Published by Cel Manero from Global One Media Inc.
Kevin Costner has shared his thoughts on the fate of his character in Yellowstone following the premiere of season 5, part 2 on Sunday. In the show, Costner’s character, John Dutton, meets his end in what appears to be a suicide, though it’s hinted that it might actually be a murder staged as a suicide. The 69-year-old actor, speaking on The Michael Smerconish Program on SiriusXM, admitted he was unaware of how the writers would conclude his role.
“I’ll be totally honest—I didn’t know it aired last night,” Costner said. “I swear to God. I’ve been seeing ads with my face everywhere, and I thought, ‘Wow, I’m not in that one,’ or ‘I’m not part of this season at all.’”
Costner had previously indicated he was finished with Yellowstone after completing the first half of season 5.
“I haven’t watched it,” Costner said about the newest episode. “I heard it’s portrayed as a suicide, which doesn’t exactly make me eager to check it out,” he added.
Host Michael Smerconish remarked that John Dutton didn’t seem like the “suicidal type,” prompting Costner to comment on the writers, saying, “They’re smart people. Maybe it’s a misdirection. Who knows? They’re quite talented and will work it out.”
Costner noted that while he had previously discussed possible “endings” for Dutton, suicide wasn’t part of those conversations. In the end, he said that the writers’ choice for Dutton’s fate was “their decision,” according to Variety.
As previously noted by The Daily Wire, many fans expressed anger over the exit of such a beloved character.
One viewer commented, “John Dutton should’ve gone out like a gladiator, not a victim. This completely undermines the series. I’m really disappointed in how #Yellowstone managed Costner’s departure.”
Another fan echoed this sentiment, saying, “John Dutton was an incredible character, and regardless of the issues with Kevin Costner, he deserved a better send-off than Yellowstone gave him.”
Costner had pointed to scheduling conflicts as the primary reason for his departure, as he’s been heavily focused on his Western film series, Horizon, which has received mixed responses from both critics and fans.
The actor had previously indicated he was open to the possibility of returning to Yellowstone.
