DALLAS — Taylor Sheridan’s Yellowstone has fully evolved into a real-life drama.
For most of February, reports have tried to discern whether Kevin Costner will leave the show. The Paramount Network was reportedly planning to end the series because Costner wanted to reduce his filming time. Costner’s attorney denies that he wants to cut back. Sheridan, a Weatherford resident, has been mum.
Costner stars in the show as John Dutton, head of a powerful Montana cattle-ranching family.
To Dallas Cowboys followers, the relationship sounds much like the Jimmy Johnson (Costner) and Jerry Jones (Sheridan and Paramount) dustup with Barry Switzer (Matthew McConaughey) waiting in the wings.
Even Paramount’s position that McConaughey is a “phenomenal talent with whom we’d love to partner” sounds similar to Jones’ boast that any of 500 coaches could have accomplished what Johnson did.
The Paramount Network released a statement on Feb. 6 that it had “no news to report” about Yellowstone ending soon.
“Kevin Costner is a big part of Yellowstone and we hope that’s the case for a long time to come,” a spokesperson said.
Costner’s lawyer, Marty Singer, told Puck News that suggestions the actor wants reduced filming time are “an absolute lie.”
Last week, Wes Bentley, who appears on the series as Jamie Dutton, John Dutton’s son, spoke out about the speculation.
“The news that’s come out recently about the show is, you know, it’s above my pay grade,” he told EW. “I know that they’re still working on … working things out with everyone, to make sure we shoot. And I’m confident we will. We always have before. I think it’s probably a bit of drama over nothing.”
In December, Piper Perabo, a Dallas native who plays environmental advisor Summer Higgins on the show, told TVInsider.com that she’s eager to see where the second half of season five goes.
“There’s a lot coming. Things are on the move,” she told TV Insider. “I can’t wait to get back to the back half just because I want to know what happens. I personally only know what happens up to the midseason finale up to that last second, and I don’t know what happens when we come back.”
Last month, Cole Hauser, who plays ranch foreman Rip Wheeler on Yellowstone, told EW seasons six and seven are in the works.
“We just finished five and we’ve got six and seven coming, so we’re excited,” he said.
Hauser, who joined Sheridan in an autograph session at the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo this month, was asked whether Dutton’s character would meet his end.
“I’m not the man to ask, but listen, you never know,” Hauser said. “Taylor is one of those kinds of writers where you never know what’s coming. I love that about him.”
———
