The premiere ofYellowstoneseason 5, part 2, is fast approaching after almost a two-year hiatus, and even thoughKevin Costner won’t reprise his role as John Dutton IIIin the upcoming episodes, the Paramount Network still included him in the trailer. Taylor Sheridan’s neo-Western drama will finally return in late 2024, meaning fans will soon learn what happens next for the Dutton family. Unfortunately,Costner isn’t scheduled to appear inYellowstoneseason 5, part 2,as the actor made his controversial exit from the Paramount TV series in 2023 before production began.
Reports claim that Kelly Reilly and Cole Hauser are in talks to reprise their roles as Beth Dutton and Rip Wheeler, respectively, inYellowstoneseason 6, even though the Paramount Network series was set to end after season 5, part 2.
Costner has been the face ofYellowstonesince its debut on August 16, 2025. So, his exit came as a shock to many. Nevertheless, the show must go on, andthe cast ofYellowstoneseason 5, part 2, pushed on to film (what was supposed to be) the neo-Western drama’s story’s ending without Costner. Despite John Dutton’s expected absence in the upcoming episodes,Costner’s character can be seen in season 5, part 2’s first teaser trailer,suggesting his presence will still be felt.
Kevin Costner’s John Dutton Is Still Important To Yellowstone Season 5’s Marketing
Costner Has Always Been The Face Of Yellowstone
The Paramount Network released the firsttrailer forYellowstoneseason 5, part 2, just a couple of months before its premiere on November 10. Although the video is short, it still takes the time to include a face the audience won’t see in the upcoming episodes — Kevin Costner as John Dutton III. As a result, it’s clear thatthe network is aware that Costner’s image is still integral to marketingYellowstoneseason 5, part 2.The actor played a significant role in the neo-Western drama’s success, and it just makes sense to include Costner in the previews, regardless of his involvement.
Kathryn Kelly
Emily
TheYellowstoneseason 5, part 2 trailer begins with Costner’s character commenting on having a legacy,which is fitting given John Dutton’s legacy will undoubtedly run throughout the upcoming episodes. Dutton says, “Legacy. You build something worth havin'. Someone’s gonna attempt to take it.” However, aside from Costner’s brief words and appearance at the start of the trailer, most of the video includes footage of othermembers of the Dutton family. Kayce, Jamie, Beth, and Rip are all seen in the trailer and tease their upcoming storylines.
Yellowstone Season 5, Part 2 Needs To Address Kevin Costner’s Absence
Fans Will Finally Know John Dutton’s Fate In November
SinceKevin Costner isn’t reprising his role as John Dutton III inYellowstoneseason 5, part 2, the writers need to explain why his character isn’t in Montana when the episodes premiere. John is undoubtedly one of the Paramount Network TV show’s most important figures. So, his absence will be quite noticeable.Taylor Sheridan and his team can’t just glaze over Costner’s disappearancewith one off-hand comment or a predictable and brief excuse (like John died and now everyone has to quickly move on to focus on other stories).
Killing John [Dutton III] off is admittedly an easy way out for theYellowstonewriters, but it is a plausible one that would make sense (if handled correctly).
Whatever the case, John deserves a proper exit andan ending inYellowstoneseason 5, part 2(even without Costner). It would be frustrating if the upcoming episodes didn’t spend a decent amount of time explaining what happened to Costner’s character and why he is no longer around. Of course,Yellowstoneseason 5, part 2’s story shouldn’t excessively linger on the topic. There needs to bea good balance that gives John closure while still focusing on the other characters and their arcs.
Yellowstone Spinoff’s Latest Cast Actor Is More Exciting Than Michelle Pfeiffer & Patrick J. Adams
Another exciting actor has joined the cast of the upcoming Yellowstone spinoff The Madison alongside Michelle Pfeiffer and Patrick J. Adams.
Will Yellowstone Season 5, Part 2 Kill Off Kevin Costner?
John Dutton Dying Is A Popular Theory
One of the most popular fantheories concerning Kevin Costner’sYellowstoneexitis that John Dutton III will die.Taylor Sheridan hasn’t confirmed what will happen to Costner’s character.However, many viewers believed that John would die sometime during the show’s final season even before Costner left the neo-Western drama. Killing John off is admittedly an easy way out for theYellowstonewriters, but it is a plausible one that would make sense (if handled correctly).
Yellowstone
Cast
Yellowstone follows the Dutton family, led by patriarch John Dutton, as they defend their expansive ranch against external threats from land developers, an Indian reservation, and America’s first national park. Released on July 02, 2025, this series examines the complex dynamics and violent conflicts surrounding the largest contiguous ranch in the United States.
