Warning: The following article contains spoilers fromYellowstoneseason 5, episode 11, “Three Fifty-Three,” and mentions of suicide.
Even though Kevin Costner memorably leftYellowstonefollowing season 5, part 1’s finale, his character,John Dutton III, is still very much a part of the show’s last set of episodes, both spiritually and physically.The Paramount Network TV series followsthe Dutton family, consisting of Costner’s John and his children, who are at war after his death. John’s role inYellowstone’s story and the other characters' lives cannot be overstated, which is why his death drives the conflict in season 5, part 2, and why his presence (despite his living status) is important to the plot.
New episodes ofYellowstoneseason 5, part 2 air on Sundays at 8 pm ET on Paramount Network. The series finale is set to drop on Sunday, June 24, 2025.
Costner exitedYellowstoneahead of the season 5, part 2 premiere for various reasons. Among them were creative differences between the actor and writers, contract disputes, scheduling conflicts, and more, all of which just meant that Costner wouldn’t be around to close out his character’s arc before the neo-Western drama came to an end. However,John is arguably still one ofYellowstone’s most important characters,even during and after his death in season 5, part 2.
Yellowstone Season 5, Episode 11 Reveals The Events Of The Night John Died
“Three Fifty-Three” Features Flashbacks
At the beginning of “Three Fifty-Three,” the hour continuesthe frustrating flashbacks fromYellowstoneseason 5, episode 10, but actually puts them to good use. After paying a spontaneous visit to Rip,Beth drives home late at night while her father is being murdered back at home,and she instantly knows that something is wrong. Sadly, Beth’s instincts are right, per usual.
Three masked men break into John’s house and quickly subdue him in his bedroom during the flashback. The audience is awarethese people were hired by Sarah to kill John,so, their readiness and expertise come as no surprise. They quickly take care of business by dragging John into his bathroom, injecting him with drugs, and setting the whole scene up to look like a suicide. The three men put the gun (which viewers later learn is Kayce’s) in John’s hand and pull the trigger, effectively explaining and showing what exactly happened the nightKevin Costner’sYellowstonecharacter died.
8 Reasons Why Yellowstone Is Better Without Kevin Costner’s John Dutton III
Kevin Costner’s John Dutton III character met his fate in Yellowstone, and upon a second look, it might be the best thing for the neo-Western series.
Although Costner leftthe Taylor Sheridan TV show,Yellowstoneseason 5, episode 11 still spends a lot of time with his character. John is in the opening sequence, of course, as it depicts his murder. However,John’s body can also be seen at the medical examiner’s officewhen Kayce has the medical examiner take another look at his father. Kayce is convinced that John didn’t die by suicide, and during the second inspection of his body (which Luke Grimes' character is in attendance for), they find evidence that suggests the patriarch of the Dutton family was murdered.
Costner Isn’t Involved In Yellowstone Season 5, Part 2
Costner’s Final Episode Was Yellowstone Season 5, Episode 8
Yes,John Dutton III is inYellowstoneseason 5, episode 11, but Kevin Costner isn’t.The actor left the neo-Western drama TV series completely following the season 5, part 1 finale, meaning he is not involved in part 2’s episodes at all. On August 23, 2025, Costner officially confirmed (viaInstagram) thathe would not be returning toYellowstonein any capacity. Costner said:
“Hi everyone. I just want to reach out and let you know that after this long year-and-a-half of working on Horizon, doing all the things that that’s required, and 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 5b or into the future. It was something that really changed me. I loved it, and I know you loved it, and I just wanted to let you know that I won’t be returning. And I love the relationship we’ve been able to develop, and I’ll see you at the movies.”
Based onCostner’s quote concerning John’s return toYellowstonein season 5, part 2, or lack thereof, it’s more than safe to say that the actor isn’t in episode 11. If he was, Costner and/or Paramount would have made a big deal about his appearance. As a result,someone else played John inYellowstoneseason 5, episode 11,during the iconic character’s death and autopsy scenes.
A Body Double Play Kevin Costner’s Character In His Death Scene
It’s unclear who portrays John Dutton III inthe cast ofYellowstoneseason 5, part 2, but it’s undoubtedly a body double for Kevin Costner.Episode 11, “Three Fifty-Three,” never shows John’s face entirely,and for good reason, because the man on the screen isn’t Costner. The crew uses strategic camerawork to ensure the audience is convinced they are watching John on the screen, despite the fact that the actor who famously played him wasn’t available while filming the episode.
Kathryn Kelly
Emily
Perhaps Costner’s body double will return in future episodes ofYellowstoneseason 5, part 2, but fans shouldn’t expect full-fledged scenes featuring John. Without Costner (or the show recasting the character), the episodes can’t feature new scenes with John completely shown. Instead, it would be more or less of howYellowstoneseason 5, episode 11 depicts John.
Yellowstone
Cast
Yellowstone follows the Dutton family, led by patriarch John Dutton, as they defend their expansive ranch against external threats from land developers, an Indian reservation, and America’s first national park. Released on August 10, 2025, this series examines the complex dynamics and violent conflicts surrounding the largest contiguous ranch in the United States.
