Kevin Costner Reveals He Avoided Watching John Dutton’s Death in Yellowstone and Has No Plans to Do So

Kevin Costner on John Dutton’s Fate: Insights from Yellowstone’s Dramatic Return

Following the intense premiere of Yellowstone Season 5 Part 2, Kevin Costner shared his thoughts on the shocking fate of his character, John Dutton, as well as his reasons for not tuning into the show himself.

After nearly two years away from the screen, Taylor Sheridan’s acclaimed Western drama is back, and it didn’t hold back. The latest installment kicked off with a dramatic twist: John Dutton was found unresponsive in his bathroom, leading viewers to believe he may have attempted suicide.

However, dedicated fans of the series already suspect that there’s more beneath the surface, revealing that Dutton’s demise was not a simple case of self-harm but a calculated murder orchestrated by Sarah Atwood, girlfriend of character Jamie Dutton. This plot twist has ignited fierce debates among fans, with some expressing their outrage by labeling the development as “bullsh*t.”

Costner’s Surprising Absence from Viewing

Interestingly, Costner himself has not seen the decisive moment marking Dutton’s tragic end. In a candid interview, he admitted, “I didn’t know it was actually airing last night,” referencing the episode’s premiere date. “That’s a ‘swear to God’ moment. I’ve seen ads featuring my face everywhere and thought, ‘Gee, I’m not in that one.’”

Rumors of Costner’s departure from the show have circulated since 2023. The actor confirmed in June 2024 that he would officially part ways with the Dutton family to focus on his ambitious four-part Western project, Horizon: An American Saga. Consequently, the decision was made to write John Dutton out of the series.

“I didn’t realize yesterday was the thing,” Costner added. “My focus has been on my own projects. I got a few calls from people reminding me about it. Honestly, sometimes I feel like a passenger in my own life.”

Yellowstone character John Dutton played by Kevin Costner — Source: Paramount

Costner’s Thoughts on Dutton’s Conclusion

When questioned about whether he had been briefed on the details surrounding Dutton’s demise, Costner replied, “No I didn’t, that’s their business.” He continued, reflecting on his tenure as Dutton, “I gave it five seasons. There were times I didn’t even think I would go on for that long. We discussed various potential endings, but I never suggested suicide.”

Costner emphasized that he trusts the writers’ decisions, concluding, “They’re smart people. You know, they’ll figure it out. I heard it’s a suicide, which doesn’t motivate me to rush to watch it. Perhaps it’s a red herring—who knows? They’re exceptionally talented and will navigate this.”

Looking Ahead

For eager fans, Yellowstone Season 5 Episode 10 is set to air on November 17 on the Paramount Network, though it is confirmed that Kevin Costner will not reprise his role.

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