Saddle Up: How Kevin Costner Rode into His Starring Role on Yellowstone

Written By Dara Singh

[{"selector":"#anim-6a505ea4-fed7-46c8-9bd6-ad8a5b72e1cb [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Costner had been absent from TV for years before Yellowstone came along. His last major TV role was in 2012's Hatfields & McCoys.

[{"selector":"#anim-b0689cab-3e2a-4ab3-86e1-0d3e5c739541 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(33.12499989760315%, 0, 0) translate(25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-fcebdbd7-c7f7-4402-982b-0d06fb42a7e6","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-d8c8d725-b3e0-472c-a984-1972fda02643","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 145.54095%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] The actor was eager to find the right project to mark his return to television.

[{"selector":"#anim-a8669671-68a2-424f-94b6-e9841de70c34 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-4c08f47b-96e5-4463-bc4b-50c133bc7ef3","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-402a636e-a563-43c0-bd25-70794f8f17b1","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 132.68851%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Costner and writer/director Taylor Sheridan had previously discussed wanting to work together.

[{"selector":"#anim-045fee13-5ab4-4e5f-a4b2-3f1389990d19 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(13.679245325304503%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-33186707-11eb-4edd-bf9f-33840f582531","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-f4319500-33aa-4f97-a376-30352ea14923","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 136.82034%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Sheridan specifically wrote the lead role of John Dutton with Costner in mind.

[{"selector":"#anim-f140bc59-5359-4a39-9b38-b15994e0e4ff [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-6f29a007-b328-4394-97e1-97a128e021e8","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-1aafa442-002b-4040-af4a-d1fc0384c284","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 133.09693%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Costner signed on as both the star and an executive producer of Yellowstone.

[{"selector":"#anim-43358a89-1a0b-40d5-8377-07182b21a13b [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-3c4c2be6-bd5a-4c86-aae9-f9f0c8eb6853","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-bd30c31f-e23d-4b79-acf1-7fb2509e0fba","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 138.94801%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] The Paramount Network drama marked a key comeback for Costner.

[{"selector":"#anim-5abb76b8-c7c9-4843-9131-fa32d44c5377 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(-14.150943439970177%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-ba79f1d8-e37f-4a64-879e-17d4bd2bb05f","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-13357f22-2ab8-4fec-ba3d-e27151f97fc0","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 132.68851%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Costner's performance as Dutton family patriarch John Dutton e arned rave reviews.

[{"selector":"#anim-45a90f74-bd7e-4d63-afb5-22a4403f5694 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-df9bad64-268e-4be6-8339-666653801772","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-d8584649-dae1-4f56-bb97-01dd7f6280bf","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 153.18138%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] The show drew big ratings right out of the gate.

[{"selector":"#anim-b319b960-c5bd-44c3-a3f2-607ab8d3d20d [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-735a855d-972e-40a1-b9bc-6eb7011f25e1","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-edda2568-984b-4997-8442-eb8ec6118620","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 205.37402%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Never Miss Stories Swipe Up