Kevin Costner has revealed that he will not be returning to Yellowstone. The actor, who stars as John Dutton in the Paramount drama, made the announcement via social media just hours after the return date for the final six episodes was revealed.
Taking to social media, Kevin confirmed in a video that he will not be reprising his role on the show despite previously expressing an interest in returning. "An update for you guys. I'll see you at the movies," read the caption.
Addressing his followers, Kevin said: "I want to reach out and let you know that after this long year and a half of working on Horizon and doing all the things that's required, and thinking about Yellowstone, that beloved series that I love, that I know you love, I just realized that I'm not going to be able to continue Season 5B or into the future."
He continued: "It 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 and I love the relationship we've been able to develop and I'll see you at the movies."
Earlier on Thursday, it was announced that the second part of the fifth and final season would arrive on Paramount on November 10, with the episodes premiering in the UK the following day on November 11.
Kevin's announcement comes shortly after he spoke out about reports blaming his absence on his filming schedule for his upcoming epic Western film, Horizon: An American Saga.
"I read all the stories. I was disappointed that nobody on their side… ever stepped up to defend what it was I actually did for them," he told People. "There came a moment where I thought, 'Wow, when is somebody going to say something about what I have done versus what I haven't done?'"
The 69-year-old went on to say that he would still be interested in reprising his role."I've always felt that…It might be an interesting moment to come back and finish the mythology of this modern-day family," he said. "And if that happens, I would step into it if I agreed with how it was being done."
"In the very end, I couldn’t do any more for it than I had already done," he added.
During an interview with GQ back in May, Kevin claimed that his future in the drama was in the hands of the show's creator Taylor Sheridan, who was aware of his "conditions".
"Well, Taylor and I know what the conditions are for coming back, and I'll just keep that between ourselves," he told the publication. "And if we can't get to it, it's because at the end of the day, it's unreasonable for them or something."