Yellowstone was abruptly cancelled three seasons too soon because of Kevin Costner’s exit

The popular Paramount+ Western series Yellowstone ended after five seasons in December 2024, and fans were left wondering if concluding the Dutton family saga at this point had always been part of the plan. Turns out, that wasn’t the case. According to a new report from Bloomberg, co-creator Taylor Sheridan had initially planned to roll out three more seasons starring Kevin Costner, Luke Grimes, Kelly Reilly, and Wes Bentley. However, the plan fizzled out after the sudden and shocking departure of Costner.

Season 5 of Yellowstone showed the family reeling from the aftermath of John Dutton’s murder, and in a shocking twist by the end of the season, we see Sarah, Jamie Dutton’s girlfriend, who played a big role in John Dutton’s cold-blooded murder, meet her brutal end. Though the show concluded with a cliffhanger, leaving the question of who hired shooters to kill Sarah unresolved, the hopes for the show’s renewal were dashed by the makers. As Bloomberg puts it, “Yellowstone ended about three seasons before Sheridan had hoped because of a conflict with Costner.”