Luke Grimes revealed in a recent interview that he has not spoken to Kevin Costner since the end of their work together on Yellowstone, attributing this to their busy schedules. Grimes also suggested that it might be more meaningful for Kelsey Asbille to return as Monica Dutton in any potential flashbacks, rather than Costner's character, John Dutton, who was killed off in the show's fifth season.
Costner's departure from Yellowstone was marked by controversy, with series creator Taylor Sheridan noting that Costner was initially contracted for only three seasons but stayed on for two additional seasons due to the show's popularity. This shift in the cast dynamics reflects broader trends in television, where actor availability and character arcs significantly impact storytelling.