Yellowstone star Ian Bohen is sharing insights into the future of the series following Kevin Costner’s departure.
“I would use the analogy of a football team,” Bohen, 48, explained on the red carpet at the 2024 CMA Awards on Wednesday, November 20.
“If your quarterback gets hurt and he has to come out of the game, you have to play. So you gotta figure out another way to run the ball or throw the ball or just do different things because you can’t quit. That’s what happened. We lost our quarterback, and we still have to play the game.”
Bohen, who portrays rancher Ryan in the western drama, elaborated on the show’s adjustments post-Costner. “There’s a lot of other people there, and families, and the whole world around it—and the stadium.
Everybody has to go to work. So what are you gonna do? Well, you gotta figure it out. So that’s what we do. We found a way to figure it out.”
Costner’s departure as John Dutton, the family patriarch, had been the subject of speculation for months. He confirmed in June that he would not return for the final episodes of season 5B. The new season premiered on November 13.
Reflecting on his exit, Costner shared a heartfelt message via social media. “After this long year and a half of working on Horizon and doing all of the things that’s required, and thinking about Yellowstone, that beloved series that I love and I know you love, I just realized that I’m not going to be able to continue season 5B or into the future,” Costner said.
“It was something that really changed me. I loved it. And I know you loved it. 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.”
For Bohen, the transition hasn’t been without challenges. “You get into a certain level of comfort and understanding, and when it’s altered, it’s a little bit of a bump,” he told.
“But like anything, you just put your helmet on and you’re like, ‘I gotta go catch the next pass.’ So you can’t really dwell on it too much.”
Bohen, who fulfilled a childhood dream of playing a cowboy on Yellowstone, also reflected on the series’ immense success.
He described it as “quite the phenomenon,” likening his experience to being at Disneyland every day. “We didn’t know what it was when we started it,” Bohen admitted.
“You have this idea and you hope for the best, but you never imagine it’s gonna affect people the way that it has and reach so many people and have the response.”
The actor emphasized the responsibility the cast and crew feel toward their audience, particularly ranchers and farmers.
“We have a responsibility to service that and to try to keep it going and keep it fresh and take care of the people that we make it for,” he noted.
Bohen credited the show’s success to its dedicated team. “We’ve got a great cast and crew and writers and directors to help us do it,” he said.
“So we’re just working our butts off to make sure we don’t miss a step.” Yellowstone airs Sundays at 8 p.m. ET on Paramount Network.
