Ever since Y: Marshals was placed on CBS’s 2025-2026 lineup, I’ve been thinking about how this upcoming Yellowstone show can expand the story of Luke Grimes’ Kayce Dutton. One element of this character’s life that I’m dying to know more about is his relationship with his father, who was played by Kevin Costner in the original series. I think this show has a great opportunity to do just that, too, and I actually think it can easily do it (and do it well) without the actor best known for playing the Dutton patriarch.
Now, as I’m sure you’re aware, Kevin Costner left Yellowstone ahead of its final episodes, and it was not exactly amicable. Rumors swirled for months about his exit, and issues he and the show’s creator, Taylor Sheridan, ran into that reportedly led to him not playing John anymore. Then, in the Season 5B premiere, John was killed off, and the actor who played him didn’t appear on the show again.
