Kevin Costner has revealed why he left Yellowstone. The actor admitted on the stand during his divorce proceedings that leaving the series was due to a “long, hard-fought negotiation” over the decision to split season five into two parts.
Also starring Luke Grimes, Kelly Reilly, Wes Bentley, Cole Hauser, Kelsey Asbille, Brecken Merrill, Forrie Smith, Denim Richards, Ian Bohen, Finn Little, Ryan Bingham, Gil Birmingham, Mo Brings Plenty, Wendy Moniz, Jen Landon, Kathryn Kelly, the Paramount Network series follows the Dutton family of the Yellowstone ranch. The fifth season also features Josh Lucas, Jacki Weaver, Kylie Rogers, Kyle Red Silverstein, Rob Kirkland, Kai Caster, Lainey Wilson, Lilli Kay, and Dawn Olivieri.
Costner said he needed to focus on his own project — the four-part Western movie series Horizon: An American Saga — which didn’t work with filming Yellowstone twice a year. Costner said he changed his schedule to shoot the first part of season five and added “That’s a big deal in this world.”
Per People, Costner admitted on the stand that he wanted to return for a sixth season of the Taylor Sheridan drama but “I couldn’t help them anymore. We tried to negotiate, but they offered me less money than previous seasons, there were issues with the creative…”
Before walking away, Costner said that he made one last effort to come back to the show and told his representatives, “have them pay me whatever number, we came up with a number, and they [Yellowstone] walked away… I’ve been told it’s a little disappointing that [it’s] the #1 show on TV, I’m not participating.”
Costner was reportedly set to receive $12 million for each half of season five. He says that the scripts for the remainder of season five still aren’t written, and he “will probably go to court over” payment for the second half of season five.
Costner’s departure from the series led to the cancellation of the Taylor Sheridan drama, but a sequel series has already been ordered by Paramount Network. Yellowstone episodes stream on NBCUniversal’s Peacock service due to a deal struck before the drama became a hit. The sequel series will likely have its second window on Paramount+, keeping the profits in the Paramount Global family.
What do you think? Are you disappointed that Costner left Yellowstone? What do you think about his reasons for leaving?
I won’t be watching anymore, without Kevin Costner. Sad for sure.
One thing I forgot: We purchased Paramount Plus just to be able watch Yellowstone.
Top- Notch series!
Yellowstone : best streaming program ! I understand Kevin Costners problem(sort of), but I will really miss this program. Excellent acting, excellent story-line and excellent directing. A great series like Yellowstone rarely comes along. A tragic loss for the entertainment community.
I sincerely hope this will not affect “1923” . Perhaps “1883” will become a regular series. s Tim McGraw &Faith Hill and Sam Elliottt did a fantastic acting job.
HATE THW ISSUES WITH YELLOWSTONE!! Such a GREAT SHOW!
So sad it’s over the best drama
last season was already meh, I can imagine without costner it would just flop right away
I am also extremely disappointed. I ordered Paramount + just so my family and I could watch it. I was drawn to the show by Kevin and continued watching as did the family. I believe there should be more seasons going forward with Kevin. Why on earth the Yellowstone people do not realize Kevin’s value and let the show be cancelled. Is there a reason to continue paying for Paramount + when there is very little else on that I get from other streaming services. Yes, very disappointed.
I am very very disappointed in the outcome Yellowstone should have went on even if Kevin had to die in the show there’s plenty of story lines to keep that show going I think it’s awful that it’s the number one show and so many people are now disappointed they wait all week just to see that show
Why can’t they kill Costner off and let his son take over and the series would still work
So disappointed it was a good show to get excited about watching every week and anticipating what each new season would bring
That’s not the truth but a lot of conjecture. They do what they want anyway.
Why do we matter?
Extremely disappointed that something couldn’t have been worked out.
Not saying Costner doesn’t deserve part of the blame here, but it seems rather obvious that Paramount and Sheridan rigged this outcome for their own benefit. Without Costner involved, they get to rebrand what’s left of the show as a “spinoff”, and therefore, they are released from their streaming deal with Peacock, with all the current spinoffs already going to Paramount + As far as the future spinoff goes… it’s going to depend on who the main characters are. Beth & Rip? Sure. Jamie? There’s no way in Hell he doesn’t get killed off. Kayce & Monica should probably be… Read more »
Hmmm! maybe!
Kevin Costner Was Yellowstone and without him being in that production the show will Not be any show at all as He is the Life of the entire program!
Totally agree Ingrid
His charactor can’t be replaced by any other. I can only hope the main decision makers will try to agree.
Yellowstone doesn’t need Costner to continue. I’m irritated they didn’t keep the series going without him. There are plenty of ways they could have killed him off.
Or even just had him exit the show, not being killed, geeze!