"Yellowstone" co-creator Taylor Sheridan recently opened up about Kevin Costner's departure from the series, clarifying the circumstances surrounding the show's ending and addressing the rumors that have circulated. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Sheridan revealed that Costner's desire to focus on a personal passion project led to scheduling conflicts with "Yellowstone."

Sheridan explained that while he and Costner had initially worked out a schedule to accommodate Costner's other commitments, the involvement of lawyers complicated matters. He expressed respect for Costner's portrayal of John Dutton but lamented the truncated ending for the character. Sheridan emphasized that the decision to end "Yellowstone" was ultimately made by higher-ups and that his primary responsibility is the show's content, not its scheduling or air dates.

Sheridan also addressed rumors about Costner's dissatisfaction with the direction of Dutton's character arc. He denied ever telling Costner to "stick to acting" and recalled a conversation in season two where Costner expressed concerns about the character's trajectory. Sheridan explained that Dutton's resistance to change is a key aspect of his character and that they course-corrected in season three, leading to Costner's Golden Globe win for the role.

Paramount Media Networks chief Chris McCarthy confirmed the scheduling challenges posed by Costner's commitment to four other films, acknowledging that the "Yellowstone" chapter is closing sooner than anticipated. While the ending of the series after only five seasons was a disappointment for Sheridan, he hinted at what won't happen to John Dutton, assuring fans that he avoids "f--- you car crashes" as a narrative device.

The second half of season 5 is expected to premiere in November, although the ongoing writers' strike may impact the release date.