Kevin Costner Confirms His Yellowstone Fate After Shocking Exit

Originally appeared on E! Online

It's official: Kevin Costner will not be returning to the Dutton Ranch.

After more than a year of speculation that the actor had walked away from his hit series Yellowstone to focus on other professional projects, Costner finally confirmed he won't be returning as John Dutton III for part two of the Paramount series' fifth and final season.

"I just wanted to reach out and let you know that, after this long year-and-a-half of working on Horizon, and doing all the things that that's required," the 69-year-old said in a June 20 Instagram video, "and thinking about Yellowstone—that beloved series that I love, that I know you love—I just realized that I am not going to be able to continue season 5-B, or into the future."

However, the Oscar winner admitted he's forever grateful for the once-in-a-lifetime role as the patriarch of the fictional Montana ranching family.

"It was something that really changed me," Costner, who starred on the drama for four and a half seasons from 2018 to 2022, added. "I loved it, and I know you loved it. I just wanted to let you know that I won't be returning."

2024 TV Premiere Dates

More from E! Online

However, he hopes fans will follow him to the theaters when his new four-part Western film saga Horizon premieres June 28.

"I love the relationship we've been able to develop," Costner concluded, "and I'll see you at the movies."

The Hatfields & McCoys alum's announcement came one day after Paramount revealed the long-awaited second half of season five will debut Nov. 10.

Yellowstone, Kevin Costner
Paramount Network

Costner's rumored exit in early 2023 shocked not only fans, but his co-workers too. In fact, Yellowstone creator Tyler Sheridan admitted he didn't expect the actor to bow out early.

"I'm disappointed," Sheridan told The Hollywood Reporter last June. "It truncates the closure of his character. It doesn't alter it, but it truncates it."

"My last conversation with Kevin was that he had this passion project he wanted to direct," Sheridan added of his unexpected departure. "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."

Keep reading to see more actors who left hit TV shows unexpectedly.

Reneé Rapp, The Sex Lives of College Girls

Rene&eacute; Rapp, <I>The Sex Lives of College Girls</I>


Kevin Costner, Yellowstone

<p>Kevin Costner, <em>Yellowstone</em></p>


Ellen Pompeo, Grey's Anatomy

Ellen Pompeo, <I>Grey's Anatomy</I>


Henry Cavill, The Witcher

Henry Cavill, <i>The Witcher</I>


Jesse Lee Soffer, Chicago P.D.

Jesse Lee Soffer, <i>Chicago P.D.</I>


Damian Lewis, Billions

Damian Lewis, <i>Billions</i>

After five seasons, Damian Lewis departed Showtime's Billions in Oct. 2021.


Emily VanCamp, The Resident

Emily VanCamp, <i>The Resident</i>

In Aug. 2021, it was reported that Emily VanCamp hung up her stethoscope for good as she had exited Fox's The Resident.


Madeleine Mantock, Charmed

Madeleine Mantock, <i>Charmed</i>

One of the Charmed ones is saying goodbye. Madeleine Mantock, who has played eldest sister Macy for three seasons, is exiting the CW's Charmed reboot ahead of season four. She said it was her "difficult decision" to leave and thanked producers for supporting her choice.


Megan Boone, The Blacklist

Megan Boone, <i>The Blacklist</i>


Rege-Jean Page, Bridgerton

Rege-Jean Page, <i>Bridgerton</i>


Ruby Rose, Batwoman

Ruby Rose, <i>Batwoman</i>


America Ferrera, Superstore

America Ferrera, <i>Superstore</i>


Jason Ralph, The Magicians

Jason Ralph, <I>The Magicians</i>

In the season four finale of the Syfy series, Ralph's character Quentin completed his quest to save Eliot (Hale Appleman), but sacrificed himself in the process. While the show does feature dead characters—it's called The Magicians after all—Ralph did not return for the fifth and final season.


Emily Bett Rickards, Arrow

Emily Bett Rickards, <I>Arrow</i>

Ahead of the final season, Arrow's Rickards announced her exit in a poem of sorts.

"Felicity and I
are a very tight two
But after one through seven
we will be saying goodbye to you," she wrote.

She did, however, return for a guest appearance in the show's series finale.


Lauren Cohan, The Walking Dead

Lauren Cohan, <i>The Walking Dead</i>


Danai Gurira, The Walking Dead

Danai Gurira, <i>The Walking Dead</i>

Hot on the heels of Lauren Cohan and Andrew Lincoln bidding farewell to the zombie drama came Gurira's exit. After joining the AMC series in season three as the katana-wielding Michonne, she made her last appearance in a season 10 episode which aired in March 2020.


Nicollette Sheridan, Dynasty

Nicollette Sheridan, <i>Dynasty</i>

A recurring player in season one and series regular in season two, Sheridan starred as the iconic character Alexis Carrington. She announced plans to exit the CW reboot ahead of season three to spend time with her ailing mother.


George Eads, MacGyver

George Eads, <I>MacGyver</i>

Eads exited the CBS remake in 2019, midway through season three. At the time, he expressed his desire to leave and spend more time with his family.


Damon Wayans, Lethal Weapon

Damon Wayans, <i>Lethal Weapon</i>


Cameron Monaghan, Shameless

Cameron Monaghan, <i>Shameless</i>


Emmy Rossum, Shameless

Emmy Rossum, <i>Shameless</i>


Chelsea Peretti, Brooklyn Nine-Nine

Chelsea Peretti, <I>Brooklyn Nine-Nine</i>


Andrew Lincoln, The Walking Dead

Andrew Lincoln, <i>The Walking Dead</i>


Pauley Perrette, NCIS

Pauley Perrette, <i>NCIS</i>


Peacock is live now! Check out NBCU's streaming service here.