What it has helped to do Yellowstone such a cultural phenomenon is the series’ commitment to taking risks—especially with onscreen deaths.
The hit series premiered on Paramount in 2018. followed the fictional Dutton familyowners of the largest ranch in Montana. Many spectators came for Kevin Costnerportraying family patriarch John Dutton and remained for the series’ other leading roles, incl Kelly Reilly, Wes Bentley, Gil Birmingham, Cole Houser and Kelsey Asbill.
Despite almost instant success, Yellowstone is facing some big obstacles behind the scenes. In February 2023 rumors initially surfaced about Costner’s future Yellowstone amid alleged tension between him and the creator Taylor Sheridan above the shooting schedule. Season 5 dropped the first batch of episodes a month before, while production on the second half was bolstered.
After a long hiatus, Costner confirmed in early 2024 that he he would not return to the series. John was subsequently killed off – and Costner didn’t hold back about his character’s death.
Before Yellowstone announced it was ending with Season 5, the cast had a lot to say about its future. Speculation regarding the series finale began in February 2023, when Deadline reported that Paramount Network was considering ending the series after season 5 due to scheduling conflicts with Kevin Costner, who plays the main character John Dutton. (…)
“I’ll be completely honest – I didn’t know it was actually airing last night. This is a moment of swearing at God. I see commercials with my face all over the place and I’m like, ‘God, I’m not in this one.’ But I didn’t realize that was yesterday,” Costner said on SiriusXM The program of Michael Smerkonish in November 2024 “I heard it was suicide, so that doesn’t make me rush to see him.”
Despite the alleged tension, other cast members continued to show support for the expansive Yellowstone universe — a branch centered around Beth (Riley) and Rip (Hauser) He was reportedly picked up among Yellowstonefifth season.
Keep scrolling to relive some of the most shocking deaths in Yellowstone history:
Lee Dutton
The shocking death happened in season 1 when Lee (Dave Annable) was shot and killed by Robert Long while trying to reclaim cattle from the Broken Rock Reservation.
Teal Beck
After causing trouble in Season 2, Teal (Terry Serpico) was shot by Casey Dutton as he begged for mercy — while sitting on the toilet.
And Jenkins
The land developer patched up his issues with the Duttons in Season 2, but ended up being shot and killed by mercenaries in his home.
Yellowstone is known for its over-the-top storylines and complex family drama, but the show’s cast and crew have also been involved in plenty of off-screen controversy over the years. After the Paramount Network series premiered in June 2018, the cast along with creator Taylor Sheridan pushed back against criticism that the series was written with (…)
Malcolm Beck
During season 2, Malcolm (Neil McDonough) got into a shooting match with John, as a result of his death. John shot Malcolm in the stomach and wrist as he reached for his fallen gun.
Sarah Nguyen
The journalist (Michaela Conlin) was strangled to death in Season 2 by Jamie, who made the incident look like a kayaking accident.
Wade Morrow
After betraying Dutton in Season 3, Wade (Southerland boots) was lynched by Rip (Hauser) and his fellow ranchers after an attack on Teeter and Colby at the creek.
Garrett Randall
Jamie Dutton’s birth father was an antagonist throughout the fourth season. Garrett (Will Patton) was eventually shot in the side of the head by his son.
Rourke Morris
Rip killed Rourke (Josh Holloway) in season 4 by throwing a rattlesnake at him. The rattlesnake bit Rourke in the face and he quickly died from the venom.
Donnie Haskell
The sheriff was killed in season 4 after a botched restaurant robbery. Donnie (Hugh Dillon) was eating when a shooting broke out in the cafe and one of the criminals shot him in the chest.
John Dutton
The Patriarch of Dutton seemingly dead by suicide before it is eventually revealed that John’s death was a murder-for-hire plot.
Sarah Atwood
In Season 5, Hitman is hired to kill Sarah (Dawn Olivieri) after her involvement in John’s death. She was riddled with bullets by strangers and left to die in her car.
Colby Mayfield
Yellowstone the deaths kept coming in season 5 with Colby (Denim Richards) dies after being kicked in the chest by a horse.
