Fri Nov 08 05:40:00 UTC 2024: ## Yellowstone Star Luke Grimes Reflects on Kevin Costner’s Departure, Says It Felt Like “Landing the Plane”

**LOS ANGELES** – Luke Grimes, known for his role as Kayce Dutton in the hit Paramount Network series “Yellowstone,” recently opened up about the impact of Kevin Costner’s exit from the show. Costner, who played patriarch John Dutton for nearly eight years, left the series amid scheduling conflicts with his other project “Horizon: An American Saga.”

Grimes shared with PEOPLE that the absence of Costner felt like a turning point for the show, comparing it to “landing the plane for real.” He acknowledged that the patriarch’s eventual departure was always a part of the story, highlighting the narrative of “what do these kids do? What does this family do when their rock is gone?”

“It definitely felt like, ‘Okay, we’re coming in for a landing,'” Grimes said, referring to Costner’s absence. “It definitely felt different. He’s a big presence, man, guy’s an icon.”

Despite the change, Grimes expressed confidence in the show’s future, emphasizing the strong bond within the cast. He also touched upon the dynamic between Kayce and his family, noting the character’s inner conflict between loyalty and self-preservation.

Regarding the future of “Yellowstone,” Grimes acknowledged the pressure to continue the successful series. However, he emphasized that the show’s future rests solely on creator Taylor Sheridan’s vision.

“I think when anything is this successful, there’s a pressure to keep it going,” Grimes said. “But it all comes down to Taylor’s vision. He has to see it to be able to write it, and I don’t think he’s going to write something that he doesn’t want to.”

The new season of “Yellowstone” premieres on Sunday, November 10 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on the Paramount Network. All five seasons are currently available on Peacock and Paramount+.

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