Kevin Costner says he didn't quit 'Yellowstone' and reveals his reaction to John Dutton's send-off

• Kevin Costner didn't return for "Yellowstone" season five, part two.
• The actor said that he "didn't quit the show," but left due to scheduling conflicts.

Warning: Spoilers ahead for "Yellowstone" season five, episode nine.

Kevin Costner was just as surprised at John Dutton's "Yellowstone" write-off as you were.

The actor spoke about the circumstances of his departure from the show, and his reaction to Dutton's end, on "SiriusXM's The Michael Smerconish Program." Costner spoke with Smerconish the day after season five, part two of "Yellowstone" premiered — and revealed that he hadn't even been aware the episode was scheduled to air.

"Yellowstone's" behind-the-scenes drama has drawn just as much attention as its on-screen action. After reports began to circulate in early 2023 that Costner may be departing the show — or at least, that his filming time may be curtailed for season five, part two — Paramount announced in May 2023 that the series' fifth season would be its last (though it's TBD whether that's actually the case). Costner confirmed in June 2023 court filings amid his divorce from Christine Baumgartner that he was no longer under contract for the series.

On Monday, Costner told Smerconish his departure from "Yellowstone" was the result of scheduling conflicts. The actor has been working on his "Horizon" film series, which debuted in May to lackluster reviews.

"I didn't quit the show," he said. "There was no, there was just a, you know, everybody has to live up to what they say they're going to do."

"Yellowstone" dealt with Costner's departure by killing his character, John Dutton, off-screen in season five, episode nine. While it initially appears that he died by suicide, the show reveals that his death was the result of a hit.

Costner told Smerconish he hadn't realized that Dutton's death was airing the night before and that he had yet to watch the episode.

"I heard it's a suicide, so that doesn't make me want to rush to go see it," Costner said. He said, however, that the death could have been a "red herring."

The actor also said that he had proposed several endings for his character over the course of "Yellowstone,'" and told Smerconish that he hadn't been certain he would remain involved up to season five. Dutton's eventual end on the show was not one of those possibilities, but Costner expressed faith in the show's direction.

"Whatever they're doing, they'll figure it out," he said. "But yeah, I had come up with two possible endings back when it wasn't going to go as long as it did."

In case you missed the premiere, here's how to stream "Yellowstone" season 5, part 2.