Will season five of ‘Yellowstone’ be it’s last?

Doomsday struck for the number-one drama on cable television when news broke that Kevin Costner, the series lead, might be exiting the franchise.

He’s reportedly been butting heads with ‘Yellowstone’ creator Taylor Sheridan, but the network is hopeful that the two will able to work something out. Costner plays the role of John Dutton III, described as the patriarch of the Dutton clan and owner of the largest ranch in the US.

“We’re hoping it will be worked out. It’s too big a show for things not to be worked out.” said an inside source.

Kevin Costner is ready to explore new roles

Since Costner plays the family patriarch, John Dutton, his departure would leave a massive hole in the series. Costner is directing and starring in his own Western epic, ‘Horizon’, and supposedly did not have the time to shoot extensive scenes of ‘Yellowstone’.

“Hopefully Kevin will return for the remaining episodes if everyone works together, but it looks like ‘Yellowstone’ will end after this season.” noted a Paramount Network source.

Taylor Sheridan keeping cast in the dark

Another source added that the cast has largely been left in the dark, and that “only Taylor truly knows what is going on.”

“Kevin’s been extremely cooperative with working with Taylor and his production company, 101 Studios. They were supposed to shoot the second chapter of Season 5 late last year, but they just didn’t have the scripts,” said the Hollywood source.

It seems a battle of egos may be at play here as Taylor likes to be front and center in his films and has gained a lot of popularity late in his life and career.

“Taylor is overburdened and Kevin made himself available at the beginning of the year, but again, nothing was ready,” the Hollywood source added. “Kevin had already committed to making his other movies. He had given the producers his schedule.”

“In the entertainment industry, you can’t keep yourself in a holding pattern and available while the producers are not getting their act together with the scripts. There was nothing to shoot.”

Is all hope lost?

There is some hope for fans who are enthralled by the show, with the premiere earning over 12.1 million views in the first half of season five.

Keith Cox, president of development and production at Paramount Network, was in attendance and said that the network is “very confident Costner’s going to continue with our show.”

However, ‘Yellowstone’ co-star Dawn Olivieri said: “Nothing is forever.”