Kevin Costner faced probing questions from Gayle King on his official “Yellowstone” departure — and he wasn’t happy.
Speculation has swirled of friction between Costner and the show’s creator, Taylor Sheridan, since rumors of the actor’s exit surfaced in May 2023. A year later, Costner officially confirmed on June 21 that he wasn’t returning to the Paramount+ series.
On the June 27 episode of CBS Mornings, King, 69, pushed the Oscar-winning actor to his limit, questioning if he and Sheridan are “playing a game of ‘whose [ego] is bigger?’” in an awkward exchange.
“[People] say because of ‘Horizon,’ it caused problems for you on ‘Yellowstone,’” she said. “People say this about the two of you: both big egos, both very powerful, both at the top of their game, and that right now, maybe you two are playing a game of whose is bigger? Do you see it that way? Whose is bigger, Kevin?”
Costner, 69, responded, “I love the show.”
“I loved the show before anybody. It was Taylor and myself. The truth never changes – that love was really strong. The idea of going back – I would do that in a second if I felt that it was … If it was something that I could do, wanted to do, I would make it fit,” he added.
Despite Costner’s clear avoidance of the question, the veteran journalist pushed more on why he and Sheridan haven’t been “able to work it out.”
“But the characterization of you isn’t necessarily flattering,” King told him. “You made demands, you want to have a certain schedule, you want to shoot at a certain time, you want certain money.”
King added: “If it’s not that hard, why can’t the two of you be able to work it out? People would love to see that.”
“This isn’t therapy, Gayle, I mean we’re not gonna discuss this on the show,” Costner replied.
King then insisted that she’s “a good therapist,” but Costner reiterated everything he’s previously said about the series. He noted he has conducted his life “in a pretty straightforward way” and has “never missed any obligations” throughout his whole career.
The actor made similar comments to People, saying: “I liked what it was about. I love that world.”
He added “the scripts weren’t there” and that he had a new priority: his new four-part film project, “Horizon: An American Saga.”
Despite his decision to move on, Costner described “Yellowstone” as a “beloved series” in his goodbye message to fans earlier this month.
“I just realized that I’m not going to be able to continue, season five or into the future,” he said in his Instagram video.
“I loved it and I know you loved it. I just wanted to let you know that I won’t be returning,” he shared. “I love the relationships that I’ve been able to develop. And I’ll see you at the movies.”
Sheridan, 54, previously made comments on his and Costner’s relationship following the actor’s exit rumors in 2023. He acknowledged disappointment over Costner’s departure, but didn’t remark on anything negative about him.
In an interview with the Hollywood Reporter in June 2023, Sheridan said, ”My opinion of Kevin as an actor hasn’t altered.”
“His creation of John Dutton is symbolic and powerful … and I’ve never had an issue with Kevin that he and I couldn’t work out on the phone,” Sheridan told THR. “But once lawyers get involved, then people don’t get to talk to each other and start saying things that aren’t true and attempt to shift blame based on how the press or public seem to be reacting. He took a lot of this on the chin and I don’t know that anyone deserves it.”
Sheridan also commented on Costner’s “Horizon: An American Saga,” in which the actor is the writer, director, producer and star.
“His movie seems to be a great priority to him and he wants to shift focus. I sure hope [the movie is] worth it — and that it’s a good one,” Sheridan said.
The first half of “Yellowstone” Season 5 aired between November 2022 and January 2023. The final six episodes are shooting now and are scheduled to air on November 10.
