Kevin Costner’s John Dutton III has been the cornerstone ofYellowstonesince the beginning, but that will all change in season 5, part 2. The Paramount Network neo-Western drama, created by Taylor Sheridan and John Linson, chronicles the lives ofthe Dutton family, led by John, in the present day. They own the Yellowstone Dutton Ranch in Montana, causing them to encounter drama and conflict from every angle.John has served as the family’s patriarch throughoutYellowstone’s five seasons,but someone will have to step up in season 5, part 2.
Reports claim thatYellowstonemight return for a sixth season, but as of the writing of this article, Paramount hasn’t validated these rumors.
As some may recall,the finale ofYellowstoneseason 5, part 1ended withJamie Dutton, John’s son, filing articles of impeachment against Costner’s character.John was elected the Governor of Montana during the season 5 premiere, and Jamie was sick of his father’s actions. So, heading intoYellowstoneseason 5, part 2, John was supposed to face the ire of his son and the possibility of getting kicked out of his political office. Unfortunately, real-world factors undoubtedly changed that storyline.
Kevin Costner Did Not Return For Yellowstone Season 5, Part 2
In May 2023, a few months following the season 5, part 1 finale, Paramount disclosed thatKevin Costner would leaveYellowstoneahead of season 5, part 2. Consequently, the actor won’t reprise his role as John Dutton III in the show’s last set of episodes.Several factors contributed to Costner’s exit,including rumored behind-the-scenes drama between Costner and Taylor Sheridan, scheduling conflicts, pay disputes, and creative differences.Yellowstonetakes a long time to film, and Costner seemingly wanted more time to work on other projects (likeHorizon: An American Saga).
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Emily
While speaking toDeadlinein May 2024,Costner touched on his exit fromYellowstone.From the actor’s perspective, it all essentially came down to failed contract negotiations between himself and the network. Costner explained:
“I made a contract for seasons five, six, and seven. In February, after a two- or three-month negotiation, they made another contract. They wanted to redo that one, and instead of seasons six and seven, it was 5A and 5B, and maybe we’ll do six. They weren’t able to make those.Horizonwas set in the middle, butYellowstonewas first position. I fit [Horizon] into the gaps. They just kept moving their gaps.”
Kevin Costner’s Yellowstone Season 5 Exit Isn’t That Bad Thanks To One Harsh Reality About John Dutton
Kevin Costner has been the star of Yellowstone for five years, but the modern Western could easily continue even after he is written out.
How Can John Dutton III’s Appear In Yellowstone Season 5, Part 2
Costner Appears In The Trailer
Despite Kevin Costner not filming any new scenes as John Dutton III, there’s a chance the character could appear in the show’s last set of episodes. Many shots ofCostner’s John are shown in theYellowstoneseason 5, part 2 trailer, indicating he’s still very much involved in the neo-Western drama’s story. The episodes couldfeature flashbacks featuring John or unused footagefrom the past six years. Whatever the case, Costner’s presence will undoubtedly be felt inYellowstoneseason 5, part 2.
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 July 11, 2025, this series examines the complex dynamics and violent conflicts surrounding the largest contiguous ranch in the United States.
