Luke Grimes On Filming ‘Yellowstone’ Without Kevin Costner: “Not Having Him Around To Set Felt A Little Different”

Luke Grimes is opening up about what it was like to film Yellowstone without Kevin Costner.

The Paramount Network series continued filming the second part of Season 5 after Costner’s exit, and Grimes said the actor’s absence was felt.

“Him not coming back felt like, ‘Okay, we’re going to have to land this plane now for real,'” Grimes told People. “I think the patriarch leaving was always going to be part of the story. That’s always where it was headed is like, what do these kids do? What does this family do when their rock is gone?”

Costner didn’t return to Yellowstone due to scheduling conflicts with the actor’s film Horizon: An American Saga.

“He’s a big presence, man, guy’s an icon,” Grimes added. “So not having him around to set felt a little different. But as always, I mean, we’re a big family now. It was just as special and hopefully, the fans will be able to connect with the story just as much … I think they will be able to.”

Earlier this year, Costner took to social media to confirm he would no longer be returning to Yellowstone to film the remaining episodes of the season.

“I 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, I just realized that I’m not going to be able to continue Season 5B or into the future,” he said. “It was something that really changed me. I loved it. And I know you loved it. And I just wanted to let you know that I won’t be returning and I love the relationship we’ve been able to develop and I’ll see you at the movies.”

Yellowstone Season 5: Part II is set to premiere on the Paramount Network starting November 10, 2024 at 8 p.m.