“I don’t run much of a democracy”: Taylor Sheridan’s Brutally Honest Words About the Way He Runs ‘Yellowstone’ Set Have Not Aged Well After Kevin Costner’s Exit

Once Kevin Costner left the series, accusations were made against the Dances with Wolves actor about his demanding nature on the sets of his movies and shows. Costner opened up to PEOPLE about the Yellowstone drama, sharing that the producers offered less money than previous seasons. When Costner negotiated for more money, the producers walked away from the deal.

Costner’s other major issue was splitting the fifth season into two parts which created a scheduling conflict with his passion project, Horizon. The Waterworld actor got fed up waiting on scripts for Season 5 Part 2. One source shared about the delay in scripts to THR, “How can you schedule something when there are no scripts? [Sheridan’s] doing eight other shows.”

Taylor Sheridan shared with THR that he was ready to schedule the shoot in a way that would work for Costner. However, Costner’s more money and less time demand were not met by the studio. It was also speculated that Costner found issues with Sheridan’s creatives. Sheridan makes no compromise about his writing as was evident from his interview with CBS Sunday Morning.

Speaking to Lee Cowan, Sheridan shared that he did not run the Yellowstone set like a democracy. Cowan talked about his “directness” in the news story, as Sheridan shared about how he let no one interfere with his writing process (via CBS):

I don’t run much of a democracy. I don’t tell people how to act, I don’t need anyone to tell me how to write.

Sheridan further shared in his THR interview that he had no issue with Costner. However, he went on to share that once lawyers got involved, there were attempts to shift the blame based on how the press or public reacted. Surely, Sheridan’s image took a major hit after the duo’s feud ended one of TV’s most successful shows.

Kevin Costner’s Latest Statements Also Show Taylor Sheridan In A Bad Light
Kevin Costner in Yellowstone

During his recent appearance on The Howard Stern Show, Kevin Costner shared that he did not believe for a second that Yellowstone can’t go on without him. Costner’s sincere answer won over many fans of the show. He shared that he would never take the position that the show was no good without her. Costner shared with The Howard Stern Show:

I do… I really do believe it [the show would go on without me]. I’m not sure, but I never take the position, ‘Oh, well here’s my leverage. The show’s no good without me.’ I don’t believe that for a f—ing second. I believe it would be different.

He was also humble about the show when he confirmed his absence from Yellowstone Season 5. He shared on his Instagram that the series changed him and that it will always remain beloved to him. He shared with his fans that he loved the relationship the series created between them. Costner shared:

Thinking about Yellowstone, that beloved series that I love, that I know you love. I just realized that I’m not going to be able to continue, season five or into the future. [The show] was something that really changed me.

I loved it and I know you loved it, and I just wanted to let you know that I won’t be returning. I love the relationship we’ve been able to develop, and I’ll see you at the movies.

Costner’s take on the series has portrayed Sheridan in a bad light among fans of the show. The second part of Yellowstone Season 5 will return to Paramount Network this November and fans will miss the Man of Steel actor in the role of John Dutton.

The series is now available for streaming on Peacock.