Kevin Costner’s legacy in Paramount’s hit series “Yellowstone‘ isn’t over yet, as 2024 brings renewed hope for fans!
The Hollywood veteran began his phenomenal rendition of John Duton on the beloved drama series in 2018 and has since played the fictional character throughout the show’s four seasons. Despite receiving a Golden Globe Award for his TV performance, there were rumors that the entertainer would leave the show in its fifth season.
Costner’s departure, reportedly due to a scheduling conflict, left fans concerned about his availability to film “Yellowstone.” Fortunately, the 68-year journey on the show continues thanks to the newly announced production schedule, a boon in the California sensation’s divorce from Christine Baumgartner.
Kevin Costner’s final episodes of ‘Yellowstone’ will air in 2024
The two-time Oscar winner’s departure from the series ‘Yellowstone’ caused a stir last December, with sources reporting that the TV personality would leave in season 5. Costner reportedly wanted to focus on filming the two-part Western film ‘Horizon’, which negatively affected his performance 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 were concerned about the 68-year-old’s availability to film the “Yellowstone” series, as Paramount had previously announced the program would end in 2024. the fifth season with a two-part release.
The first eight episodes of season 5 aired from November 2022 to January 2023. However, production of the program could not continue due to the SAG-AFTRA and WGA strikes. While the writers’ strike ended two months ago, the actors’ strike continues.
The suspension of all production activities due to the strikes was a blessing in disguise for Costner. According to Varietythe final episodes of “Yellowstone” will be rescheduled to air in November 2024, resolving the “McFarland, USA” star’s previous clashing commitments to the Paramount series and Western film “Horizon.”
More good news followed for “Yellowstone” fans as showrunners announced that the beloved series will have two spinoff series: “1944” and a contemporary series titled “2024.” Like the original show, both programs are co-produced by MTV Entertainment Studios and 101 Studios. Showtime & MTV Entertainment Studios CEO Chris McCarthy was excited about the upcoming projects, saying:
“Within five years, we grew ‘Yellowstone’ from a hit US cable show with five million viewers to a global hit franchise with more than 100 million fans around the world and multiple expansions – and we’re just getting started.”
McCarthy further said: “Following the success of ‘1883’ and ‘1923’, our new planned spin-offs, ‘1944’ and ‘2024’, will take audiences on an exciting, new and unexpected journey with the complex and compelling stories that has become a hallmark of the franchise and helped make it a global cultural phenomenon – thanks to the creative mind of Taylor Sheridan.”
Kevin Costner started singing with his band again after his divorce
Days before the decision on Costner’s appearance on “Yellowstone,” the 68-year-old returned to the iconic series’ location to sing away his blues following his split from Christine Baumgartner. The entertainer’s reunion with his old music group, the Modern West band, was captured on the actor’s Instagram page.
![Kevin Costner out and about in Beverly Hills](https://theblast.prod.media.wordpress.mattersmedia.io/2023/07/Kevin-Costner-scaled.jpeg)
The “Dances With Wolves” star shared a video compilation of his band’s rehearsals and live performances at the famed Million Dollar Cowboy Bar in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. The Hollywood veteran was all smiles in the clip, happy to be back performing after his difficult divorce.
Costner reiterated his appreciation for being back in Yellowstone and thanked fans for attending his shows. The California native’s caption wrote on behalf of himself and the Modern West band:
“The band and I have played an incredible number of nights at @milliondollarcowboybar. I always enjoy being in Jackson Hole, where the hospitality is as legendary as this honky tonk’s saddled bar stools. Thank you for letting us have a good time!”
Surprisingly, the Primetime Emmy Award winner had his ex-wife to thank for the creation of the Modern West band. Baumgartner had encouraged her then-husband to continue performing after Costner was out of music. The actor dropped his guitar following the dissolution of his short-lived ’90s band the Raving Boy.
During a 2014 interview, the “Bull Durham” actor reflected on Baumgartner’s influence, saying, “I kind of sat around it and hated it and kind of avoided it. She continued to follow me for two years because she saw how much I enjoyed doing it. And finally I said I would.”
The former couple ended their long-term union in May 2023 when the handbag designer filed for divorce in addition to receiving a hefty child support award. Baumgartner asked for nearly $200,000 for the duo’s three children, an expensive move that did not go as planned, with the couple settling their differences out of court.