Kevin Costner may leave Yellowstone series after season five
According to sources close to Yellowstone production, Kevin Costner will not return for the series’ sixth season. The news follows reports of alleged issues between the actor and co-creator Taylor Sheridan over the actor’s filming commitments on the remaining episodes of the current season. Additional sources have also informed ET that there is still no update on when the cast and crew will return to Montana, where the series is filming on location, to finish filming the remaining episodes of season five. As a result, there has been much confusion and frustration.
Disagreements over Costner’s filming schedule.
ET has attempted to reach Costner’s reps, as well as the show’s rep, for comment on the actor’s departure. The update on Costner’s status on Yellowstone comes after he, Sheridan and the rest of the cast were no-shows at a previously announced panel at PaleyFest in Los Angeles. This came nearly two months after it was first reported that Yellowstone may end in its current form earlier than expected, amid a Deadline report alleging disagreements over Costner’s filming schedule.
No news from Paramount Network
At the time, a Paramount Network spokesperson told ET that the network had «no new developments to report,» adding that Costner «is an important part of Yellowstone and hopefully will be for a long time to come.» In February, ET spoke with Puck News reporter Matthew Belloni, who first reported on the on-set challenges and disagreements that have reportedly plagued the show during its fifth season.
In limbo
«Yellowstone is really in limbo right now until they can figure out if Costner is coming back or, more likely, if they’re going to write it out of the show,» Belloni explained. «Once that determination is made, they can finish writing the second half of this season, film it and it will probably air in the fall.»
An outright lie, according to Costner’s attorney
In the midst of all this, the actor’s lawyer, Marty Singer, responded to the allegations of trouble in a statement to ET. «The idea that Kevin was only willing to work only one week on the second half of Yellowstone season 5 is an absolute lie. It is ridiculous, and anyone suggesting it should not be believed for a second,» the lawyer said.
Passionate about Yellowstone
He added that «as everyone who knows anything about Kevin is well aware, he is incredibly passionate about the series and has always gone above and beyond to ensure its success.»
A spinoff series starring Matthew McConaughey
It has since been revealed that a Yellowstone spin-off series starring Matthew McConaughey, which was previously just a rumor, is officially moving forward. Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, Paramount chief Chris McCarthy said McConaughey is set to star in a Yellowstone extension.
An expanding universe
He also shared that Sheridan’s expanding universe is about to grow even larger, saying the Yellowstone extension with McConaughey is one of more than 10 projects McCarthy has with Sheridan, the architect behind the 1883 and 1923 prequels.
