'Yellowstone' director says Kevin Costner is 'still central' to final episodes despite his exit

No matter what happens, John Dutton will always be the patriarch of the Dutton family.

Premiering the highly anticipated final episodes of Yellowstone Christina Voros, who directed four of the six remaining episodes, sheds new light on how Kevin Costner's character will remain part of the family's history despite the actor's exit from the series.

“His presence is essential,” Voros said The Hollywood Reporter how Costner's character influences the final episodes.

While she didn't reveal much about what that means — “I think saying more would potentially jeopardize all the work that went into editing the scripts,” she said — but Voros reiterated that “he's the patriarch and his Presence is an essential part of the story.”

“John Dutton is still central.”

Production on the final episodes of the hit western series began in May, after months of back and forth between Coster, 69, and creator Taylor Sheridan.

Costner told PEOPLE he was “disappointed” by the narrative that emerged about the creative differences between him and Sheridan regarding the show, and said the real reason for his exit was that “the scripts weren't there.” .

“There was a moment when this show stopped for me for 14 months… That's a fact. “I could have done a lot of things in that time, but I didn't know this (assault) was going to happen,” he said.

“I was disappointed that no one on her side ever stood up to defend what I actually did for her. There came a moment when I thought, 'Wow, when is someone going to say something about what I did?'” What didn't I do?'”

In June, the actor confirmed in an Instagram post that he would not be returning to the series, calling “Yellowstone” a “beloved show that I love.”

“I just realized I can't continue Season 5b or in the future,” he said in a video. “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'm not coming back.

Despite all the back and forth, the cast is happy with the end of the series. Luke Grimes, who plays Kayce Dutton, narrated Weekly entertainment last month that he “couldn’t be happier” with the finale.

“I think it's a perfect ending to the series for every character,” he said. “It's just a testament to what a good writer Taylor is, and it's a very, very deep, beautiful ending. I can’t wait to sit down and watch it one day.

His co-star Kelly Reilly, who plays his sister Beth Dutton, echoed his praise, saying the final episode's writing was “so good.”

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The final episodes of Yellowstone Season 5 premieres Sunday, November 10 at 8pm ET/PT on Paramount Network.