Is Kevin Costner in Yellowstone Season 5 Part 2? John Dutton’s fate explained

Yellowstone Season 5 Part 2 is finally here to answer everyone’s lingering Dutton-based questions – so, is Kevin Costner in it, or isn’t he?

Yellowstone, Taylor Sheridan’s flagship neo-Western series, has had quite a hectic time following the drop of the first half of its fifth season in 2022. 

Since then, the show has been plagued by rumors and speculation, many of which involve John Dutton star Kevin Costner, who has been busy working on his four-movie Western epic, Horizon. 

But Season 5 Part 2 is finally here, and John Dutton’s fate has been addressed…and it ain’t pretty. Here’s everything you need to know about whether Kevin Costner is still in Yellowstone. (Warning: spoilers ahead!)

Is Kevin Costner coming back in Yellowstone Season 5 Part 2?

No, Kevin Costner won’t be returning to Yellowstone Season 5 Part 2. He confirmed the news in a social media post on June 20, 2024.

“I want to reach out and let you know that after this long year and a half of working on Horizon and doing all the things that’s required, and thinking about Yellowstone, that beloved series that I love, that I know you love, I just realized that I’m not going to be able to continue Season 5B or into the future,” Costner explained in the clip.

“It was something that really changed me. I loved it. And I know you loved it. And I just wanted to let you know that I won’t be returning and I love the relationship we’ve been able to develop and I’ll see you at the movies.”

There had previously been much talk about the rumors claiming Costner and Sheridan weren’t seeing eye-to-eye with regard to filming schedules, with their supposed feud infamous. 

Costner’s attorney Marty Singer previously denied the rumors that the star has been difficult to work with, telling Puck News: “The idea that Kevin was only willing to work one week on the second half of Season 5 of Yellowstone is an absolute lie.”

When the trailer for Season 5 Part 2 dropped, it included several shots of Costner as John, including use of his voiceover. This caused fans to question whether things had been worked out, but alas, that was simply old footage from previous seasons.

Now Part 2 is on air, we can confirm he’s definitely not in it.

What happened to John Dutton?

In Season 5 Episode 9, it was revealed that John Dutton had been murdered in the Governor’s mansion, in a shooting which was staged to look like a suicide.

In the opening moments, Beth speeds up to the house in a panic, obviously having heard some questionable news. There are police and paramedics everywhere, and when she catches sight of Clara (John’s assistant), she’s able to put two and two together.

Kayce soon arrives, and the two run upstairs. They’re met with the sight of John’s dead body, in his underwear, in the bathroom. (Note: this isn’t Kevin Costner – John’s face isn’t shown, so it’s obviously a body double of some kind.)

There’s blood splatter on the wall and his gun on the ground, with all signs pointing to suicide. But those in the know can work out what’s really happened. After Jamie’s plea for help from his lover Sarah Atwood in Season 5 Episode 8, she’s hired a hitman to come in and kill his adopted father.

From Jamie’s reaction after hearing about John’s death, it’s clear he may not have even been serious in his quest for vengeance. He’s panicking and completely shocked. Now the hunt is on: Beth is after Jamie to avenge their father, and Jamie has to move quickly if he wants to take advantage of this situation.

One thing’s for sure, though. Other members of the Yellowstone cast don’t seem to think the lack of John changes much, with Kelly Reilly telling Entertainment Weekly: “It changes nothing as far as Beth’s desire to protect her family’s lineage. In fact it becomes more urgent.”

The future of Yellowstone

Since Yellowstone Season 5 Part 2 marks the end of the series, the Western saga will live on through multiple spinoff shows. 

That includes 1944, 6666, and the official Yellowstone sequel series, now titled The Madison. Details surrounding the plot and cast are slowly coming to light, but the main thing is that this will serve as the next step in modern Western saga.

Upon announcement of the new show, Chris McCarthy, president & CEO of Showtime and MTV Entertainment Studios, said: “Yellowstone has been the cornerstone on which we have launched an entire universe of global hits – from 1883 to Tulsa King, and I am confident our sequel will be another big hit, thanks to the brilliant creative mind of Taylor Sheridan and our incredible casts who bring these shows to life.”

David Glasser, CEO of 101 Studios, added: “The Dutton story continues, picking up where Yellowstone leaves off in another epic tale. We are thrilled to bring this new journey to audiences around the world.”

Yellowstone Season 5 Part 2 is airing weekly on the Paramount Network until December 15.

In the meantime, why not check out our other Yellowstone guides? We’ve got them on the Y brand, Train Station, and a ranking of all the Yellowstone villains.

You can also find out more about the Yellowstone soundtrack and the best Yellowstone characters of all time.