Hit modern Western show Yellowstone will release the final episodes of its fifth season in November without its lead actor, Kevin Costner.

Despite previously committing to seven seasons of the show, Costner confirmed his absence for the second part of the fifth season, which is being filmed in Montana, US.

In a video posted to social media, the 69-year-old actor said although he loved the series, he would not return to it now or for future seasons.

He said he came to the decision on the “beloved” Yellowstone series after spending the last year and a half working on Horizon: An American Saga, a series of four Western films which Costner directed, produced, co-wrote and acts.

The film series is a passion-project for Costner, who poured tens of millions of his money into the production.

The first film will be released in June, the second in August, and the final two soon afterwards.

“[Yellowstone] was something that really changed me,” Costner said, in his video message to fans.

“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.”

An update for you guys. I’ll see you at the movies. pic.twitter.com/DpuC5cOP6F

— Kevin Costner & MW (@modernwest) June 21, 2024

Despite his statement, there may be a sliver of hope Costner may return in the future.

In an interview released two days before his social media statement, Costner told People he would return to Yellowstone if the script and scenario were right.

“I’ve always felt that … it might be an interesting moment to come back and finish the mythology of this modern-day family,” he said.

“And if that happens, I would step into it if I agreed with how it was being done.”

This comes after Costner revealed in May that his return to Yellowstone hinged on decisions made by the show’s co-creator, Taylor Sheridan.

News of a rift between Costner, Sheridan and Yellowstone‘s production companies emerged last year, with rumours pointing towards financial, creative and schedule-related disputes.

In May, Costner told GQ he had originally wanted Horizon to complement Yellowstone.

But the latter’s continued production delays due to factors such as Covid and the Hollywood writers’ strike made him feel like he was missing other opportunities to work on outside projects.

Costner said he even offered to film his Yellowstone character being killed off for the second half of season five if they could get it done before he started filming his new movie.

“And somebody picked up the idea that I only wanted to work one week,” he told GQ.

“My big disappointment is I never heard Paramount or 101 really come to my defence and say, ‘That’s not true. He was going to do three more seasons’ … I don’t feel one person over there ever told the story correctly, ever, about what I had done and what I’ve been willing to do.

“That’s really f—— bothered me, that none of them would actually try to set the record straight.”

A Paramount Network spokesperson told GQ Costner had been a big part of Yellowstone’s success.

“While we had hoped that we would continue working with him, unfortunately, we could not find a window that worked for him, all the other talent, and our production needs in order to move forward together,” they said.

“We respect that Kevin has prioritised his new film series and we wish him the best.”

The remaining episodes of Yellowstone season five will be available locally on Stan from November 11, the same day as the US.