In a jaw-dropping twist that has left Yellowstone fans stunned, it’s now confirmed that the smash-hit Western series was originally planned to run for at least three more seasons — until Kevin Costner’s shocking fallout with creator Taylor Sheridan abruptly derailed everything.

Costner, who brought grit and gravitas to the role of John Dutton III, walked away from the series after the first half of Season 5. What followed was a storm of behind-the-scenes tension, heated negotiations, and crushed hopes for what could have been a long-running epic finale to the Dutton legacy.

According to a new report from Bloomberg, Sheridan had envisioned Yellowstone continuing well beyond its fifth season. But tensions reportedly came to a head in 2023, when Costner allegedly clashed with Sheridan over scheduling conflicts, creative differences, and script control. Despite rumors that Costner later expressed interest in returning to properly close out his character’s story, the damage was done — and Yellowstone was forced to end early.

The ripple effects are massive: a once-grand multi-season arc has been cut short, and fans are left wondering what epic showdowns, betrayals, and legacies they’ll never get to see unfold.

While the flagship series is done, the Dutton dynasty lives on. CBS is rolling out Y: Marshals starring Luke Grimes as Kayce Dutton in 2026, and this fall, Cole Hauser and Kelly Reilly reprise their iconic roles as Rip and Beth in Dutton Ranch on Paramount Network.

Still, fans can’t help but mourn what might have been: a sprawling, eight-season saga of power, family, and the American West — now lost to an unresolved feud.