How Will 'Yellowstone' Write Off Kevin Costner? Here's What We Think Will Happen

With the mid-season premiere of Yellowstone just days away, fans have been speculating for months on how creator Taylor Sheridan would write off patriarch John Dutton, who has appeared in every episode (53 to be exact) since the show’s premiere in 2018. 

Kevin Costner announced in May 2023 he was leaving the show following a very public feud with Paramount and Sheridan. The Oscar-winning actor turned his attention to his mega-movie quadrilogy, Horizon: An American Saga.

After watching every episode and following all the drama between Costner, Sheridan and Paramount, we believe Yellowstone‘s Season 5B premiere will likely take place after John Dutton’s death. The rumor mill has been working overtime on all the ways Costner’s character will leave the show. The obvious one is that John Dutton dies, but how? Will it be swift like a heart attack? Perhaps he will suffer catastrophic injuries from a car crash, helicopter crash, or even a runaway horse?

Some of the cast were asked how they thought John Dutton should exit the series at the premiere recently. Check out their answers in a post Jen Landon shared on her Instagram feed.

Related: Kevin Costner Has No Regrets About Leaving Yellowstone to Make Horizon: An America Saga

How Does John Dutton Die on Yellowstone?

Cancer

Dutton had cancer back in the first two seasons of the show and while the cancer was supposedly removed through surgery, many of us know it could easily return. So he could succumb to the disease (or even another ailment) over several weeks or months and the show picks up after the cancer wins the battle.

Should Dutton die, the show must go on and we’ll likely return to the Dutton Ranch after the family patriarch’s demise. But will we return to it days after the character’s demise or months, even years, later? 

Costner’s exit was rumored to have been fueled by the discord between the Academy Award-winning actor and the show’s creator and main writer, Taylor Sheridan. Though unlikely, Sheridan may send off John Dutton in a humorous way, killing him off through some silly mishap or two. 

Related: Kevin Costner Left Yellowstone When Taylor Sheridan Didn’t Let Him Doctor Scripts: Report

Revenge

The Duttons have plenty of enemies also, so it wouldn’t be surprising if his character is killed off by a revenge-seeker. If that’s the case, will it be someone we’ve already met on the series or someone brand new? 

Possibly his biggest enemy is his son, Jamie (Wes Bentley). Though not his biological son, Jamie was taken in by John Dutton and raised like one of his own. Their contentious relationship might cause Jamie to take drastic measures, but Jamie would likely poison his dad than shoot him.

John Dutton lives

There’s always the theory John Dutton doesn’t die at all, but leaves the Dutton ranch for an unexpected trip. With the character out of town, John Dutton could very much still be alive and well and has merely ridden off into the sunset!

We did see someone being taken to the Train Station in the most recent trailer for Yellowstone. Is it possible that John Dutton was taken to the Train Station for his next journey?

Related: New Yellowstone Trailer Gives a Glimpse of the Fighting and Kissing to Come

Yellowstone‘s writers probably won’t spend too much time on the death itself, but its impact will be felt throughout the remainder of the season.

Next, Michelle Pfeiffer and Matthew Fox Join Modern Day Yellowstone Spinoff Series, The Madison