The Reason Kevin Costner Agreed To Yellowstone Is What Made The Taylor Sheridan Western So Good

Kevin Costner was a big reason why Yellowstone was so great, but what motivated him to agree to be a part of the series is also why it was a triumph. The TV show created by Taylor Sheridan and John Linson debuted in 2018 and ran for five seasons and 53 episodes before ending in 2024. Of course, some parts of Yellowstone were better than others. Still, the series was a massive success overall, as it kickstarted a franchise, was beloved by millions, and revitalized the Western genre. So, Costner made a good choice when he signed on to play John Dutton III.

Unfortunately, Costner left Yellowstone ahead of season 5, part 2, unofficially resulting in its cancelation. The show simply doesn’t work without the actor and his iconic character, as witnessed by its final six episodes. Nevertheless, Yellowstone remains one of the most influential, game-changing TV series of late, and Costner recognized its greatness before it even premiered.