Why Kevin Costner is not in a ‘rush’ to see his final ‘Yellowstone’ episode

This article contains Season 5B “Yellowstone” spoilers

Kevin Costner won’t be watching his final “Yellowstone” episode anytime soon after his character was killed off the Western series.

The actor weighed in on his character John Dutton’s death in the Sunday’s Season 5B premiere while chatting Monday on SiriusXM’s “The Michael Smerconish Program.”

“I didn’t see it,” he admitted. “I heard it’s a suicide, so that doesn’t make me want to rush to go see it.”

Kevin Costner got candid about his “Yellowstone” character, John Dutton, being killed off the Western series during an appearance Monday on “The Michael Smerconish Program.” SiriusXM/YouTube “I didn’t see it. I heard it’s a suicide, so that doesn’t make me want to rush to go see it,” the actor said. KEVIN LYNCH FOR PARAMOUNT NETWOR

Host Michael Smerconish told Costner, 69, that his character wasn’t the “suicide kind of guy,” to which the “Dances With Wolves” star responded, “Well, they’re pretty smart people.

“Maybe it’s a red herring. Who knows? They’re very good. And they’ll figure that out.”

Dutton’s death was first thought to be a suicide, however, the episode flashed back six weeks to reveal he was murdered by a hit man orchestrated by his son Jamie Dutton’s girlfriend Sarah Atwood.

The “Bodyguard” star explained to Smerconish that he didn’t know part two of the season was airing last night, as he hasn’t been following the show’s production since it was revealed he wouldn’t be returning.

The “Bodyguard” star said he didn’t even know Season 5B of the series was aired on Sunday. ©Paramount Network/courtesy Everett Collection “That’s a swear to God moment,” he added. Getty Images

“That’s a swear to God moment,” he continued. “I mean, I’ve been seeing ads with my face all over the place and I’m thinking, ‘Gee, I’m not in that one.’”

Despite Costner’s character being found dead from a gunshot wound at the start of Sunday night’s episode, a body double was used to portray the Oscar winner, and his face was concealed.

In February 2023, rumors Costner wouldn’t be returning to film the rest of Season 5 sparked after Deadline reported that he and the show’s co-creator Taylor Sheridan had clashed over scheduling.

Costner explained he kept seeing the series promoted with his face on several ads, despite not starring in Season 5B. ©CBS/Courtesy Everett Collection The “Horizon” star’s character was found dead in Sunday’s premiere. ©Paramount Network/courtesy Everett Collection

The outlet reported that the two had trouble agreeing on a filming schedule with Costner reportedly wanting to film the second round of episodes in one week.

A representative for Paramount, however, denied the rumors at the time, telling The Post “Costner [was] a big part of ‘Yellowstone.'”

In May 2023, an insider close to production told “Entertainment Tonight” that Costner would officially not be returning to set.

In June 2023, Costner confirmed he wouldn’t be returning to “Yellowstone.” Getty Images At the time, there were reports he was clashing with the show’s crew over the filming schedule. Getty Images

Costner confirmed the news via Instagram in June, saying the decision came after a “long year and a half” of working on his 2024 western drama, “Horizon.”

At the time, he was also going through a highly publicized divorce with ex-wife Christine Baumgartner, whom he wed in 2004.

“Yellowstone” airs Sundays at 8 p.m. ET on Paramount Network.