Why Is Kevin Costner Not in ‘Yellowstone’ Anymore? About His Series Departure

Image Credit: Paramount Network

Yellowstone fans had a feeling that season 5B would be difficult to watch. After rumors over behind-the-scenes drama swirled online in 2023, viewers knew that series star Kevin Costner had left the show. But what was the reason for his departure? Hollywood Life is breaking down what happened during the season 5 finale of Yellowstone and everything that Kevin said about leaving the show. (Warning: spoilers from season 5 part 2 are ahead) 

Why Is Kevin Costner Not in Yellowstone Season 5 Part 2?

In the first episode of season 5 part 2, John Dutton is found dead from a gunshot wound. However, the camera did not show Kevin’s face, and multiple outlets reported that it was a body double for Kevin. Therefore, Kevin wasn’t on set to film the scene.

During a June 2024 appearance on CBS Mornings, Kevin explained that he ran into scheduling conflicts between Yellowstone and Horizon: An American Saga.

“Yellowstone was my first priority. But at a certain point when you make commitments, you just have to live with them,” he explained. “I wanted to work more than once a year and it was important that I made room for Yellowstone and made room for Horizon, but people ran through deadlines. They were busy; they had a lot to do.”

However, Kevin insisted that he’d be open to returning to Yellowstone if “the story is going the right way.”

A look at what’s to come the rest of season 5 on Yellowstone. #YellowstoneTV pic.twitter.com/eUsN11jdgF

— Yellowstone (@Yellowstone) November 11, 2024

Why Did Kevin Costner Leave Yellowstone?

Kevin opened up about his departure from Yellowstone to PEOPLE in June 2024. While noting that he “liked the people on the show” and “what it was about,” Kevin pointed out that “the scripts weren’t there” for over a year.

“When it was first pitched to me by Taylor [Sheridan], it was one season and [like] a long movie, which [is] speaking my language … but ultimately, I think what happened was the studio didn’t want that,” Kevin explained. “And because he’s such a prolific writer, he said, ‘I can do that. I can make a series that goes on.'”

While reflecting on his highly publicized leave from the series, Kevin recalled the rumors that spread about him.

“I read all the stories. I was disappointed that nobody on their side … ever stepped up to defend what it was I actually did for them,” he said, referring to the Yellowstone crew. “There came a moment where I thought, ‘Wow, when is somebody going to say something about what I have done versus what I haven’t done?'”

Will Yellowstone Have a Season 6?

It’s still unclear if there will be a season 6 of Yellowstone. There was hope for an additional season in 2023, but Paramount has not greenlit the idea.