Luke Grimes Breaks Silence on Kevin Costner Relationship
Luke Grimes has confirmed that he and his former on-screen father, Kevin Costner, have not spoken since they stopped working together on Yellowstone, offering rare insight into one of television's most scrutinized off-screen relationships.
"I have never spoken to Kevin since we stopped working together," Grimes, 42, told USA Today in an interview published Monday, October 5. "Not for any other reason other than we are both just busy guys and life moves on."
The comments, made while promoting the second season of the CBS spinoff Marshals, mark the most direct public statement yet from Grimes about where things stand with Costner, 71, two years after the latter's abrupt departure from the flagship Paramount Network drama.
Grimes Weighs a Potential Costner Comeback
Asked whether Costner might reprise his role as patriarch John Dutton in Marshals, Grimes was equal parts doubtful and intrigued.
"I think it would be cool [to have him come back]. I doubt that will happen at this point. I don't know," he said. "If there was a flashback, I'd probably rather it be with Monica than John. I think that would be more poignant to the character. But we'll see."
Monica refers to Kayce Dutton's wife, played by Kelsey Asbille. Grimes added that there has been "no conversation" about a Costner return, though he "sure would love it" when it comes to working with Asbille again.
How the Yellowstone Split Unfolded
Costner exited Yellowstone in 2024, midway through its fifth and final season, after reports of behind-the-scenes tensions with series creator Taylor Sheridan. The actor has cited a combination of delayed scripts, prolonged production hiatuses, and scheduling conflicts with his self-funded film projects, including the multi-part Western epic Horizon.
The split became one of the most talked-about TV breakups in recent memory, particularly because John Dutton's fate was written into the final episodes without Costner on set. Grimes previously told Esquire that Costner's absence made the final season "the easiest season we've filmed."
"To be really honest, there was a part of Kevin being gone that meant some of the conflict was gone," he said in 2024, while stressing he wasn't pointing fingers. In an earlier interview, Grimes acknowledged that "whatever happened there is unfortunate" and suggested Costner simply had other passions to pursue.
No Hard Feelings, But No Contact Either
Grimes has consistently framed the distance as a natural drifting apart rather than a feud. In a December 2024 conversation with Men's Health, he said he still has Costner's phone number but doesn't feel it's his place to reach out.
"It's not a case of any hard feelings or anything. It's just, he's Kevin Costner," Grimes said. "He's a big deal. I do have his phone number — I just don't feel like it's my place to reach out. He can reach out to me if he wants to."
He also noted that the cast didn't see Costner's exit coming "the way it did," adding that such upheavals are simply part of the business.
A Franchise Moving On Without Its Original Star
While Costner's John Dutton is gone, the Sheridan-created universe has expanded aggressively. Marshals premiered earlier this year on CBS and was quickly renewed for a second season, which returned with an explosive premiere the week of September 29. The show positions Grimes's Kayce Dutton as a leading figure, stepping out from the shadow of his former co-star.
Paramount has also continued the story through Dutton Ranch, featuring Cole Hauser and Kelly Reilly reprising their roles as Rip Wheeler and Beth Dutton; the series was renewed for Season 2 after strong viewership. Sheridan is simultaneously writing several high-profile projects, including a Call of Duty film for Paramount.
The spinoff strategy reflects a broader industry trend in which successful franchises outlive their marquee names by building ensemble-driven successors. For Yellowstone, that means the Dutton legacy now rests with the next generation — both on screen and in the writers' room.
What Grimes's Comments Signal
Grimes's remarks effectively close the door — at least publicly — on a meaningful Costner reunion in the near term. There has been no formal conversation, no planned flashback, and no indication from CBS or Paramount that John Dutton will appear in Marshals. Even Grimes's hypothetical preference leans away from a John Dutton scene, favoring a more emotionally grounded moment with Monica instead.
That framing matters: it suggests the spinoff's creative identity is intentionally distinct from the original series rather than dependent on nostalgia. For fans still hoping for a Costner comeback, Grimes's response is a gentle but firm reality check.
At the same time, his repeated insistence that there are no hard feelings keeps the door technically open. If Costner ever wanted to return, Grimes has made clear he wouldn't object. Until then, the two men remain connected by a shared chapter of television history — and little else.
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