Is Kevin Costner leaving Yellowstone on the Paramount Network?

Yellowstone has been a fan-favorite since it aired, but especially as the seasons progressed. We now have the bittersweet news that the Paramount Network series is coming to an end after season 5. Is Kevin Costner leaving Yellowstone?

The Western drama stars Costner as John Dutton, Kelly Reilly as Beth Dutton, Luke Grimes as Kayce Dutton, Wes Bentley as Jamie Dutton, Cole Hauser as Rip Wheeler, Kelsey Asbille as Monica Long Dutton, among others.

Some kind of behind the scenes issues were happening since February that caused much confusion and mixed reports. But now we have some more clarity. Is the headlining actor leaving the drama series? We’ve got the answer for you below.

Is Kevin Costner leaving Yellowstone?

Based on a recent interview, it seems like Kevin Costner is leaving Yellowstone. In June 2023, showrunner Taylor Sheridan spoke with The Hollywood Reporter where he shared that the actor will most likely not come back. He seemed to hint that somehow the actor filmed some scenes, even though we know that filming on part 2 hasn’t even started yet. But here’s what he said:

"My last conversation with Kevin was that he had this passion project he wanted to direct. 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."

But since part 2 hasn’t even started filming yet, it’s not clear wheher Costner filmed those scenes that they were seemingly able to agree on. Whatever the case, the outlet does mention that there’s discussions to try and get Costner back for a few scenes to complete his character’s story.

The release date of Yellowstone season 5 part 2 has been delayed, and now we know the show will be back with the final six episodes in November 2024, per The Hollywood Reporter. However filming hasn’t yet started as of Aug. 30, 2023 due to the writers strike (now resolved) and the actors strike (still ongoing) in Hollywood.

A few months ago before the network confirmed season 5 would be the last, Deadline reported there was a possibility that the series would end due to scheduling conflicts between Costner and production, as he’s currently busy directing and acting in a new film, Horizon. According to the news outlet, Costner was asking to cut down shooting time with him participating for only a week of filming, which reportedly frustrated other cast members.

This is still allegedly why the series might be ending. However his attorney Marty Singer responded and said the actor asking to shoot season 5 for only one week is “an absolute lie,” per TVLine. At the time in February, the news outlet reached out to Paramount and the company responded they have “no news to report.”

However, Entertainment Weekly reported the opposite in terms of the show coming to an end. According to EW, the Paramount Network was not looking to conclude the Western drama just yet. The news outlet shared that a Paramount Network spokesperson told EW the following:

"We have no news to report. Kevin Costner is a big part of Yellowstone and we hope that’s the case for a long time to come."

Now we know Deadline has been right since February. The Paramount Network has seen great success with the drama’s two spin-offs, 1883 and 1923, and is looking to add an additional one as well. Creator of Yellowstone and its successors, Taylor Sheridan, is speaking with actor Matthew McConaughey to lead the next chapter in the Western world, which is confirmed to premiere in December 2023 on the Paramount Network.

Stay tuned to Hidden Remote as we bring you news and updates about Yellowstone season 5 part 2.