Inside the 'Yellowstone' Farewell: Luke Grimes on Kevin Costner's Departure and the Series' End

With "Yellowstone" set to bid farewell, co-star Luke Grimes shares his thoughts on Kevin Costner's departure and the impact the series has had on his life and career.

"Yellowstone," the popular Western drama series, is gearing up for its final curtain call, and fans eagerly await the fate of Kevin Costner's iconic character, John Dutton III. Amidst the speculation surrounding Costner's departure and the show's impending end, co-star Luke Grimes, who portrays Kayce Dutton, the youngest son of Costner's character, has opened up about his experiences working alongside the Hollywood legend and the transformative journey he has embarked on during his time on the series.

In an interview with the Independent, Grimes expressed his respect for Costner's dedication to his passion projects, stating, "At a certain point, you gotta do what you gotta do, man; you gotta do what you love." Speculation of a feud between Costner and production has been fueled by delays in shooting new episodes, which were allegedly prolonged due to Costner's involvement in other projects. However, Grimes remained circumspect, saying, "Whatever happened there is unfortunate if it's changed anything about how the show will unfold."

The Western saga's impending end has prompted a wave of nostalgia among cast and crew. "For seven years, we've been doing this, and we started in 2017," Grimes told People magazine. "That's crazy. This cast and crew, they're like a second family, we spend a lot of time together. It's been one of the most intense experiences of my life. Also, one of the most rewarding. It's changed my life in every way possible."

Grimes credits "Yellowstone" with shaping his career and personal growth. "Nothing will ever be the same because of this show in all sorts of ways, good and bad. I will miss it terribly. I know that. I mean, I think I'm ready to know how it ends. I'm ready to tell the end of the story," he said.

Costner, who has been busy with his latest passion project, "Horizon: An American Saga," has expressed his uncertainty about returning for the final season of "Yellowstone." "I'd like to be able to do it, but we haven't been able to — I'm not sure how it's being worked out," he said in an interview with Entertainment Tonight at CinemaCon in Las Vegas.

Despite the uncertainty surrounding Costner's return, Grimes believes the series will conclude with a satisfying resolution. "I've kind of had my own fantasy how it might be, but that's Taylor's thing," he said, referring to creator Taylor Sheridan. "I said as much to him, you know, a while back. Maybe he doesn't remember. I had thoughts how it could happen, but we just have to see."

With the final episodes of "Yellowstone" set to air in November, fans eagerly anticipate the resolution of the Dutton family saga. Whether or not Kevin Costner makes a grand return, the series has undoubtedly left an indelible mark on the cast and crew, and its legacy will continue to inspire and entertain audiences for years to come.