Actor Kevin Costner announced he will not be returning to “Yellowstone,” saying he loved the popular series but realized he wouldn’t be able to continue.
The “Horizon” director and star shared his decision in an Instagram post Thursday.
“I just want to say that after this long year and a half of working on ‘Horizon’ and doing all the work that was necessary and thinking about Yellowstone, that beloved series that I love — that I know you love, too,” Costner said. “I just realized I won’t be able to continue on with Season 5B or in the future.”
“That was something that really changed me,” he added. “I loved it, and I know you loved it, too. I just wanted to let you know that I won’t be coming back. I love the relationship that we’ve been able to develop, and I’ll see you in the movies.”
In a video posted to social media Thursday evening, Costner said that after working for a year and a half on his upcoming multi-film epic “Horizon” and thinking about “Yellowstone,” which he called “a beloved series that I love and I know you love too,” he realized he wouldn’t be able to continue. The second half of the show’s final Season 5 is set to begin Nov. 10.
“It was something that really changed me,” Costner said of “Yellowstone,” which premiered on Paramount Network in 2018 and became an immediate and durable standout. It was TV’s highest-rated drama of the 2021-22 TV season, and its Season 4 finale was the most-watched scripted prime-time telecast in 2022, Variety reported.
Yellowstone producer Sheridan previously said he would be “disappointed” by Costner’s potential departure, adding: “It cuts short the ending of his character. It doesn’t change it, but it does shorten it.”
However, Costner has recently suggested he would consider a return. Just days ago, he told the Today show he would return “under the right circumstances”, adding: “Saying there’s a chance is always a chance. I like that. You have to be really clear about that.”
Yellowstone
The actor has focused his energy and personal wealth on his Horizon films, which he is directing, co-writing, producing and starring in. The first Horizon film cost $100 million to make, with Costner investing $38 million of his own. The second film is due for release on August 16.
Chapter 2 is coming soon, and is set to be released in theaters on August 16th of this year. Release dates for Chapters 3 and 4 have not yet been set, but Costner told The Hollywood Reporter that he has filmed part of Chapter 3 but needs more money to complete his vision.