period Western, “Horizon: An American Saga,” alongside Robert Legato, with co-stars including Abbey Lee, Jena Malone, and Sam Worthington. He is also producing several television shows, including “One Giant Leap” and “The Gray House.”
The announcement of Costner’s departure from “Yellowstone” coincides with the news that his wife, Christine, has filed for divorce after 18 years of marriage. The couple has three children, aged 12 to 15.
