Sources say Costner began to feel more distant from the cast as the seasons went on, while Sheridan — who wrote every episode himself — became the nucleus of production.

Among the most talked-about revelations from The Hollywood Reporter’s deep dive was an alleged disagreement between Costner and Wes Bentley, who played Jamie Dutton. A spokesperson for Bentley confirmed to THR that the two actors did have a “work-related argument during an emotional and physically tough scene,” but clarified that it “was discussed and resolved.”

“My opinion of Kevin as an actor hasn’t altered,” Sheridan told The Hollywood Reporter last year. “His creation of John Dutton is symbolic and powerful … and I’ve never had an issue with Kevin that he and I couldn’t work out on the phone.” He also dismissed the viral claim that he once told Costner to “stick to acting.”

“I never had that conversation with Kevin. There was a time in season 2 when he was very upset and said the character wasn’t going in the direction he wanted. … Kevin felt season 2 was deviating from that, and I don’t know that he was wrong. In season 3, we steered back into it.”

Costner would later go on to win a Golden Globe for his performance as John Dutton. Yellowstone is streaming now on Peacock.