Is Kevin Costner in ‘Yellowstone’ Season 5, Part 2? Inside His Appearance in Final Episodes

Kevin Costner captured the hearts of millions playing Dutton family patriarch John Dutton on Yellowstone and fans are curious if the Oscar award-winning actor will be returning for season 5 part 2 to reprise his role.

Is Kevin Costner Returning for ‘Yellowstone’ Season 5 Part 2?

The actor, who played the character of John for five seasons from 2018 to 2022, announced that he would not be returning to Yellowstone in June 2024.

“I just want to reach out and let you know that after this long year and a half of working on Horizon and doing all the things that’s required, and thinking about Yellowstone, that beloved series that I love, that I know you love. I just realized that I’m not going to be able to continue, season five or into the future,” Kevin said during a clip posted to Instagram. “I loved it and I know you loved it, and I just wanted to let you know that I won’t be returning. I love the relationship we’ve been able to develop, and I’ll see you at the movies.”

That same month, Kevin slammed reports of behind-the-scenes tension, telling People he “liked the people on the show.”

Kevin Costner's Quotes About a Return for 'Yellowstone' Final Episodes

“I liked what it was about. I love that world,” he said on June 19, 2024. He said he prioritized the show for over a year while waiting for the next season’s schedule, but in the end, “The scripts just weren’t there.”

Despite his exit from the show, Christina Voros, who directed four of the remaining six episodes, emphasized that Kevin’s character will remain a part of the Dutton family’s story.

“His presence is integral,” she told The Hollywood Reporter in November 2024 of how his character impacts the final episodes, adding that John Dutton “is still central.”

“I think to say any more than that would potentially compromise all the work that went into redacting the scripts,” she continued. “He is the patriarch and his presence is an essential component to the story.”

Luke Grimes, who plays Kayce Dutton, shared optimistic thoughts about the show’s ending, telling Entertainment Tonight that he “couldn’t be happier” about the finale.

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“I think it’s a perfect ending for the show for every character,” he said in October 2024. “It’s just a testament to what a good writer Taylor is, and it’s a very, very profound, beautiful ending. I can’t wait to sit down and watch it one day.”

Why Was ‘Yellowstone’ Canceled? Inside the Show's Drama and Timeline

When Does ‘Yellowstone’ Season 5 Part 2 Premiere?

Part 2 of season 5 is scheduled to premiere on November 10, 2024, two years after the first part debuted in November 2022. The first eight episodes of season 5 aired from November 2022 to January 2023.

Will There Be a ‘Yellowstone’ Season 6?

The future of Yellowstone is unclear following Kevin’s departure from the series.

“They’re caught between a rock and a hard place because they want to stay in Taylor Sheridan’s good graces,” an insider exclusively told Life & Style in September 2024. “But some of them do really miss Kevin and feel like it was a huge mistake not figuring out a compromise.”