On June 20, the official Instagram account for the popular Western drama “Yellowstone” posted a video teasing the arrival of the second half of the show’s fifth season.

While their post had all the perfect elements for building up anticipation among viewers, with its ominous voice-over and striking visuals, netizens don’t agree with a certain change that affected the cast.

User comment about the new season of “Yellowstone,” posted on June 20, 2024 | Source: Instagram/yellowstone

Using the show’s signature “Y” emblem that was enveloped by bright orange flames, the Instagram video alerted fans that “the epic return of Yellowstone” would arrive this month (November) on Paramount Network.

“Save the date: November 10. #YellowstoneTV,” captioned the account. In contrast to the teaser’s excited vibe and tone, online viewers came forward to express their grievances with the show’s return.

For many people, Hollywood icon Kevin Costner’s absence in the series has left them with a bad taste in their mouths, as they expressed how watching the new season without him is pointless. “Won’t be the same without Kevin Costner…I’m so sad. 😭💔,” penned an Instagrammer.

Another remarked, “What’s the point without Kevin Costner?!” “There’s no point of [sic] watching this show if Kevin Costner isn’t in it. Taylor Sheridan you really messed up this one,” echoed someone else who referenced the show’s creator as well.

Taylor Sheridan and Kevin Costner at the premiere of “Yellowstone” in Hollywood, California on June 11, 2018 | Source: Getty images

Joining the many others who feel Costner’s absence is detrimental to the show, a spectator asserted, “Passs! No Costner- No show! Sorry!” while another person added, “Not gonna lie. It’s not the same without Kevin. 😢.”
“Dead to me. No Kevin = not watching. So what if he has a passion for doing another show? A starring actor can make that balance. But greed is king for Sheridan,” opined another user who is up in arms over the situation.

On the other hand, some people were elated to hear of the show’s return, with or without Costner’s presence. “Finally!!! 🙌 We’re all waiting for Beth & Rip to keep the ranch drama alive! John will be missed but let’s be honest…. Beth & Rip can hold this show for many seasons to come!” commented a fan of the series. Another admirer simply exclaimed, “I can’t wait!!!”

A day after the new season teaser came out, Costner took to Instagram to publish a video confirming that he would not be making a return to the series. He stood in front of a backdrop of green shrubs wearing a black cap and sunglasses.

“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 five b or into the future,” began “The Bodyguard” actor.

He went on to highlight how much “Yellowstone” changed him as a person, reiterating his deep adoration for the series. “I love the relationship we’ve been able to develop, and I’ll see you at the movies,” concluded the star.

After sharing the post, which went viral, Costner sat down for an interview with USA Today, where he contextualized his video. At the time, the Hollywood talent was on an extended media tour promoting his then-new Western film series “Horizon.”

“Simply with all the questions that were being asked (about ‘Yellowstone’), the longer I thought about that … I just wanted to say that this is a stepping-off point,” explained Costner.

He then added, “Whatever I’d hoped for maybe was not in the cards. I don’t want to keep saying, ‘Yeah, I hope I can do it.’ That’s drifted to a place that I don’t think is realistic anymore.”

In the same interview, Costner also clarified that there was nothing specific that had been done by Sheridan or Paramount Studios that led to him making the video. Instead, his post was meant to signify that he was done holding out optimism for his return that wasn’t there.

“I just wanted to get that done. I’m not a machine trying to figure this out. But I’m not a person that leaves people high and dry,” disclosed Costner.

Since his debut in 2018, Costner has been a staple on the show that follows the lives of a ranching family in Montana, who have frequent face-offs with people encroaching on their land.

His beloved portrayal as the owner of one of the biggest cattle ranches in the U.S. and the patriarch of the Dutton family, John Dutton III, has been revered by many. Costner’s role has also been spoken about by his fellow cast mates, one of whom addressed the actor’s exit from the show.

Famous actor Luke Grimes, who plays Costner’s on-screen son, Kayce Dutton, previously opened up to People magazine about the ordeal.

Speaking about what it was like to not have Kevin Costner back on set, Grimes divulged, “Him not coming back felt like, ‘Okay, we’re going to have to land this plane now for real’ […] It definitely felt different.”

Kevin Costner and Luke Grimes at a Deadline event in Los Angeles, California on April 7, 2019 | Source: Getty Images

While Grimes acknowledged the difference that came with Costner’s departure, he said, “I think the patriarch leaving was always going to be part of the story. That’s always where it was headed is like, ‘What do these kids do? What does this family do when their rock is gone?’”