Kevin Costner's Exit Ended Yellowstone’s Future — Here’s What Went Wrong

Taylor Sheridan’s flagship TV hit Yellowstone wrapped things up pretty abruptly last year, even though it was expected (and actually supposed) to go further with several more seasons.

The Western series, starring Kevin Costner as the lead and the head of the Dutton family, has seen him clashing with Sheridan over numerous issues, resulting in Costner’s decision to leave Yellowstone behind in favor of his own Western franchise called Horizon.

However, the messy conclusion of the show could have been even more scandalous, with Costner considering taking the issue to the court.

Sheridan Planned 3 More Seasons for Yellowstone — Kevin Costner Didn’t Really Like That Plan

Yellowstone started its path towards its eventual downfall around a year before the fifth season’s second part was dropped, as more details about Sheridan and Costner’s constant fights were leaked.

Their relationship deteriorated even further when Yellowstone got in the way for Costner’s own ambitious project, which made him consider the possibility of taking legal action against Sheridan.

“I made a contract for seasons five, six and seven. In February, after a two- or three-month negotiation, they made another contract. They wanted to redo that one, and instead of seasons six and seven, it was 5A and 5B, and maybe we’ll do six. They weren’t able to make those. Horizon was set in the middle, but Yellowstone was first position. I fit [Horizon] into the gaps. They just kept moving their gaps,” the actor revealed in an interview with Deadline back in 2023.

No One Is Happy With Yellowstone Finale

It’s fair to say Costner’s departure signaled the end of Yellowstone’s good times when the final fifth season continued its second part without the actor’s presence, revealing that his character had been killed off.

“This whole season is a complete letdown compared to the previous ones. I like how they made it seem for months like losing Kevin Costner wasn’t a big deal, yet the whole show is still about him… just… without him!… The writing is lazy, nothing really happens. It’s been 4 episodes and there’s nothing you can point your finger on and say “wow, this was well thought out” or even a good scene…,“ Redditor saskosic shared in a show-related thread.

“The writers strike, then TS not having scripts ready, KC leaving, all this changed whatever TS had in mind, then add in he has how many shows on right now thus spreading himself thin, add in his w—ring the 666 brand. What started out as his premier show, is now but a shadow of what it once was,” PoppysWorkshop agreed.

“It’s nothing but a vanity project for Sheridan now. He has ruined his masterpiece,” NinaL19 concluded.