Kelly Reilly Reveals John Dutton’s Absence Was Always Part of Yellowstone’s Conclusion

Kelly Reilly Reveals John Dutton’s Absence Was Always Part of Yellowstone’s Conclusion

Kelly Reilly Reveals John Dutton’s Absence Was Always Part of Yellowstone’s Conclusion

“It was always going to happen; it just happened a little bit differently,” Kelly Reilly stated regarding the fate of her character’s father in Yellowstone.

While many elements of the series’ ending remain under wraps, one thing is clear: Kevin Costner will not return as John Dutton, the family’s patriarch. The details surrounding John’s departure are closely guarded, along with the future dynamics between Beth (Reilly) and Jamie (Wes Bentley). However, according to Reilly, John’s absence has always been integral to the conclusion that series creator Taylor Sheridan envisioned from the very beginning. “The absence was part of the ending,” Reilly told Entertainment Weekly. “That was already woven into the fabric of the story. It was always meant to happen, just in a slightly different way.”

Reilly has been aware of Sheridan’s intended ending since he first revealed it to her during the show’s inaugural season. As she previously mentioned, Sheridan originally planned for the series to span five seasons before it became a massive hit. “He always intended for it to be five seasons, but due to the show’s success, the network and everyone wanted more,” Reilly explained. “In a sense, fate intervened, allowing us to conclude Yellowstone in the way he always imagined.”

When the first half of season five premiered in early 2023, fans were unaware they were witnessing the beginning of the show’s final season. Unexpected delays related to Costner’s schedule, a shortage of scripts, and the 2023 SAG and WGA strikes contributed to this uncertainty. As Yellowstone returns on November 10, it will air its concluding episodes without Costner. Luke Grimes, who portrays Kayce Dutton, previously hinted that fans should expect “a very, very profound, beautiful ending” to the beloved series.

For those craving more from the Yellowstone universe, several projects are in development, including a new present-day spinoff titled The Madison, featuring Michelle Pfeiffer, Matthew Fox, and Patrick J. Adams. Additionally, a prequel series named 1944 and a second season of 1923 are on the horizon, along with discussions about future stories involving characters from the flagship series.

Kelly Reilly Reveals John Dutton’s Absence Was Always Part of Yellowstone’s Conclusion

Whether or not there will be another chapter, Reilly has expressed her openness to it. She remarked, “We got to end it in a way that Taylor always envisioned. It’s a real gift.”

Fans can discover how it all concludes when Yellowstone premieres its final season on Sunday, November 10, on Paramount Network (and CBS).

Latest new from Beuteeshop