Key Points
- Yellowstone returns after nearly two years with a record-breaking 16.4M viewers.
- Mid-season premiere reveals John Dutton’s off-screen death as a major plot twist.
- Jamie Dutton and Sarah Atwood were implicated in the shocking storyline.
- New Yellowstone episodes air on Sundays on Paramount Network.
Yellowstone’s Return Breaks Viewership Records
The return of Yellowstone on Nov. 10 delivered not only dramatic storylines but also record-breaking viewership numbers. The episode, titled “Desire Is All You Need,” garnered an impressive 16.4 million viewers across multiple airings, as per VideoAmp (via The Hollywood Reporter). This figure includes two eight-network simulcasts, a CBS airing, and additional repeats on Paramount Network and CMT.
The previous record-holder was the Yellowstone Season 5 premiere in November 2022, which attracted 15.9 million viewers. The growth in viewership demonstrates the show’s enduring popularity despite a prolonged hiatus and significant cast changes, including Kevin Costner’s departure.
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How Yellowstone Handled John Dutton’s Departure?
Series creator Taylor Sheridan wasted no time addressing the absence of Kevin Costner’s John Dutton. The mid-season premiere begins with John found dead in the Governor’s Mansion bathtub, the result of a gunshot wound to the head. Although initially appearing as a suicide, Beth Dutton (Kelly Reilly) suspects foul play, pointing to her estranged brother Jamie (Wes Bentley).
Flashbacks reveal the true culprit: Jamie’s girlfriend, Sarah Atwood (Dawn Olivieri), hired an assassin to make John’s death look self-inflicted. The revelation leaves Jamie in shock, unaware Sarah would carry out such a plan. The aftermath promises escalating tensions between Beth and Jamie, with fans bracing for explosive confrontations in the final episodes.
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Kevin Costner’s Reaction to John Dutton’s Exit
According to CBR, Kevin Costner revealed during The Michael Smerconish Program on SiriusXM that he had not watched the episode.
“I’m going to be perfectly honest, I didn’t know it was actually airing last night,” he admitted. Adding further, he remarked, “I didn’t see it. I heard it’s a suicide. So, that doesn’t make me want to rush to go see it… Well, they’re pretty smart people. Maybe it’s a red herring, who knows?”
While Costner’s comments suggest mixed feelings about the creative decisions, his exit marks a significant shift for the series.
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The final episodes of Yellowstone Season 5, Part 2, air on Sundays on Paramount Network. You can catch repeats on CBS, Paramount Network, and CMT.
Source: THR
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