Yellowstone’s New Casting Gives Me Mixed Feelings After Kevin Costner’s Exit

New information about the upcoming Yellowstone spinoff and its cast has finally been made public, but the reports are bittersweet regarding Kevin Costner’s replacement in the show.

The sequel series was first announced following the news that Costner would not return as John Dutton for Yellowstone season 5, part 2. Given the success of the show and its prequels, it makes sense why Paramount Network would want to continue expanding the universe, even after Yellowstone comes to an end. So, a sequel is the obvious next step, but Taylor Sheridan and the other producers needed a big name to headline the upcoming show.

Aside from the Yellowstone franchise, Taylor Sheridan has many other projects in the works — Mayor of Kingstown season 3, Tulsa King season 2, Landman, and Special Ops: Lioness season 2.

Every TV show in the Yellowstone franchise has one or a couple of (or a few) big names attached to it. Of course, Yellowstone had Kevin Costner, while 1883 had Sam Elliot, Tim McGraw, and Faith Hill, and 1923 has Harrison Ford and Helen Mirren. So, it would only be right if the Yellowstone spinoff (which has been tentatively titled The Madison) also featured huge stars. Unfortunately, the first actor attached to the project is seemingly nowhere to be found in the new reports, which disappoints me.

Matthew McConaughey’s Yellowstone Casting Not Happening Would Be Very Disappointing

Matthew McConaughey Was Previously Reported To Star In The Spinoff

Matthew McConaughey was attached to the Yellowstone spinoff, originally titled 2024, when it was first announced in 2023. However, in the year since the news broke, there haven’t been any updates regarding McConaughey’s status in the show, and unfortunately, it appears as though he might not star in it, after all.

According to TVLine, the cast of the upcoming Yellowstone sequel series, The Madison, will include Michelle Pfeiffer, Kurt Russell, and Patrick J. Adams. McConaughey’s name was mysteriously missing from the reports.

Taylor Sheridan’s Upcoming Yellowstone Shows
Release Date

Yellowstone season 5, part 2
November 10, 2024

1923 season 2
TBA

6666
TBA

1944
TBA

The Madison
2025

Untitled Yellowstone sequel series with Rip, Beth, and Kayce
TBA

McConaughey is a very talented actor, and I had been envisioning him in the world of Yellowstone ever since he was announced to star in the spinoff. But since McConaughey was not included in the released cast list, it might be safe to assume that he and the producers went their separate ways.

If he were still playing a main character in The Madison, McConaughey’s name would have been on the recent reports alongside Pfeiffer, Russell, and Adams. McConaughey’s presumed exit from the Yellowstone spinoff is quite disappointing, but at least other renowned stars are attached to the sequel series.

Michelle Pfeiffer & Kurt Russell Are Still Great Replacements For Kevin Costner

The Yellowstone Franchise Continues Pulling In Big Stars

Michelle Pfeiffer and Kurt Russell are two big movie stars who are set to headline The Madison, which reportedly follows Stacy Clyburn, a wealthy matriarch from New York City, who packs up her stuff and moves to Montana with her family following her husband and brother-in-law’s tragic deaths in a plane crash.

Pfeiffer will likely play Stacy (if the rumors are true), while everyone else’s roles are unknown. Nevertheless, casting Pfeiffer and Russell to star in Taylor Sheridan’s upcoming TV show is a great way to replace Kevin Costner’s place in the franchise.

[Michelle] Pfeiffer, [Kurt] Russell, and [Patrick J.] Adams joining the cast of The Madison sort of makes up for the fact that Matthew McConaughey is likely not involved with the project, but the news is still bittersweet.

Patrick J. Adams is also riding the high of Suits‘ resurgence on Netflix in late 2023. So, while he might not be as big of a star as Pfeiffer and Russell, Adams’ role in the cast is not to be underestimated. Ultimately, Pfeiffer, Russell, and Adams joining the cast of The Madison sort of makes up for the fact that Matthew McConaughey is likely not involved with the project, but the news is still bittersweet.