Mon Nov 18 01:40:00 UTC 2024: ## Yellowstone Star Luke Grimes Explains Kevin Costner’s Sudden Death: “It Was Always the Plan”

**Nashville, TN** – Luke Grimes, who plays Kaycee Dutton in the hit Paramount Network series *Yellowstone*, has revealed that the death of patriarch John Dutton (Kevin Costner) was always part of the show’s plan, despite fan backlash. In an exclusive interview with PEOPLE at his Grand Ole Opry debut, Grimes addressed the controversy surrounding Costner’s shocking exit in the November 10th episode.

“I think originally he was supposed to die much earlier,” Grimes stated. He explained that while fans feel “cheated,” they actually got “way more of John Dutton than they were going to originally get.” Grimes compared the narrative to classic stories like *King Lear* and *The Godfather*, emphasizing that the loss of a family patriarch is crucial to the plot’s progression. “It was always the plan for him to have to go away for the story to really ramp up,” he said.

While acknowledging the shock value of John Dutton’s death, Grimes defended the abruptness, stating, “If it happened in such a shocking, quick way, that’s how life works, right?”

Grimes’ comments follow Costner’s own departure from the show earlier this year, citing creative differences regarding the scripts. Despite the controversy, Grimes remains focused on his burgeoning music career, celebrating his Grand Ole Opry debut while promoting his self-titled album.

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