Kevin Costner Makes 'Yellowstone' Decision Official
Fans of Yellowstone have been waiting with bated breath for the final half-season of Paramount Network's hit neo-Western. Finally, the two-year wait is almost over. Season 5B is production and the feuding, backstabbing and jaw-dropping scenery will return to screens very soon—Sunday, Nov 10 to be exact. With the premiere date branded onto calendars, there's one Montana-sized question left to answer: Will Kevin Costner's John Dutton return for the show's swan song?
The premiere date release spurred Costner to break news on Instagram that will come as no surprise to those following the bitter behind-the-scenes battle between Taylor Sheridan, Paramount and the show's star. But the finality still stings a bit.
Kevin Costner's statement on the return on Yellowstone
“Hi everyone," Costner opened his Instagram post before sharing the disappointing news. "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 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.
Related: Get the Scoop on Yellowstone's Finale Premiere
“It was something that really changed me. I loved it, and I know you loved it,” he continued. “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.”
Yellowstone, like many series, was thrown into a bit of chaos by the Hollywood strikes in 2023, when production was originally slated to begin. On top of that, Costner was producing his own film, Horizon, and negotiations failed to get him back on the Yellowstone set.
Costner portrayed John Dutton, the patriarch of the series. It's unclear, how Sheridan will write the character out or if the show will move forward in time. Fans will just have to wait until Nov. 10 to find out.
