Kevin Costner Exits ‘Yellowstone’ Amidst Behind-the-Scenes Turmoil

Kevin Costner has confirmed his departure from “Yellowstone,” ending speculation of his return following reports of conflicts with show creator Taylor Sheridan. Costner cited his commitment to directing “Horizon: An American Saga” as the reason for his exit from the highly popular series.

Kevin Costner, the celebrated star of the television phenomenon “Yellowstone,” has officially announced his departure from the series. This confirmation comes after months of speculation and reports of behind-the-scenes drama between Costner and the show’s creator, Taylor Sheridan. In a candid Instagram video, Costner revealed he will not be returning to film the second part of “Yellowstone” season 5, due to his commitment to directing the ambitious four-part film series “Horizon: An American Saga.”

Costner, who won a Golden Globe for his portrayal in the Western drama, stepped back from his role last year when filming for season 5 was split into two parts, which conflicted with the production schedule of his “Horizon” project. Despite expressing a desire to return to “Yellowstone” under the right circumstances as recently as last week, Costner ultimately chose to prioritize his directorial work on “Horizon,” with its first installment set to premiere in theaters next week.

The actor’s exit has been surrounded by rumors of conflict with Sheridan. Reports from Deadline suggested Costner wanted to limit his filming time for the second part of season 5 to just one week, while The Puck alleged clashes between the two were fueled by Costner’s ego. However, Costner has refuted these claims, stating in an interview with GQ that he was fully committed to “Yellowstone,” but the scripts for the latter half of season 5 were not delivered in time, forcing him to move forward with “Horizon.”

Costner expressed his disappointment over the lack of support from the “Yellowstone” team, telling People that no one defended his contributions to the show amidst the swirling rumors. Despite the drama, Costner remains focused on his new project and bid farewell to “Yellowstone” fans with the promise, “I’ll see you at the movies,” referencing his upcoming film “Horizon.”

“Yellowstone,” a cultural and ratings juggernaut, has inspired spinoffs like “1923” and “1883” and was the most-watched non-sports television program of the 2022-2023 season. As fans prepare for the continuation of season 5 without its iconic lead, the show’s legacy and Costner’s impact on it remain indisputable.