Yellowstone: Kevin Costner Only Hired For A Few Episodes, What Changed?!

Kevin Costner became famous through films such as “Bull Durham” and “Field Of Dreams.” And then came the chance to try the small screen with a then-unknown show called “Yellowstone.” But initially, the TV newcomer hesitated before taking a risk on a 10-episode commitment. 

And as “Yellowstone” fans know, that unknown show turned into a major hit. Find out what Costner has revealed about his initial hesitation. And discover what changed his mind and transformed Kevin into one of TV’s hottest leading actors. We’ve got the scoop below! 

Kevin Costner Took A Risk On ‘Yellowstone’

On June 20, 2018, “Yellowstone” premiered, starring Kevin Costner. But initially, critics didn’t react favorably to the show. For instance, Rotten Tomatoes summed up the reviewers’ reactions as “too melodramatic to be taken seriously.” As a result, “Yellowstone” season 1 received only a 5.8 on a scale of 10 average rating. 

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And given that Costner limited his initial commitment to 10 episodes, some thought that he would end his time on the show. But something about “Yellowstone” appealed to the actor. And his decision to continue paid off, with ratings soaring! 

In a recent interview, Kevin looked back on his initial reactions to the script and what made him decide to extend his commitment to the show, per Looper. “I don’t think you can ever guarantee popular or critical success,” pointed out Costner. “The only thing you can guarantee is your belief in the quality of the script you’re doing.”

Kevin Costner Compares ‘Yellowstone’ To ‘Field Of Dreams’

As a result of the “Yellowstone” TV show’s popularity, some fans assumed that Kevin knew it would turn into a major success. Wrong. And Costner compared that first script for ‘Yellowstone” to the scripts for his hit movies like “Bull Durham.”

“I could never have predicted the success of ‘Field of Dreams’ or ‘Bull Durham,'” confessed the actor. “Those were films made for under $10 million. But I knew they were good. I knew there was gold dust on the scripts.”

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And that theme of seeking “gold dust” helped Kevin when he first reviewed the “Yellowstone” pilot script. As he read through the pages, Costner spotted “a little of that gold dust.” But the actor also confessed that he remained unsure about whether “Yellowstone” would prove popular.

“I couldn’t have predicted its popularity, or looked five years ahead,” he commented. “But I’m never surprised at what quality can turn into. Being popular and really good doesn’t have to be mutually exclusive. And so, I’m pleasantly surprised.”

As a result of that magical combination of quality and popularity, the “Yellowstone” TV show’s season 4 finale got viewed by an audience almost 80 percent greater than the season 3 finale. And the numbers confirmed that Kevin’s “gold dust” ESP proved true! For instance, “Yellowstone” ranked number one on the list of 2021’s most popular TV shows for viewers between 18 to 45 and 25 to 54. 

Tell us what you think. Do you believe that “Yellowstone” could have soared in popularity without Kevin Costner? And after you’ve shared your views, check back on our site for more TV news!