Yellowstone star Luke Grimes has described the departure of Kevin Costner as making the final season “the easiest season we’ve filmed”. Grimes, who plays Kayce Dutton, told Esquire that Costner’s exit removed some conflict from the set.
Costner left the hit Western series amid reports he wanted to focus on his own film franchise, Horizon: An American Saga. His character, John Dutton III, was killed off in the second part of the fifth and final season.
“To be really honest, there was a part of Kevin being gone that meant some of the conflict was gone,” Grimes said. “Obviously, it didn’t make it super fun to be around. Not pointing any fingers, but it was actually the easiest season we’ve filmed.”
The actor added that the ending felt timely, saying: “It feels like good timing. Seven years is a long time to do anything.” The finale airs on December 15 on Paramount.
Creator Taylor Sheridan has announced a sequel series, The Madison, starring Michelle Pfeiffer. It will follow a New York family moving to Montana’s Madison River valley, exploring grief and human connection.
Earlier this year, Grimes told The Independent he was frustrated by the politicisation of Yellowstone, saying characters like Logan Roy from Succession receive less political scrutiny despite being flawed.
