After lots of back-and-forth, Kevin Costner shared on Thursday night he will not be returning for the final episodes of the hit drama Yellowstone.

After Paramount Network announced earlier on Thursday that the back half of season five would air this November, there was still lots of uncertainty for Costner’s status as returning as show lead John Dutton after various factors played into him not returning to the show’s production.

Well, Costner set the record straight on his Twitter (X) account later in the day and broke the sad news that he would not be returning to the series or any Yellowstone project in the future.

“I just realized that I’m not going to be able to continue season five B or into the future,” Costner said in the announcement. “[The show] was something that really changed me. I loved it, and I know you loved it. And I just wanted to let you know that I won’t be returning.”

An update for you guys. I’ll see you at the movies. pic.twitter.com/DpuC5cOP6F

— Kevin Costner & MW (@modernwest) June 21, 2024

Costner has been hard at work on his Western epic film series Horizon: An American Saga, with the first installment due in theaters next week.

As he works on the third installment in the new franchise, his days at Dutton Ranch have come to a close.

With his character on the show alive by the halfway point of season five, the folks behind Yellowstone will now have to figure out how to give the character a proper farewell without Costner in tow.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=693153997]

Don’t worry, Yellowstone fans. The hit drama will finally return for its final episodes this fall.

Paramount Network revealed on Thursday that the show will be back to finish out its fifth and final season on Nov. 10.

The show hasn’t been on air since January 2023, when a cliffhanger left the Dutton family’s power balance firmly in question.

Various issues have left show lead Kevin Costner’s status up in the air as to whether or not he’ll be appearing in the show’s final episodes.

While promoting his upcoming Horizon film series, the Oscar-winning actor and director affirmed recently that he’s open to returning to finish out John Dutton’s story, but he’s not currently slated to appear on the final stretch of the series.

“I’ve supported that thing and I’ve loved it,” Costner said, via Variety. “It’s been really important to me. I would love to go back under the right circumstances I think that all of us want. For me, it really needs to be the right circumstances.”

“Saying there’s a chance, there’s always a chance,” he continued. “I love the thing. You’ve got to be really clear about that.”

Save the date: November 10. #YellowstoneTV pic.twitter.com/sM3yK0gDSx

— Yellowstone (@Yellowstone) June 20, 2024

Whether or not Costner returns, the show is still slated to finish its run this fall.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=693153997]