Kevin Costner recently addressed John Dutton’s death in the highly anticipated premiere of Yellowstone Season 5, Part 2. Despite being the centerpiece of the series, Costner admitted he hasn’t seen the episode and has no plans to watch it.
The day after the episode aired, Costner joined The Michael Smerconish Program on SiriusXM to discuss the shocking plot development. “To be honest, I didn’t even know it aired last night,” Costner confessed. “That’s a truth moment for me. I’ve been seeing my face on ads everywhere and thinking, ‘Well, I’m not in this one.’ I’m not in this season.”
Costner Reacts to John Dutton’s Alleged Suicide
Costner revealed that he had heard rumors about John Dutton’s death being portrayed as a suicide, which only solidified his decision not to tune in. “I heard it’s a suicide, and that doesn’t make me want to rush and see it,” he said.
When host Michael Smerconish expressed doubt, stating that Dutton doesn’t seem like a man who would take his own life, Costner agreed but left room for speculation. “They’re clever storytellers, maybe it’s a red herring. Who knows? They’re very good at their craft, and I’m sure they’ll figure it out.”
As it turns out, the episode reveals that Dutton’s death was not a suicide. Instead, the powerful rancher is taken out in a hit orchestrated by Sarah (played by Dawn Olivieri), adding a twist that shocked fans.
Why Kevin Costner Left Yellowstone
Costner also revisited the circumstances surrounding his departure from the show, a topic that has sparked significant speculation. Addressing the challenges of balancing his commitments to Yellowstone and his film series, Horizon, Costner explained that the issue boiled down to scheduling conflicts.
“There were contractual issues that could have allowed both projects to coexist,” Costner explained. “But coordinating everything was extremely difficult. Ultimately, it became too challenging for the show’s team to accommodate both schedules.”
Costner Denies Quitting the Show
Costner made it clear he didn’t voluntarily walk away from the show. “I didn’t leave. I didn’t quit,” he emphasized. “I had 300 people relying on me, and I simply couldn’t keep helping them. But I didn’t quit Yellowstone. Everyone involved needs to uphold their commitments, no matter what business they’re in.”
This candid interview provides fans with deeper insight into the creative and logistical decisions behind John Dutton’s exit and Costner’s absence from the series, while teasing the storytelling brilliance that has made Yellowstone a cultural phenomenon.
