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Kevin Costner is riding off into the sunset — at least when it comes to Yellowstone.
Fans of the hit series have watched Costner's character, John Dutton, lead the Dutton family ranch through chaos and conflict for five seasons. Now, in its final stretch, the show has taken a dramatic turn that says goodbye to its patriarch once and for all.
The exit has stirred plenty of buzz, and not just because of how the show handled the beloved character's departure — which was revealed in the season 5B premiere in November 2024 — but also because of the rumors swirling around Costner's off-screen drama with the show's creator, Taylor Sheridan.
Let's get into the on and off-screen drama below.
What Happened to John Dutton?
Spoilers ahead for Yellowstone season 5, episode 9.
The final season picks up with a bold move: John is no longer in the picture. The latest episode, which aired Sunday, November 10, revealed his shocking fate, as the Dutton clan finds themselves reeling from his sudden loss. The episode opens with Beth Dutton (Kelly Reilly) arriving at John's home, only to find police swarming the property. After she rushes inside, Beth and her brother Kayce Dutton (Luke Grimes) discover their father dead, surrounded by signs that imply he may have died by suicide.
Beth, however, isn't buying it. She immediately blames her brother Jamie Dutton (Wes Bentley), who's been at odds with John for most of the season. However, throughout the episode, the show drops hints that the situation may be more complicated than it seems, leading fans to wonder: Was it really suicide, or was there something darker at play?
What's Going On With Kevin Costner?
Costner's sudden exit wasn't just a plot twist — it was allegedly fueled by some off-screen tension. After years of leading Yellowstone, the 69-year-old actor had a falling out with Sheridan, 55. The friction came to a head last year when Costner's schedule for his new film series, Horizon (in which he serves as director, producer, writer, and actor), clashed with Yellowstone's filming demands.
"My last conversation with Kevin was that he had this passion project he wanted to direct," Sheridan told the Hollywood Reporter in June 2023. "He and the network were arguing about when he could be done with Yellowstone. I said, 'We can certainly work a schedule toward [his preferred exit date],' which we did."
However, earlier this year in May, Costner revealed to Deadline that Yellowstone had "first position" at the top of his agenda. "I didn't do Horizon because I was tired of doing Yellowstone. That's a bull**** story," he said. "I didn't do Horizon to compete with Yellowstone. This [project] is something I've had a long time."
Costner added, "I was straight up with [Taylor Sheridan], and he said what we would do, and I believed him — and we didn't get there."
Rumors also circulated that Costner limited his availability for Yellowstone, allegedly offering to work just one week to complete his scenes. However, Costner's attorney Marty Singer was quick to squash these claims, calling it "an absolute lie."
"The idea that Kevin was only willing to work one week on the second half of season 5 of Yellowstone is an absolute lie. It's ridiculous — and anyone suggesting it shouldn't be believed for one second," Singer said in a statement to Entertainment Tonight. "As everyone who knows anything about Kevin is well aware, he is incredibly passionate about the show and has always gone way above and beyond to ensure its success."
Costner officially confirmed he was leaving the show in June. "After this long year and a half of working on Horizon, doing all of the things that that's required, and thinking about Yellowstone, that beloved series that I love, that I know you love, I just realized that I'm not going to be able to continue season 5B, or into the future," the Oscar winner revealed in an Instagram video at the time. "It was something that really changed me. I loved it, and I know you loved it. And I just wanted to let you know that I won't be returning. I love the relationship we've been able to develop, and I'll see you at the movies."
As for Sheridan, he's candid about the shift. "I'm disappointed," the hitmaker admitted. "It truncates the closure of his character. It doesn't alter it, but it truncates it."
Could Yellowstone Continue?
Even with John gone, the Yellowstone story might not be over. Rumors are circulating about a potential sixth season or spinoff series that could follow some of the fan-favorite characters. Sheridan has already expanded the Yellowstone universe with prequels like 1883 and 1923, so who's to say he doesn't have more up his sleeve?
For now, fans are left to tune in and see how the Dutton family moves forward without their leader.
Yellowstone airs Sundays at 8 p.m. on Paramount Network.
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