'Yellowstone' star Luke Grimes says Kevin Costner's exit from hit show was a surprise
Grimes told Fox News Digital that he wished the show had a chance to produce "a better goodbye" for fans.
Almost two years after the last episode of the show aired, Taylor Sheridan's beloved western series "Yellowstone" finally returned to television for the premiere of season 5B, and fans are divided over how the death of Kevin Costner's John Dutton was handled.
The fate of Costner's character, John Dutton, was quickly revealed – the episode began with Kelly Reilly and Luke Grimes' characters, Beth and Kayce Dutton, discovering that he has been shot and killed.
The death appeared to be a suicide, but there seems to be some suspicion that he was actually murdered.
‘YELLOWSTONE’ STAR LUKE GRIMES ADMITS ‘NONE OF US SAW’ KEVIN COSTNER'S EXIT COMING
Kevin Costner's "Yellowstone" character, John Dutton, died under mysterious circumstances during Sunday's season premiere. (Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for SCAD)
Judging by comments made on social media, many longtime fans of the series were not impressed at the way the show handled Costner's departure.
"Honestly show creator missed the audience mark on this one by a million miles," one person wrote on X.
"Can I sue the producers of Yellowstone for permanent emotional damage 30 seconds into this episode?"
Another person complained, "I dont even want to finish the show anymore."
Kevin Costner played John Dutton for the first five seasons of the show. (Getty Images/Paramount Network)
While there were many critical comments, others thoroughly enjoyed the episode, with one person calling it "incredible."
"It made sense; you can't have that many people against you, land they want, & you & your cronies have killed that many ppl?" the person explained. "It's surprising they didn't do this to one of the main characters soon. Plus, with Costner leaving - make him go out in a dramatic way."
"It made sense; you can't have that many people against you, land they want, & you & your cronies have killed that many ppl?"
Another social media user said, "If you didn’t expect them to kill off John Dutton then you really arnt [sic] a true Yellowstone fan. I called thats [sic] this is how the season started since he announced his departure. #YellowstoneTV."
Others joked about suing "the producers of Yellowstone for permanent emotional damage 30 seconds into this episode?"
"John Dutton was a fantastic character, and despite the Kevin Costner drama, he deserved a better goodbye than Yellowstone gave him," someone posted.
"Yellowstone has its first episode without Kevin Costner and they already ruined it in the first 5 minutes," a critique read.
One person wrote, "John Dutton deserved to go out like a gladiator, not a victim. Completely undoes the series. I’m not a fan at all how #Yellowstone handled Costner’s departure."
Kevin Costner shifted his focus onto his "Horizon" movie series after leaving "Yellowstone." (CHRISTOPHE SIMON/AFP via Getty Images)
When another person replied by asking what other options the show had, the same person replied, "I hear you. Not sure, but I don’t like this version. It jumped the shark so badly it reminded me of how they undid Game of Thrones with the final season."
A particularly upset fan wrote, "Waited 2 years for a new episode just to watch 3 minutes and change the channel. F--- you Taylor Sheridan, and f--- you [Kevin Costner] for not settling your differences."
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Some fans solely blamed Sheridan, with one person saying that he "threw the baby out with the bathwater."
"He was so pissed off at Kevin Costner for quitting," that person theorized. "He just threw his show away. He don’t even care. It’s crap and I don’t even see any reason to watch the rest of the season. We already know how it ends and we know who did it."
Taylor Sheridan attends the black carpet during "Yellowstone" Season 5 Fort Worth Premiere at Hotel Drover on Nov. 13, 2022 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Omar Vega/Getty Images)
Another person said, "Not happy with the ego of Taylor Sheridan. Not watching anything else he's involved in if this is the way he treats his fans who have so much invested in Yellowstone & esp John Dutton."
Meanwhile, some people blamed Costner for the way the story is playing out.
One fan plainly said, "I blame Kevin Costner for leaving the show & where the storyline is now. He can take his ‘Horizon’ and shove it! Will it make me stop watching? No. I’m a loyal fan. To the show. Not to Kevin Costner."
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Another X user also referenced Costner's "Horizon" movie series, writing, "It’s not like Costner gave them a choice. He wanted to sink his fortune into his failed passion project. Not much they could do in a 6 episode arc. I’d love to see [Sheridan's] original treatment. I’m sure it was fantastic."
Some fans believe that Kevin Costner, center, will make an appearance as the new season includes flashbacks to the weeks before his death. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for Paramount Network)
One post read, "I love Kevin Costner and I have no idea what happened between he and Taylor but it looks like Kevin just left right as they were FINALLY starting to shoot for the new season. Didn’t offer one day, one hour, one scene to help close his character. I’m not mad at Taylor at all."
Many viewers took the time to praise Reilly's acting, hoping that she earns an Emmy for her work so far this season.
Kelly Reilly's performance in the new episode was widely praised. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for Paramount Network)
"Beth’s heartbreaking cries gave me goosebumps. I cried with her. Outstanding acting! Welcome Back, Yellowstone!" cheered one fan.
Representatives for Sheridan and Costner did not return Fox News Digital's immediate request for comment.
Originally, the current season, which will span six episodes, was set to be the last of the series. Recently though, despite Costner's departure as the show's star, there has been talk about continuing the story.
Kelly Reilly and Cole Hauser could be the focus of additional "Yellowstone" seasons. (Paramount)
Deadline reported in August that talks are in place to film a sixth season with a focus on Reilly and Cole Hauser, who plays Rip Wheeler, the husband of Reilly's character.
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Costner himself said in September that he believes there's more to explore, telling Entertainment Tonight, "That's been a wonderful part of my life, you know, making 'Yellowstone.' And who knows, sometimes some things have a way of circling back. I haven't seen that dust trail coming toward me. But I've always been open to what I started. And the five seasons was a lot for us to do. I think that, you know, that story is not finished."
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