You can’t always get what you want. After expressing his desire to return to the wildly popular, modern western series back in March, Kevin Costner said that he will not be returning to the final episode of “Yellowstone” to reprise his role as John Dutton.
The 69-year-old revealed the not-so-great news to fans in a new Instagram post, where he shared with fans his absence for the second half of Season 5.
The announcement comes after Paramount Network unveiled the premiere date for the much-anticipated second half of the season, which is set to debut Nov. 10.
“Hi everyone. I just want to reach out and let you know that after this long year and a half of working on Horizon and doing all the things that’s required, and thinking about Yellowstone — that beloved series that I love — that I know you love. I just realized that I’m not going to be able to continue Season 5b or into the future,” Costner said.
“It was something that really changed me. I loved it, and I know you loved it. I just wanted to let you know that I won’t be returning,” he shared, before concluding, “I love the relationship we’ve been able to develop, and I’ll see you at the movies.”
On the hit series, Costner starred as patriarch John Dutton III for four and a half seasons, from 2018 to 2022.
The Oscar-winner starred alongside Luke Grimes, Kelly Reilly, Wes Bently, Cole Hauser, Kelsey Asbille, Ryan Bingham, Hassie Harrison and series co-creator Taylor Sheridan.
As previously reported, the first half of Season 5 of the show aired from November 2022 to January 2023 and was supposed to conclude with a November 2023 premiere.
But because of the writer’s strike, production delayed. Then in November 2023, it was announced that another year would go by before the show returned.
In a recent cover story for People – People’s annual 100 Reasons to Love America issue, where Costner snagged the No. 1 spot on the list – he shared with the media outlet how much he loved the hit western series after the disapointing rumors of his departure.
“I liked the people on the show. I liked what it was about. I love that world,” Costner exclusively told People.
