The relationship between and the team has been icy since last winter, when fans learned there was a major — and as it turns out, damning — contract snag. On Thursday (Jan. 18), both sides signaled a thaw.
will wrap after Season 5 in late 2024, mostly because Costner and show producers could not agree on a new contract for the star.He wanted more time to film his four-part movie series .During his divorce proceedings, fans learned he was not under contract for the rest of Season 5 or beyond.In September, fans learned Costner and creator Taylor Sheridan had discussed his future with optimism in the summer, but hit a snag when it came to creative control.
Soon after, Paramount announced the show was ending.
Unsubstantiated rumblings that Costner may return continue to provide hope he could come back to — at the very least — film John Dutton's death scene (the podcast team notes that a lawsuit over his play-or-pay deal never materialized, perhaps indicating a compromise). There was no outward sign of progress, however, until now.
Thursday was Costner's 69th birthday, and the show's social media team wished him well. The actor noticed.
"Thanks guys," he shared with a cowboy hat emoji.
It's not much, but this is the guy who or any of his fellow cast or crew in accepting a Golden Globe for his role on
.
Fans used the exchange to pepper him with questions about if he'll come back, and nobody answered that, but here's hoping.
The announced end of Season 5 did allow for a planned plot twist for Season 6 to emerge. In November, singer that he was booked to play a long-lost Dutton brother, but that was squashed with the show's ending planned.
How big of a fan of are you? These 22 facts about the Paramount Network show are sure to stump even the most dedicated viewers. They're almost all about the cast members and their real-life passions and roles.
John's kids? Beth's accent? Rainwater's guitar playing? Tate's spoilers? It's all part of this list of 22 Facts You Probably Didn't Know About Yellowstone.
