"Yellowstone" fans are outraged over how the show handled Kevin Costner's exit in the Season 5 Part 2 premiere.
Minutes into the episode, Costner's John Dutton is found dead by a gunshot wound. It's initially believed that he committed suicide.
However, it's later revealed that John was actually murdered in a plot orchestrated by lawyer Sarah Atwood (Dawn Olivieri), who is sleeping with Jamie Dutton (Wes Bentley).
While Costner confirmed his exit from the show before the second half of Season 5, fans were still shocked at how his beloved character went out.
Viewers slammed the Paramount Network cowboy series and creator Taylor Sheridan on social media for the shocking decision.
"John Dutton deserved to go out like a gladiator, not a victim. Completely undoes the series. I'm not a fan at all how #Yellowstone handled Costner's departure," one fan wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
"If THAT'S how they decide to end a great character like John Dutton... THAT'S BULLS-T," another person said.
"Truly sad that John Dutton would be killed off of #YellowstoneTV by suicide. Kevin Costner IS #Yellowstone . Shame on you Taylor Sheridan. Boooooooo!!! He deserved better. And he should've been on this season. America can vote you out too!" someone else wrote, before the episode revealed how John Dutton actually died.
A different viewer said, "Even thought we know KEVIN COSTNER wasn't supposed to come back for the rest of #Yellowstone. The way to end his character was just dumbfounded and lazy. Could've been a better way or he just could've rode off into the sunset."
"The fans of this show & Kevin Costner (John Dutton) deserved way better! Taylor Sheridan I don't know if I'll support another of your shows!!! #Yellowstone and ratings will suffer! The laziest writing," another fan complained.
Other viewers pointed blame at Costner, 69, for walking away from the show in the middle of its final season.
"Kevin Costner ruined what should've been a perfect ending to this show and all for a failed 3 part sh-t movie," someone wrote, referring to Costner's "Horizon" film series that he's now focused on.
"Anybody who is surprised that John Dutton was killed off in the first episode of this final season of @Yellowstone hasn't been paying attention," another fan wrote, adding, "Kevin Costner was too into his other project to finish the Dutton story so Taylor Sheridan did what he had to. On to the next."
News broke in May 2023 that Costner would not return to "Yellowstone" after Season 5 Part 1.
That same month, it was announced that the show would end with Season 5, leading to speculation that the show was ending in part because Costner was leaving.
Sheridan, 54, indicated that Costner was choosing "Horizon" over "Yellowstone" -- but Costner had a different story.
In May 2024, the Oscar winner told Deadline that "Yellowstone" had "first position" in his list of priorities. "I didn't do 'Horizon' because I was tired of doing 'Yellowstone.' That's a bulls - - t story. I didn't do 'Horizon' to compete with 'Yellowstone.' This [project] is something I've had a long time," he said.
"I was straight up with [Taylor Sheridan], and he said what we would do, and I believed him," said Costner. "And we didn't get there."
Costner officially confirmed his exit from the show in June 2024.
"Thinking about Yellowstone, that beloved series that I love, that I know you love. I just realized that I'm not going to be able to continue, season five or into the future," the "Hidden Figures" star said in an Instagram video.
"I loved it and I know you loved it. I just wanted to let you know that I won't be returning," he shared.
Some of the cast reacted to Costner's exit ahead of the Season 5 Part 2 premiere.
"He's such a big part of this show. I feel so lucky to have been able to work with him," Bentley, 46, told The Post.
Luke Grimes, who plays Kayce Dutton, told The Post, "When you lose a presence that big...it carries that weight in the story, too. You know, he's John Dutton. He's the patriarch. He's the movie star on our set... So, of course, when he goes away, that changes things."
"But art imitates life and it's going to feel that way in the story, too," added Grimes, 40. "I think in return, you use that weight and make it something very compelling for the story."
"Yellowstone" airs Sundays at 8 p.m. ET on the Paramount Network.