Kevin Costner 'not returning' to Yellowstone amid behind the scenes friction

03 May 2023 , 21:37

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Kevin Costner has been a cast member on Yellowstone since the show launched back in 2018

Kevin Costner is not returning to Yellowstone after the current season finishes, according to reports.

The actor, 68, has played patriarch John Dutton III on the show since it debuted back in 2018. The series follows the Dutton family, who own the largest ranch in Montana.

The fifth season began airing in November last year, with its first half having concluded in January this year. The second half of the latest season has yet to be released.

There had been reports in recent months speculating over the show's future amid claims that there was tension between Kevin and showrunner Taylor Sheridan, 52.

Kevin Costner has been a cast member on Yellowstone since the show debuted in 2018 (Paramount/Kobal/REX/Shutterstock)

And now it's been reported that Kevin won't be returning to Yellowstone after the fifth season, according to sources 'close to the production' who spoke to Entertainment Tonight.

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It however remains unclear whether the outlet means that he will feature in the remaining episodes of the second half of the season or whether he won't have filmed any.

The outlet adds that others sources said there's still no news on when the cast and crew will return to Montana - where the show is filmed - to finish season five's remaining episodes.

The show was co-created by Taylor Sheridan (Getty Images)

It comes following claims that there has been "friction" between Kevin and showrunner Taylor Sheridan.

The New York Post (NY Post) reported last month that sources had confirmed the show is set to end after the second half of season five, with it suggested at the time that it wasn't known when those episodes would even be filmed.

There has been speculation that Kevin refused to spend more than a single week on the second half of the season due to a film project, though this was reportedly denied by a rep for him.

"The idea that Kevin was only willing to work one week on the second half of Season 5 of 'Yellowstone' is an absolute lie," the rep told Puck News in February, as reported by the NY Post.

Kevin plays patriarch John Dutton III on the show (Danno Nell/Paramount/Kobal/REX/Shutterstock)

It has also been previously claimed that filming for the second part of the season had been due to begin last year but scripts reportedly weren't ready at the time.

According to the NY Post, a source said Kevin subsequently "made himself available" at the start of this year but "again nothing was ready". The source added that the actor had already committed to his other projects.

Jamie Roberts