Even before it was announced that Kevin Costner would exit Yellowstone ahead of season 5, part 2, many speculated that his character, John Dutton III, would die before the show’s ending, and Taylor Sheridan all but confirmed that. The Paramount Network neo-Western drama series, created by Sheridan and John Linson, was originally set to end with season 5, part 2, without Costner’s involvement. Reports claim that a possible season 6 of Yellowstone may be in the works. However, as of the writing of this article, season 5, part 2 is set to be the end.

After almost two years since the season 5, part 1 finale, Yellowstone season 5, part 2 is scheduled to premiere on Sunday, November 10, 2024, on the Paramount Network.

So, since season 5, part 2 is the end (for now) and Costner left Yellowstone after season 5, part 1, Sheridan had to figure out how to write his character out of the show. When an actor exits a TV series, their character is typically either killed off or they move away. However, it wouldn’t be logical for John Dutton to leave the Yellowstone Dutton Ranch, which is why many believe that he will die when Yellowstone season 5, part 2 premieres. It’s simply the most believable option for John Dutton.

Taylor Sheridan’s Plan For Kevin Costner’s Absence Makes John Dutton’s Death More Likely

John Dutton’s Absence Would Have Happened Regardless Of Kevin Costner’s Exit

While speaking with Entertainment Weekly, Kelly Reilly, who plays Beth Dutton in Yellowstone, revealed that Taylor Sheridan’s plans always included John Dutton’s absence. Even before Kevin Costner left Yellowstone, the showrunner knew the neo-Western drama’s ending lacked John Dutton. Reilly explained:

“The absence was part of the ending. That’s not something that we had to pivot, that was already written into the tapestry of the story. It was always going to happen, it just happened a little bit differently.”

So, because John Dutton’s absence in Yellowstone season 5, part 2 was a part of Sheridan’s initial plan for the show’s ending, Costner’s character dying is more likely than ever. Sheridan has known how he wanted Yellowstone to end since season 1. According to many, his plan was always to do five seasons, and what better way to finish the series than with John Dutton’s death? Now knowing that his absence was always in the works, John Dutton dying in season 5, part 2 is the most logical option.

Yellowstone Season 5, Part 2 Cast
Role

Kelly Reilly
Beth Dutton

Wes Bentley
Jamie Dutton

Luke Grimes
Kayce Dutton

Cole Hauser
Rip Wheeler

Kelsey Asbille
Monica Long Dutton

Gil Birmingham

Chief Thomas Rainwater

Moses Brings Plenty
Mo

Forrie J. Smith
Lloyd Pierce

Wendy Moniz
Governor Lynelle Perry

Finn Little
Carter

Dawn Olivieri
Sarah Atwood

Jefferson White
Jimmy Hurdstrom

Brecken Merrill
Tate Dutton

Ian Bohen
Ryan

Denim Richards
Colby Mayfield

Ryan Bingham
Walker

Jennifer Landon
Teeter

Kathryn Kelly
Emily

If Sheridan was planning for Costner’s character to be absent towards Yellowstone‘s ending, it wouldn’t make sense if that was because he moved away. John Dutton up and leaving the ranch is a lazy and hasty excuse Sheridan would make if he was under pressure to change the story. However, that doesn’t seem to be the case. Killing John Dutton is a big swing that Sheridan could have been building up to for years, while the character moving away is hard to imagine. As a result, death is the most likely and reasonable option for John Dutton.

Killing John Dutton Is The Best Way To Explain Kevin Costner’s Absence

Other Reasons Would Not Be Believable

John Dutton’s death in Yellowstone season 5, part 2 just makes sense. Given his character arc and story, Kevin Costner’s character dying is the furthest thing from outlandish. Meanwhile, other explanations (like leaving the Yellowstone Dutton Ranch) would be more difficult to sell to the audience. Death is ultimately the best way to write John Dutton out of the Paramount Network neo-Western drama.

Unfortunately, John Dutton’s (probable) death must happen offscreen. Taylor Sheridan surely didn’t prepare for Costner to exit the series ahead of its final six episodes. So, even if Sheridan always planned on killing John Dutton, his original ending likely had to be altered a little bit. Costner won’t return to give his character a proper sendoff, but John Dutton dying is still the cleanest way to explain his absence in Yellowstone season 5, part 2.

How John Dutton Could Die In Yellowstone Season 5, Part 2

John Dutton Should Die Heroically

There are many ways for John Dutton to die in Yellowstone season 5, part 2. He could die from an illness (like cancer), get murdered, sacrifice himself for his family, or get trampled by a stampede of horses. Whatever the case, John Dutton deserves a heroic death. Only time will tell what fate has in store for Kevin Costner’s Yellowstone character, though, and fans will just have to watch season 5, part 2’s premiere to learn what happens to John Dutton.