Summary

• Kevin Costner confirmed that he won't reprise his role as John Dutton in Yellowstone season 5, part 2, despite efforts and speculation.
• Costner was reportedly unhappy with the show's schedule, leading to his controversial exit.
• Costner's announcement is great news for Yellowstone, seeing as everyone can now focus on the show itself instead of worrying about the actor's return.

It's confirmed — Kevin Costner will not be returning as John Dutton III in The Yellowstone franchise will live on via its many spinoffs, but we must say goodbye to several beloved characters in season 5, part 2, including Costner's John Dutton. However, his exit will have to happen offscreen.

Following the announcement of Costner's controversial exit from the series, many hoped he could still appear, even just for a cameo, in Yellowstone season 5, part 2. But after a year of back and forth, I'm glad the speculation has ended. Costner reportedly wanted to return for Yellowstone season 5, part 2, and seemingly couldn't make it happen. However, months ed without any confirmation regarding whether the actor would reprise his role as John Dutton or not. Now, we know definitively that the final episodes of Yellowstone won't feature Costner, and I'm more than okay with that.

Kevin Costner's Yellowstone Exit Explained: Why He's Left The Show

Kevin Costner Wasn't Happy With The Show's Schedule

Rumors of behind-the-scenes Yellowstone drama led to Costner's exit.

Despite the actor's original intention to leave the Paramount Network neo-Western drama television series, Costner confirmed he wouldn't return to Yellowstone in a video he posted on social media in June 2024. So, after a tiring year of wondering if Costner would star in the final batch of episodes, the discussion surrounding his return can be laid to rest.

Kevin Costner's Return Talk Was Overshadowing Yellowstone Season 5, Part 2

Now We Can Focus On The Actual Show

While the prospect of Kevin Costner reprising his role in Yellowstone season 5, part 2, was initially exciting, it soon got old. The mystery of his status on the show dragged on for what felt like forever. Many were also focused on the "what ifs" and "maybes" regarding Costner's involvement instead of getting hyped for the actual series. Now, we can move on from the Costner drama and turn our attention to the neo-Western drama's final episodes. Yes, John Dutton (at least, the present version of the character) won't appear, but everyone else will, which is honestly more important.

Yellowstone Season 5, Part 2 Doesn't Really Need Kevin Costner

John Dutton Isn't Central To Yellowstone's Storyline Anymore

At the end of the day, it doesn't matter that Kevin Costner won't be a part of Yellowstone season 5, part 2. I'm sure that others will agree with me when I say that the show contains several storylines outside John Dutton's character that are way more entertaining than the ones involving him. For example, the neo-Western drama still needs to resolve Jamie Dutton and Beth Dutton's conflict, Rip Wheeler's fate, what the future holds for Kaycee Dutton and Monica Long Dutton, and more. John Dutton is simply no longer the most interesting or important character in Yellowstone.

Yes, Costner gave some hope that his involvement in season 5, part 2, was possible, but now that we can conclusively say that it isn't, everyone can move on and focus on the six episodes.

Of course, it would be ideal if Costner was able to give closure to his character in Yellowstone season 5, part 2. However, we have known that the actor probably wouldn't appear in the final episodes for over a year. Fans have had more than enough time to accept that Yellowstone would conclude without Costner or John Dutton. Yes, Costner gave some hope that his involvement in season 5, part 2, was possible, but now that we can conclusively say that it isn't, everyone can move on and focus on the six episodes.

How Yellowstone Can Write Out Kevin Costner's John Dutton

The Writers Have Many Options To Explain John Dutton's Absence

Since it has been a year and a half since the Yellowstone season 5, part 1 finale aired, fans have had time to contemplate how Taylor Sheridan and the other writers will end Kevin Costner's character's story. The first possibility is that John Dutton could die in Yellowstone, which would have to happen offscreen, of course. He might be murdered, get into an accident, or his colon cancer could return and kill him. The patriarch could also be away from the Yellowstone Dutton Ranch for some believable reason for the duration of the show's last six episodes. Or a time jump could explain John Dutton's absence.

Yellowstone season 5, part 2 is expected to premiere on November 10, 2024.

Whatever the case, the batch of episodes should contain a reasonable explanation as to why John Dutton is nowhere to be found in season 5, part 2. Sheridan has proven himself to be an excellent writer, after all. Additionally, the writers and producers have had a long time to decide how to handle Costner's exit from the Paramount Network neo-Western drama series. Ultimately, Yellowstone season 5 is better off without Kevin Costner's John Dutton, and I'm looking forward to seeing what the final episodes have in store for the other characters.