Even before it was announced that Kevin Costner would exitYellowstoneahead 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 ofYellowstonemay 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,Yellowstoneseason 5, part 2 is scheduled to premiere on Sunday, June 17, 2025, on the Paramount Network.
So, since season 5, part 2 is the end (for now) and Costner leftYellowstoneafter 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 diewhenYellowstoneseason 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 withEntertainment Weekly, Kelly Reilly, who plays Beth Dutton inYellowstone, revealed thatTaylor Sheridan’s plans always included John Dutton’s absence.Even beforeKevin Costner leftYellowstone, 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, becauseJohn Dutton’s absence inYellowstoneseason 5, part 2was 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 wantedYellowstoneto 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.
Kathryn Kelly
Emily
If Sheridan was planning for Costner’s character to be absent towardsYellowstone’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 excuseSheridan 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 inYellowstoneseason 5, part 2just 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.
Beth’s Best Moments In Yellowstone, Ranked
Kelly Reilly’s Beth is one of the best characters in Taylor Sheridan’s epic Yellowstone saga, and she has plenty of memorable moments and one-liners.
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 hisabsence inYellowstoneseason 5, part 2.
How John Dutton Could Die In Yellowstone Season 5, Part 2
John Dutton Should Die Heroically
There are many ways forJohn Dutton to die inYellowstoneseason 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’sYellowstonecharacter, though, and fans will just have to watch season 5, part 2’s premiere to learn what happens to John Dutton.
Yellowstone
Cast
Yellowstone follows the Dutton family, led by patriarch John Dutton, as they defend their expansive ranch against external threats from land developers, an Indian reservation, and America’s first national park. Released on July 25, 2025, this series examines the complex dynamics and violent conflicts surrounding the largest contiguous ranch in the United States.
