John Dutton actor Kevin Costner opens up on the Yellowstoneending, and what he thinks the characters deserved.

Premiering in 2018 and airing for five seasons, Yellowstone season 5, part 2 marked the show’s conclusion, airing on December 15, 2024. The series’ final had a polarized reception, as Costner controversially left Yellowstone, and protagonist John Dutton was killed off the show.

Costner’s exit was due to myriad reasons, with a major one being his desire to shoot his Western passion project, Horizon: An American Saga.

Costner and historian Doris Kearns Goodwin sat down with ET to discuss their new docuseries, The West, which premieres on History Channel on May 26.

In their discussion, Costner addressed the future of his ambitious Horizon project, his legacy in the Western genre, and, most interestingly, how he feels the Dutton family should have ended up in Yellowstone.

Costner complimented the show’s ability to beautifully capture “modern-day ranching“, but acknowledged that the show is also a “soap opera“, and that, presumably the Duttons, “should all be in prison.” Check out Costner’s full statement below:

“Well, it’s modern-day ranching. Yellowstone was able to capture that really so beautifully. I mean, it’s a bit of a soap opera. I mean, we all should be in prison.”

What Kevin Costner’s Comments Mean About His Relationship With The Yellowstone Universe

He Respects The Show’s Legacy But Likely Won’t Return

John Dutton in Yellowstone season 4, episode 10, sitting

Many Yellowstone fans were frustrated with Kevin Costner for prematurely leaving the series, as it never fully recovered after the death of the Dutton family patriarch.

For his part, Costner expressed hurt feelings for being what he felt was fully blamed for his Yellowstone departure. He also said in 2023 that he’ll “probably go to court” for not being paid the $12 million he claims he’s owed for the back half of season 5.

However, Costner has consistently been complimentary of the show’s high quality, and his recent comment to ET reflects that. His calling the show a soap opera is not a dismissal — he’s simply pointing out that the show has pulpy elements, and that yes, if it were more realistic, the Duttons and their allies would likely be incarcerated for their many crimes.

Though John and Jamie ended up dead, Beth and Kayce got their happily ever afters — at least for now, as that could all change in their upcoming spinoff shows.

After Horizon: An American Saga — Chapter 1‘s disappointing box office take, Chapter 2‘s release has been delayed indefinitely, though it did premiere at the 81st Venice International Film Festival in 2024, to mixed reviews.

It remains to be seen whether Costner will end up in court over the Yellowstone pay dispute, but even if that gets resolved, it’s unlikely that he’ll reprise his role as John Dutton in any way, shape, or form.

 In addition to the bad blood, Costner has his plate full with his The West docuseries and intent to finish the Horizon saga. It’s unclear if he’ll accomplish the latter, as Costner is currently in a legal battle with the bank, which wants to recoup costs, as Horizon: An American Saga — Chapter 1 reportedly cost $100 million to make, but only grossed $38 million at the worldwide box office.

Our Take On If The Duttons Should Be In Prison

Legally, Yes, But That Would Be No Fun

Beth Dutton in Yellowstone

From a legal and moral standpoint, Kevin Costner is absolutely right in that the Duttons should be in prison. Every single one of them has killed people, and so has Beth’s husband and the ranch enforcer, Rip Wheeler. But throwing the lot of them behind bars would make for a pretty boring show.

 It’s much more entertaining to have the Duttons and co. living out their soap operatic Western life with their multiple trips to the train station.

We’ll see if Beth, Rip, and Kayce have to answer for their crimes in their spinoffs, and we’re confident they’ll commit a few new ones too. However, while we don’t want to see them in orange jumpsuits anytime soon, the threat of prison would be excellent stakes in the future Yellowstone series.

But no matter what happens to his television children, it’ll be fascinating to get Kevin Costner’s take on the newest installments of the franchise he made so iconic.