YellowstoneDirector Says Kevin Costner's Character Is 'Still Central' to the Final Episodes Despite Actor's Exit

Mar. 15, 2025

Photo:Paramount Network

Paramount Network

No matter what, John Dutton will always bethe Dutton family patriarch.

As the premiere of the highly-anticipatedfinal episodes ofYellowstoneapproaches, Christina Voros, who directed four of the six remaining episodes, is shedding new light on howKevin Costner’s character will remain part of the family’s story despite the actor’s exit from the show.

“His presence is integral,” Voros toldThe Hollywood Reporterof how Costner’s character influences the final episodes.

While she didn’t reveal much about what that means — “I think to say any more than that would potentially compromise all the work that went into redacting the scripts,” she said — Voros reaffirmed that “he is the patriarch and his presence is an essential component to the story.”

“John Dutton is still central.”

Cole Hauser, Luke Grimes, Kevin Costner in ‘Yellowstone’.Cam McLeod/Paramount Network/Courtesy Everett Collection

Cam McLeod/Paramount Network/Courtesy Everett Collection

Production on the hit Western series final episodesbegan in May, followingmonths of back and forthbetween Coster, 69, and creatorTaylor Sheridan.

“There was a moment where that show for me stopped for 14 months… That’s the fact. I could have done a lot of things in that time, but I wasn’t aware that that [hold-up] was going to happen,” he said.

“I was disappointed that nobody on their side… ever stepped up to defend what it was I actually did for them. There came a moment where I thought, ‘Wow, when is somebody going to say something about what I have done versus what I haven’t done?'”

Kelly Reilly and Kevin Costner on ‘Yellowstone’.Paramount Network

In June, the actorconfirmed he would not be returning to the showin an Instagram post, as he called Yellowstone a “beloved series that I love.”

“I just realized that I’m not going to be able to continue Season 5b or into the future,” he said in avideo. “It was something that really changed me. I loved it, and I know you loved it. I just wanted to let you know that I won’t be returning.”

Kelly Reilly as Beth Dutton, Kevin Costner as John Dutton, Luke Grimes as Kayce Dutton, Kelsey Chow as Monica Long-Dutton, Wes Bentley as Jamie Dutton and Cole Hauser as Rip Wheeler for ‘Yellowstone’.Paramount/Kobal/Shutterstock

Paramount/Kobal/Shutterstock

Despite all the back and forth, the cast is happy with how the series is coming to an end.Luke Grimes, who plays Kayce Dutton, toldEntertainment Weeklylast month thathe “couldn’t be happier” about the finale.

“I think it’s a perfect ending for the show for every character,” he said. “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.”

His costarKelly Reilly, who plays his sister Beth Dutton, echoed his praise as she said the final episode’s “scripts were so good.”

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The final episodes ofYellowstoneseason 5 premiere Sunday, Nov. 10 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on Paramount Network.

source: people.com