Will Kevin Costner make an appearance in ‘Yellowstone’ season 5? How to watch for free

“Yellowstone” aired its season 5 part 2 premiere episode on Sunday and fans learned the fate of Kevin Costner’s beloved character John Dutton.
Initially thought to have taken his own life, it is later uncovered that Dutton was murdered as part of a scheme orchestrated by Sarah Atwood, who is romantically linked to Jamie Dutton.
Does John Dutton’s death mean Kevin Costner won’t make an appearance in the final season of “Yellowstone?” Here’s everything we know about the series moving forward.
STREAM: ‘Yellowstone’ Season 5 live on Philo (free trial).
New episodes of “Yellowstone” air every Sunday at 8 p.m. ET. While Paramount Network hasn’t shared details about the upcoming episode, fans can anticipate its release on Sunday, November 17 (11/17/2024).
Related: Will there be a ‘Yellowstone’ season 6? Latest news, spin-off rumors
The Kevin Costner-led drama returned in full force, wrapping up five seasons (and two spinoffs) of storytelling about a family safeguarding the largest cattle ranch in the U.S. Costner revealed his departure from the series in June. In the mid-season premiere, the mystery of his character’s exit was resolved, as the episode opens with John Dutton’s death at the governor’s mansion.
Kevin Costner attributed his departure from “Yellowstone” to production delays that conflicted with his schedule. Since Part 1 of Season 5 concluded in January 2023, over a year passed before the show resumed. During this time, Costner was committed to filming “Horizon: An American Saga” but attempted to negotiate with Paramount and showrunner Taylor Sheridan to film a death scene for his character, John Dutton. However, no agreement was reached. Costner officially announced his exit in a spontaneous Instagram video in June 2024.
“Simply with all the questions that were being asked, the longer I thought about that … I just wanted to say that this is a stepping-off point,” said Costner in the video. “Whatever I’d hoped for maybe was not in the cards. I don’t want to keep saying, ‘Yeah, I hope I can do it.’ That’s drifted to a place that I don’t think is realistic anymore.”
Despite his departure, Costner’s character remains pivotal in the final six episodes of “Yellowstone” Season 5. Christina Voros, who directed four of these episodes, emphasized to The Hollywood Reporter that “his presence is integral” as the family patriarch.
According to the official series synopsis, “Oscar and Emmy winner Kevin Costner is the marquee attraction of the ensemble cast in this drama series, starring as the patriarch of a powerful, complicated family of ranchers. A sixth-generation homesteader and devoted father, John Dutton controls the largest contiguous ranch in the United States. He operates in a corrupt world where politicians are compromised by influential oil and lumber corporations and land grabs make developers billions. Amid shifting alliances, unsolved murders, open wounds, and hard-earned respect, Dutton’s property is in constant conflict with those it borders — an expanding town, an Indian reservation, and America’s first national park.”
Philo is the best place to watch the Yellowstone Season 5B the full season. It includes a 1-week free trial, so you can watch the next episode completely free, and is the most affordable live TV streaming service at just $28 per month after your trial for 70+ popular channels including Paramount Network, AMC, A&E, BET and more.
fuboTV also offers a 7-day free trial, and includes Paramount Network, but the monthly charge is $59.99 for the first month and $79.99 after that. However, fubo offers sports and local channels that are not available on Philo.
Sling is another decent budget option, at just $20 for your first month. But viewers will need to add the $6 Entertainment Extra pack in order to get Paramount Network. Still, it’s technically your cheapest option here. It just doesn’t include a free trial.
DirecTV Stream is pricey at $86.98 per month for its cheapest package, which includes a five-day free trial and Paramount Network. Hulu + Live TV offers no free trial, but is currently $59.99 for three months.
Looking for more Yellowstone, Season 5 info? Check out our Yellowstone Season 5 hub for additional cast and show info, as well as the latest updates on new seasons and spinoffs.