Kevin Costner Reacts to Yellowstone’s Shocking Finale – What He Really Thinks About John Dutton’s Fate and the Show’s Controversial Ending!
After years of high-stakes drama both on and off the screen, Yellowstone has finally reached its climactic end. However, the much-anticipated finale left fans divided, and the biggest question remained: What does Kevin Costner think about the fate of John Dutton?
For five seasons, Costner’s portrayal of the rugged Montana patriarch was the heart of the show. His unexpected exit during Season 5 sparked controversy, and the finale had to navigate his absence in a way that satisfied the audience. Now, Costner has finally broken his silence—and his reaction to the ending may surprise you.
The Fallout of John Dutton’s Death
When Yellowstone’s final episode aired, it was clear that John Dutton’s story had reached a grim conclusion. In a shocking turn of events, the powerful rancher was killed off-screen, leaving a void that even the most dramatic plot twists couldn’t fill. The episode framed his death as a possible suicide, only for later hints to suggest that Jamie Dutton’s manipulative girlfriend, Sarah Atwood, might have orchestrated a hit.
For fans who had followed John Dutton’s battle to keep his family’s ranch intact, this ambiguous ending felt like an injustice to the character. However, Kevin Costner had an even more personal reaction—he hadn’t even realized the finale had aired.
Costner’s Surprising Reaction
Speaking on SiriusXM’s Michael Smerconish Program, Costner admitted he wasn’t even aware that the final episode had already aired. “I didn’t know it was actually airing last night,” he confessed. “I swear to God. I’ve been seeing my face all over these ads thinking, ‘Gee, I’m not in that one. I’m not even in this season.’ But I didn’t realize it was the thing until someone called me this morning.”
Costner also revealed that, although he had heard how his character’s story wrapped up, he had no plans to watch the finale anytime soon. “I heard it was a suicide,” he said before pausing and adding, “So that doesn’t make me want to rush to go see it.”
Despite his disappointment, Costner didn’t lash out at the show’s creative team. “That’s their business,” he stated. “I gave it five seasons. Honestly, there were times I didn’t even know if I’d stick with it that long. A couple of times we talked about possible endings for me, and well, I heard what they did.”
While Costner’s response was relatively diplomatic, it was clear he wasn’t entirely satisfied with how things ended.
A Tense Production and Luke Grimes’ Subtle Shade
Behind the scenes, Yellowstone’s production had been plagued by tension between Costner and showrunner Taylor Sheridan. Rumors swirled about Costner’s scheduling conflicts and creative disagreements, which ultimately led to his departure.
However, it seems that some of his co-stars weren’t too upset about his exit. Luke Grimes, who plays Casey Dutton, recently spoke about Costner’s absence and how it impacted the show’s final season. In an interview with Esquire, Grimes admitted, “To be really honest, there was a part of Kevin being gone that meant some of the conflict was gone.”
Although he didn’t call out Costner directly, Grimes hinted that his departure made the production smoother. “Obviously, it didn’t make it super fun to be around. Not pointing any fingers, but it was actually the easiest season we’ve filmed.”
While Grimes’ comments suggest there were behind-the-scenes tensions, fans were less focused on cast drama and more concerned with the finale’s execution.
The Internet’s Mixed Reactions to the Finale
The Yellowstone finale sparked a wildfire of reactions online. Some fans praised the poetic ending, while others were left frustrated by its lack of resolution.
One particularly harsh critic on social media declared, “It is official: Game of Thrones is no longer the worst finale season of any TV show ever. Yellowstone has taken that award. What a disaster of a final season.”
Others found the ending too rushed, pointing out that after years of fighting to protect the ranch, it was unceremoniously sold to the Broken Rock Reservation. Meanwhile, Beth and Rip rode off into an uncertain future, and Casey settled into a quiet life that didn’t quite feel like a fitting end for his character.
Despite the mixed reviews, one thing was undeniable—Yellowstone still commands a massive audience. The season finale drew 11.4 million viewers, the highest in the show’s history.
What’s Next? The Future of the Yellowstone Universe
While Yellowstone may be over, the Dutton saga is far from finished. Paramount has already announced a new spin-off series focused on Beth and Rip, with Kelly Reilly and Cole Hauser reprising their roles. Unlike previous prequels such as 1883 and 1923, this spin-off will continue in the present-day timeline, making it the closest thing to Yellowstone Season 6.
However, the spin-off has already hit a legal snag. NBCUniversal’s Peacock, which currently holds streaming rights to Yellowstone, is preparing for a legal battle with Paramount over the rights to the new series. The dispute hinges on whether the spin-off is classified as a direct continuation of Yellowstone—which would fall under Peacock’s contract—or a standalone project that would stream exclusively on Paramount+.
As legal battles rage behind the scenes, fans are left wondering whether this next chapter will capture the same magic that made Yellowstone a cultural phenomenon.
Kevin Costner’s Future Beyond Yellowstone
Despite the drama surrounding his exit, Costner has moved on to new projects, most notably his ambitious Western film series, Horizon. Unfortunately, the first installment of the series flopped at the box office, putting the future of the franchise in jeopardy.
After realizing that Horizon might not be the massive hit he had hoped for, Costner attempted to negotiate a return to Yellowstone for the final episodes. However, Taylor Sheridan and Paramount had already moved forward with their plans, leaving no room for John Dutton’s return.
For now, Costner remains focused on rebuilding Horizon and exploring new opportunities. Whether he’ll ever revisit the world of Yellowstone remains to be seen, but one thing is certain—his time as John Dutton is officially over.
Final Thoughts
The Yellowstone finale may have been divisive, but its impact on television is undeniable. While Kevin Costner has made it clear that he’s ready to move on, the show’s legacy will continue through spin-offs and fan discussions for years to come.
What do you think about the finale? Did John Dutton get the send-off he deserved, or was it a disappointing conclusion to an epic saga? Let us know in the comments!
