Even before it was announced that Kevin Costner would exit Yellowstone ahead of season 5, part 2, many speculated that his character, John

Dutton III, would die before the show’s ending, and Taylor Sheridan all but confirmed that. The Paramount Network neo-Western drama

series, created by Sheridan and John Linson, was originally set to end with season 5, part 2, without Costner’s involvement. Reports claim that

a possible season 6 of Yellowstone may be in the works. However, as of the writing of this article, season 5, part 2 is set to be the end.

So, since season 5, part 2 is the end (for now) and Costner left Yellowstone after season 5, part 1, Sheridan had to figure out how to write his character out of the show. When an actor exits a TV series, their character is typically either killed off or they move away. However, it wouldn’t be logical for John Dutton to leave the Yellowstone Dutton Ranch, which is why many believe that he will die when Yellowstone season 5, part 2 premieres. It’s simply the most believable option for John Dutton.

Taylor Sheridan’s Plan For Kevin Costner’s Absence Makes John Dutton’s Death More Likely
John Dutton’s Absence Would Have Happened Regardless Of Kevin Costner’s Exit

While speaking with Entertainment Weekly, Kelly Reilly, who plays Beth Dutton in Yellowstone, revealed that Taylor Sheridan’s plans always included John Dutton’s absence. Even before Kevin Costner left Yellowstone, the showrunner knew the neo-Western drama’s ending lacked John Dutton. Reilly explained:

So, because John Dutton’s absence in Yellowstone season 5, part 2 was a part of Sheridan’s initial plan for the show’s ending, Costner’s character dying is more likely than ever. Sheridan has known how he wanted Yellowstone to end since season 1. According to many, his plan was always to do five seasons, and what better way to finish the series than with John Dutton’s death? Now knowing that his absence was always in the works, John Dutton dying in season 5, part 2 is the most logical option.

If Sheridan was planning for Costner’s character to be absent towards Yellowstone‘s ending, it wouldn’t make sense if that was because he moved away. John Dutton up and leaving the ranch is a lazy and hasty excuse Sheridan would make if he was under pressure to change the story. However, that doesn’t seem to be the case. Killing John Dutton is a big swing that Sheridan could have been building up to for years, while the character moving away is hard to imagine. As a result, death is the most likely and reasonable option for John Dutton.

Killing John Dutton Is The Best Way To Explain Kevin Costner’s Absence

Other Reasons Would Not Be Believable

John Dutton’s death in Yellowstone season 5, part 2 just makes sense. Given his character arc and story, Kevin Costner’s character dying is the furthest thing from outlandish. Meanwhile, other explanations (like leaving the Yellowstone Dutton Ranch) would be more difficult to sell to the audience. Death is ultimately the best way to write John Dutton out of the Paramount Network neo-Western drama.

Unfortunately, John Dutton’s (probable) death must happen offscreen. Taylor Sheridan surely didn’t prepare for Costner to exit the series ahead of its final six episodes. So, even if Sheridan always planned on killing John Dutton, his original ending likely had to be altered a little bit. Costner won’t return to give his character a proper sendoff, but John Dutton dying is still the cleanest way to explain his absence in Yellowstone season 5, part 2.