Kevin Costner Hints at 'Yellowstone' Return: "There's Always a Chance"

Kevin Costner, known for his iconic portrayal of John Dutton in Yellowstone, confirmed in June 2024 that he won't be returning to the show's fifth and final season. Keep scrolling for everything that's happened behind the scenes of the hit show.

Why fans love Kevin Costner in 'Yellowstone'

Fans of Yellowstone have been captivated by Costner’s portrayal of the rugged and determined John Dutton since the series debuted in 2018. Costner's performance has been praised for bringing depth and authenticity to the character, making Dutton a compelling and relatable figure. His work on the show has not gone unnoticed. He earned a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a Television Series – Drama in 2023. The series has garnered a massive following, with its blend of intense drama, stunning landscapes and strong performances.

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Kevin Costner’s commitment to 'Yellowstone'

"I’ve supported that thing and I’ve loved it," Costner shared on TODAY about the show. "It's been really important to me. I would love to go back under the right circumstances I think that all of us want. For me, it really needs to be the right circumstances."

Costner emphasized a possibility of his return at the time, saying, "There's always a chance. I love the thing. You’ve got to be really clear about that."

Having played Dutton for five seasons, Costner revealed to Deadline in May that he originally had a contract for seasons five, six and seven. However, after lengthy negotiations, this agreement modified to cover just seasons 5A and 5B.

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Challenges in filming 'Yellowstone' season 5

The first part of season five aired in 2022, with Costner telling Deadline that he honored his contractual obligations. But they did not film the second half of season five due to the absence of a script.

"Number one, I did it for five years, OK, and I want to work more than once a year," Costner explained on TODAY. "We lost an entire year at one point and I thought, 'Well that can’t ever happen again.' It was well over a year."

He added, "And I said, 'I just have to be in position to make the things.' There’s a chance to do both of them, but material has to be ready at certain times, and we weren’t able to do that."

Costner was only willing to film for a week for the latter part of season five, according to reports from Deadline and Variety. In February 2023, Paramount stated, “Kevin Costner is a big part of ‘Yellowstone’ and we hope that’s the case for a long time to come.”

What’s next for Kevin Costner?

Costner confirmed via social media that he would not be returning to the show after months of speculation.

"I just want 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's required and thinking about Yellowstone, that beloved series that I love — that I know you love," Costner said. "I just realized that I'm not going to be able to continue Season 5b or into the future."

"It was something that really changed me," he continued. "I loved it, and I know you loved it. 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."

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