Kevin Costner, star of the hit television series “Yellowstone,” confirmed in an Instagram video that he will not be returning to the show, ending rumors of a potential comeback following reports of behind-the-scenes drama between himself and show creator Taylor Sheridan. Costner cited his work on the upcoming film series “Horizon: An American Saga” as the reason for his departure, stating he will not be able to continue filming the second part of “Yellowstone” season 5.
Last year, Costner took a step back from his role in “Yellowstone” due to scheduling conflicts with his “Horizon” film series. Rumors began circulating earlier this year that the show might come to an end sooner than expected, with or without Costner, after reports of clashes between him and Sheridan over various issues. In May, it was reported that Costner would not be returning to the show after season 5, which was later confirmed by Paramount Network.
“Yellowstone” has been a massive success, winning Costner a Golden Globe Award and becoming the most-watched non-sports television program of the 2022-2023 season. The show has also inspired spinoff series such as “1883” and “1923,” with more series in the franchise planned for the future. Despite its popularity, the show has faced criticism for catering to a conservative, “red state” audience, an accusation that Sheridan has refuted.
Costner’s departure from “Yellowstone” comes as a disappointment to fans of the show and the actor himself, who expressed frustration with the way his exit was handled. Despite his successful tenure on the series and his considerable earnings per episode, Costner faced challenges with the production schedule and financial constraints due to his involvement in the “Horizon” film series.
The second part of “Yellowstone” season 5 is set to premiere without Costner on November 10 on Paramount. Fans will have to wait and see how the show continues without its lead actor and what the future holds for the “Yellowstone” franchise as a whole.
