Kevin Costner's absence eases Yellowstone's final season filming

Although fans of "Yellowstone" might have missed Kevin Costner, Luke Grimes, who plays the series' patriarch's son, Kayce, managed well without him. The actor shared his thoughts about the two-time Oscar winner and his experiences from filming the fifth and final season. The episode "Life Is a Promise" aired on December 15 in the USA, and Polish viewers will see it this coming Thursday on SkyShowtime.

"I hope everyone will see that it was the right moment," Grimes said in an interview with "Esquire." "Honestly, Kevin's absence meant that some of the conflict disappeared. Of course, it wasn't super fun, but it was the easiest season we've filmed."

Costner did not return to "Yellowstone" for the final episodes due to scheduling conflicts related to his film "Horizon," which he is producing, co-writing, directing, and starring in.

Costner's absence allowed the character played by Grimes, Kayce Dutton, to develop on screen. "It was a joke on set that the dumb cowboy figured it out," Grimes said after the penultimate episode. "Kayce is like a silent killer, and it's great when he can use that energy for something good. He's a character who was influenced by his father, preferring to remain unnoticed rather than doing what his father wanted. Now he can prove himself and figure everything out," Grimes added. "It was a nice reward for me."

Kevin Costner's departure from the "Yellowstone" series affected the nature of the production, surprising many fans. Although the actor opted out of further participation, director Christina Voros indicated that his character, John Dutton, might still play a key role in the series' plot. The return of the series is eagerly awaited due to the family conflict among the Dutton children, which is a central point of the final episodes.

In the final part of the fifth season of "Yellowstone," without Kevin Costner's presence, the main plot becomes the confrontation of John Dutton's children. After his death, caused by intrigues and murders, Beth and Jamie must face their father's legacy.

The "Yellowstone" series focuses on the struggles of the Dutton family with external enemies, including developers and the native inhabitants of the reservation. From episode to episode, viewers of the series are increasingly taken aback by the creators' increasingly absurd script decisions.