Yellowstone became the number-one show in America by depicting the vicious power struggles among the Dutton family — and behind the scenes, similar drama has thrown a wrench into the production of the series' final episodes.
Before the Writers Guild of America strike in May, Taylor Sheridan, one of the creators of the show, had finished scripts for the latter part of Yellowstone's fifth and final season. These scripts didn't include Kevin Costner, the show's lead actor, due to reported issues with his demands. Later on, Costner's representatives expressed his interest in returning for the latter part of Season 5 and even potentially for Seasons 6 and 7.
Sheridan was open to reintroducing Costner's character, John Dutton, into Season 5B after the strike. However, when they talked in early July, Costner listed his demands: more money, a shorter work schedule, and the authority to review, approve, or veto every script. This didn't sit well with Sheridan, who writes every episode himself.
No matter how John Dutton's character eventually meets his end—likely as a result of the murder plot Jamie hatched in the midseason finale—it still needs to align with Costner's approval. Costner's Yellowstone contract has a "moral death" clause outlining acceptable and unacceptable ways for his character to meet his demise.
These contentious demands, coupled with Costner being pulled away from the series to focus on his upcoming film Horizon, have resulted in Costner's role in season 5B being greatly diminished. Sheridan says he is "disappointed" by Costner's departure. "It truncates the closure of his character," he told the Hollywood Reporter at the time. "It doesn't alter it, but it truncates it."
"His movie seems to be a great priority to him and he wants to shift focus, " he added. "I sure hope [the movie is] worth it — and that it's a good one."
Amid the ongoing writers and actors strikes in Hollywood, no release date for the back half of season 5 has been set.
