Yellowstone has begun explaining what happened to Kevin Costner’s character John Dutton following the actor’s shock departure from the Neo-Western series. Season 5, Episode 9 titled “Desire Is All You Need” revealed that John Dutton is indeed dead. The twist didn’t surprise many, as reports had stated that Kevin, 69, had completely severed ties with the production after a feud with series creator Taylor Sheridan. Unless they were ready to make nice with the Waterworld actor or replace a major character, à la Daario Naharis in Game of Thrones, there weren’t really any other options for the writers.
The episode opens with the big reveal to the audience, first building tension with John ignoring a phone call, then driving home that something bad has gone down as Kayce passes police tape to see a body double of Kevin Costner lying face down and finally a confirmation via press conference to seal his fate. The remainder of the series will focus on the aftermath of John’s death and the continuation of the other characters’ storylines, likely with heavier emphasis.
Kevin Costner Killed Off
In the latest episode, viewers witnessed the dramatic turn of events that confirms John Dutton's fate. The showrunners crafted a tense narrative, strategically revealing that his character is no longer alive. As Kayce confronts the grim reality, the weight of the story shifts to the remaining characters, who must navigate the consequences of John's absence.
Taylor Sheridan’s Feud With Kevin Costner
The relationship between Kevin Costner and Taylor Sheridan has been under scrutiny since the showrunners decided to split the fifth season into two parts. Kevin had announced that he would not return for the second part, citing conflicts with his own projects, particularly a self-funded film series called Horizon. This tension ultimately led to the decision to proceed without him in upcoming episodes.
Reports indicated that Kevin requested to film all episodes of season 5b in a condensed timeframe to accommodate his schedule, but those requests were reportedly denied by Paramount. In response, Kevin's lawyer strongly disputed these claims, emphasizing his commitment to the show and denying the notion that he was willing to work for only one week on the series’ second half.
Season 6 in ‘Chaos’
As the dust settles from Kevin's exit, the future of Yellowstone appears uncertain. Sources indicate that the remaining cast members are vying for more significant roles, leading to a competitive atmosphere. The internal dynamics are shifting, creating a sense of chaos among the team as plans for the sixth season remain in flux.
The show’s trajectory is now heavily influenced by the absence of its main star, and fans are left wondering who will step up to fill the void left by John Dutton. The uncertainty surrounding the next season adds an element of intrigue, as the cast navigates this new reality in the wake of Kevin Costner's departure.
Regardless of how exactly the breakup between Kevin Costner and Taylor Sheridan went down, it’s a sure thing that the actor’s character John Dutton is out for the rest of season 5, as 5b was filmed without him. The real question being fought out among the cast is who will be the next big star in the series now that Kevin’s has made his exit. “Certain cast members are already throwing their weight around a lot more than before,” the source said.
“It’s created chaos already and will only get worse assuming Season 6 does go ahead as seems to be planned.”
