After almost two years off-air, Yellowstone returns to Paramount Network on Nov. 10 with its final six episodes.

Unfortunately, Kevin Costner’s John Dutton will not be part of the remaining episodes, following the actor’s departure

from the series due to disagreements with series creator Taylor Sheridan.

With Costner the lead star of Yellowstone, fans were naturally concerned that his character’s sudden absence in the final episodes would feel forced and unnatural. Thankfully, it doesn’t seem like that was the case, with newly promoted series regular Kathryn Kelly (veterinary technician Emily) explaining how John Dutton’s absence was always part of Sheridan’s ending for Yellowstone. “The absence was part of the ending. That’s not something that we had to pivot; it was already written into the tapestry of the story. It was always going to happen, it just unfolded a little differently,” the actor explained. “It was always going to be five seasons in [Sheridan’s] head, but because the show became so successful, the network and everyone wanted more. So, in a way, fate took it, and we ended this part of Yellowstone in a way that he always envisioned it to end.”

The first eight episodes of Yellowstone Season 5 aired between November 2022 and January 2023 on Paramount Network. Following the mid-season finale, the show went on hiatus, with the original plan being that it would return in Summer 2023 with the remaining six episodes. However, Costner’s reported unavailability due to his involvement in his four-part Western saga, Horizon, led to production on Season 5B being pushed back. The 2023 Hollywood strikes also impacted production, pushing the filming start further back.

By the time cameras began rolling again, Costner was finished with the first two films in his Horizon saga and was now available to return “under the right circumstances” to Yellowstone. Unfortunately, the actor was unable to reach an agreement with Paramount and Sheridan. At this time, it is unclear how exactly John Dutton’s absence will be handled in the series, although based on Kelly’s comments, Sheridan has seemingly found a way to make Costner’s exit work within the confines of the story.

It’s Never the End for Yellowstone

Although nothing has been officially confirmed or denied by Paramount Network yet, there have been reports stating that the network is reconsidering its decision to end Yellowstone after Season 5B. In August 2024, a report emerged claiming that Kelly Reilly and Cole Hauser were in talks to take over as the leads of Yellowstone, with their respective characters Beth Dutton and Rip Wheeler becoming the main focus moving forward. At this time, Paramount has not yet commented on the Season 6 reports, although with Yellowstone Season 5 set to conclude this December, fans shouldn’t have to wait much longer to know what the future holds for the beloved series.

Yellowstone returns on Paramount Network on Nov. 10.