Skip to main contentSkip to footer
Luke Grimes and Kevin Costner in Yellowstone© Shutterstock

Yellowstone's Luke Grimes addresses major fan upset amidst controversial season 5B

The actor accepted that John Dutton's storyline was 'shocking' 

Megan Bull
TV Writer
November 20, 2024
Share this:

Luke Grimes understands the backlash surrounding Yellowstone. The actor – who reprises his role as Kayce Dutton in season five, part two – was quizzed about Kevin Costner's controversial exit. 

Upon the show's return on November 10, fans quickly learned that his character, John Dutton, had been killed off in an apparent suicide, which was later revealed as a paid-for assassination. With viewers mourning the patriarch's demise on social media, Yellowstone has since faced backlash over the storyline, but for Luke, 40, it "had to happen." 

yellowstone facts© Paramount
Luke Grimes acknowledged that John Dutton's death had upset fans

Speaking with Good Morning America, the star explained: "It's supposed to be shocking, and it's supposed to kind of sweep the rug out from under you, the way that this show always has. There's always something happening that you don't see coming, and that's sort of the beauty of it.

"I know there's some fans that are upset," he continued, but I think this sort of had to happen to open the story up. "It's like, can it survive without him, without the immovable force, you know? And it really does. It blows the story wide open."

Luke Grimes attends the Premiere Party Yellowstone season 2© Tommaso Boddi
Luke noted that the storyline "had to happen"

As fans well know, the writers' decision to kill John Dutton, was prompted by Kevin Costner's departure from the show. In May, the A-lister took to Instagram, confirming that he was unable to appear in series 5B due to a scheduling conflict with his ongoing film saga, Horizon

Kevin himself has responded to his character's demise, although he hasn't watched it. Appearing on The Michael Smerconish Program this month, he said: "I'm going to be perfectly honest. I didn't know it was actually airing last night.

"That's a swear to god moment. I've been seeing ads with my face all over the place and I'm thinking, 'Gee, I'm not in that one.' But I didn't realize yesterday was the thing."

WATCH: Yellowstone season 5B – trailer

"I heard it's a suicide," he continued, "so that doesn't make me want to rush to go see it. They're pretty smart people. Maybe it's a red herring. Who knows? They're very good. And they'll figure that out."

With John's death hovering over the Dutton family, it's already driving the series. In Sunday's episode, Beth – who's convinced that Jamie had something to do with it – is on a warpath, and confronts her brother. Sure, Jamie didn't directly order the hit, but his girlfriend Sarah did, and he's all too happy to hold the keys to the kingdom. 

Kayce (Luke Grimes) and Beth Dutton (Kelly Reilly) in Yellowstone© Shutterstock
Kayce and Beth Dutton (Kelly Reilly) have teamed up to find out what really happened to John

In a tense moment, Beth slapped Jamie and vowed to be the last person he'd see in his final moments, before calling Kayce. After calling an old military buddy to get the scoop on groups capable of carrying out John's assassination, Kayce officially launched his investigation, leaving fans hopeful that Jamie's whole world would come crumbling down. 

Sign up to Off Camera for all the gossip and goings-on from the wonderful world of TV and film

By entering your details, you are agreeing to HELLO! Magazine User Data Protection Policy. You can unsubscribe at any time. For more information, please click here.

More TV and Film

See more