Is Kevin Costner in Yellowstone Season 5 Part 2?

If you’ve just watched the new trailer for Yellowstone Season 5 Part 2, you may be a bit confused – is Kevin Costner in it, or isn’t he?

Yellowstone, Taylor Sheridan’s flagship neo-Western series, has had quite a hectic time following the drop of the first half of its fifth season last November. 

Since then, the show has been plagued by rumors and speculation, many of which involve John Dutton star Kevin Costner, who has been busy working on his four-movie Western epic, Horizon. 

The Season 5 Part 2 release date marks the end of Yellowstone’s flagship series, which finally has a confirmed release date of November 10. But will Costner reprise his role as the Montana rancher?

Is Kevin Costner coming back in Yellowstone Season 5 Part 2?

No, Kevin Costner won’t be returning to Yellowstone Season 5 Part 2. He confirmed the news in a social media post on June 20, 2024.

“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,” Costner explained in the clip.

“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.”

The new trailer for Season 5 Part 2 heavily features Costner, but it’s all archive footage, suggesting it’ll

There had previously been much talk about the rumors claiming Costner and Sheridan aren’t seeing eye-to-eye with regard to filming schedules, with their supposed feud infamous. 

Costner’s attorney Marty Singer previously denied the rumors that the star has been difficult to work with, telling Puck News: “The idea that Kevin was only willing to work one week on the second half of Season 5 of Yellowstone is an absolute lie.”

The future of Yellowstone

Since Yellowstone Season 5 Part 2 marks the end of the series, the Western saga will live on through multiple spinoff shows. 

That includes 1944, 6666, and the official Yellowstone sequel series, now titled The Madison. Details surrounding the plot and cast are slowly coming to light, but the main thing is that this will serve as the next step in modern Western saga.

Upon announcement of the new show, Chris McCarthy, president & CEO of Showtime and MTV Entertainment Studios, said: “Yellowstone has been the cornerstone on which we have launched an entire universe of global hits – from 1883 to Tulsa King, and I am confident our sequel will be another big hit, thanks to the brilliant creative mind of Taylor Sheridan and our incredible casts who bring these shows to life.”

David Glasser, CEO of 101 Studios, added: “The Dutton story continues, picking up where Yellowstone leaves off in another epic tale. We are thrilled to bring this new journey to audiences around the world.”

How will Costner’s exit change Season 5 Part 2?

Ultimately, Costner’s exit means that John Dutton will have to be written out of Season 5 Part 2 in some capacity.

The most likely scenario for this is death, but until the final episodes arrive from November 10, fans will just have to wait and continue to guess what might happen to the Dutton patriarch.

One thing’s for sure, though. Other members of the Yellowstone cast don’t seem to think the lack of John changes much, with Kelly Reilly telling Entertainment Weekly: “It changes nothing as far as Beth’s desire to protect her family’s lineage. In fact it becomes more urgent.”

Yellowstone Season 5 Part 2 arrives on November 10, 2024. In the meantime, why not check out our other Yellowstone guides? We’ve got them on the Y brand, Train Station, and a ranking of all the Yellowstone villains.

You can also find out more about the Yellowstone soundtrack and the best Yellowstone characters of all time.