Kevin Costner’s The legacy of Paramount’s hit series “Yellowstone” isn’t over yet, as 2024 brings new hope for fans!
The Hollywood veteran began his phenomenal run as John Dutton on the beloved drama series in 2018 and has since played the fictional character for four seasons of the program. Despite receiving a Golden Globe Award for her TV appearance, the performer was rumored to be exiting the show in its fifth season.
Costner’s departure, reportedly due to a scheduling conflict, has fans worried about his availability to film “Yellowstone.” Fortunately, the show’s 68-year run will continue thanks to a newly announced production schedule, a boon in the California sensation’s divorce from Christine Baumgartner.
Kevin Costner’s ‘Yellowstone’ Final Episode To Air In 2024
The two-time Oscar winner’s exit from the “Yellowstone” series made waves last December, with sources reporting the TV personality will be leaving in season 5. Costner allegedly wanted to focus on filming the two-part Western “Horizon,” which would have negatively affected his appearance in the Paramount series.
The first part of the film will debut in June 2024, while the next film will be released in August 2024. Many are worried about the availability of the 68-year-old actor for the filming of the “Yellowstone” series, as Paramount previously announced that it will end the program in the fifth season with two-part release.
The first eight episodes of season 5 aired from November 2022–January 2023. However, the program was unable to continue production due to the SAG-AFTRA and WGA strikes. Although the writer’s strike ended two months ago, the actor’s strike is still ongoing.
The suspension of all production activities due to the strike was a blessing in disguise for Costner. follow DiversityThe final episode of “Yellowstone” is rescheduled to air in November 2024, thus completing the “McFarland, USA” star’s previous competing commitments to the Paramount series and the Western film “Horizon.”
More good news followed for “Yellowstone” fans when the showrunners announced the beloved series will have two spin-off series — “1944” and a contemporary series titled “2024.” Like the original show, the two programs will be co-produced by MTV Entertainment Studios and 101 Studios. Commenting on the upcoming project, CEO of Showtime & MTV Entertainment Studios, Chris McCarthy, said:
“In five years, we’ve grown ‘Yellowstone’ from a popular US cable show with five million viewers into a global hit franchise with over 100 million fans worldwide and multiple connections – and we’re just getting started.”
McCarthy continued, “Following the success of ‘1883’ and ‘1923’, our new planned spinoffs, ‘1944’ and ‘2024,’ will take audiences on a thrilling, new and unexpected journey with the complex and compelling storytelling that has become the hallmark of franchise and has helped turn it into a worldwide cultural phenomenon – thanks to creative mastermind Taylor Sheridan.”
Kevin Costner Returns to Singing With His Band After Divorce
A few days before the resolution of Costner’s appearance in “Yellowstone,” the 68-year-old returned to the location of the iconic series to sing his blues after his breakup with Christine Baumgartner. The performer’s reunion with his old band Modern West was recorded on the actor’s Instagram page.
The “Dances With Wolves” star shared a video compilation of her band practicing and performing live at the famous Million Dollar Cowboy Bar in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. The Hollywood veteran is all smiles in the clip, happy to be performing again after her nasty divorce.
Costner expressed his appreciation for returning to Yellowstone, thanking fans for attending his show. Writing on behalf of himself and the group Modern West, the California native’s caption reads:
“The band and I had an incredible few nights playing @milliondollarcowboybar. I’ve always loved being in Jackson Hole, where the hospitality is as legendary as this honky tonk saddle bar stool. Thanks for showing us a good time!”
Surprisingly, the Primetime Emmy Award winner has thanked his ex-wife for forming the band Modern West. Baumgartner had encouraged her then-husband to continue performing after Costner retired from music. The actor dropped his guitar following the disbandment of short-lived ’90s band Raving Boy.
During a 2014 interview, the “Bull Durham” actor reflected on Baumgartner’s influence, saying: “I kind of surrounded and doubted it all and kind of avoided it. For two years, he was after me to do it because he saw how much I enjoyed it. And finally, I said that I would do it.
The former couple ended their longtime relationship in May 2023 when the handbag designer filed for divorce along with high child support payments. Baumgartner asked for nearly $200,000 for the couple’s three children, an expensive move that did not go as planned, with the couple settling their differences out of court.
