Yellowstone star Kevin Costner has shared what he claims is the “real truth” behind the drama surrounding his exit from the show.
Last year it was announced that the show would be ending with the conclusion of the fifth season, the second part of which is due to air later this year.
It came amid rumours around Costner’s departure from the series to focus on his Horizon: An American Saga project and shifting priorities, with creator Taylor Sheridan expressing disappointment.
Speaking to Deadline, however, Costner has laid blame on Yellowstone, claiming that the show “kept moving their gaps” in terms of contracts. He alleged that the way they had spoken about the situation “wasn’t truthful.”
“So now I’m talking about a little bit about what the real truth of it was,” he said, going on to explain that after he made a contract for seasons five, six and seven, another contract was made in February, following negotiations.
“They wanted to redo that one, and instead of seasons six and seven, it was 5A and 5B, and maybe we’ll do six. They weren’t able to make those,” he claimed.
“Horizon was set in the middle, but Yellowstone was first position. I fit [Horizon] into the gaps. They just kept moving their gaps,” Costner added.
The actor said that he had “taken a beating from those f**king guys”.
“I just elected not to get into that. But if you know me well enough, I made Yellowstone the first priority, and to insinuate anything else would be wrong,” he continued. “I did not initiate any of those things. They did.”
He added: “They should have known that there was going to be an opportunity for me to say something.”
Digital Spy has reached out to Paramount+ for comment.
Yellowstone season 5, part 2, will air on the Paramount Network in November 2024.
