The Cast Of Yellowstone Can’t Seem To Stay Out Of Trouble

As a dedicated “Yellowstone” fan, I can’t help but notice that the Dutton clan seems to live by the motto, “Trouble is our middle name.” From rowdy nights out to raids, fights, and yes, even murders when necessary. It’s quite the dramatic life they lead!

Now, I don’t want to suggest for a moment that the talented cast members reenact these chaos-filled scenes in real life. But, just like their characters, they’ve had their fair share of challenges off-screen too. This is a series where a key character met an untimely and somewhat awkward end due to contract disputes between the lead actor and the producers. Quite the twist, isn’t it?

Throughout the five-season run of “Yellowstone”, both contentious remarks and legal disputes have frequently dominated headlines concerning the series’ cast, an unusually troubled group who have faced a myriad of challenges – some minor, others major – throughout their careers. Remarkably, in certain instances, these problems have even influenced the on-screen reputation of the Dutton family dynasty. Whether the troubles emerged prior to the show’s debut or coincided with “Yellowstone”‘s meteoric rise, here’s a summary of why this talented cast consistently finds themselves under scrutiny for negative reasons.

Kevin Costner’s feud with Taylor Sheridan almost derailed Yellowstone Season 5

The secret feud between Kevin Costner and Taylor Sheridan, which resulted in Costner leaving “Yellowstone” early, apparently began due to a disagreement about the number of filming days the actor required for Season 5 Part 2. Costner wished to commence work on his movie “Horizon: An American Saga,” but couldn’t reach an accord regarding the schedule, leading him to abandon the project and announce his departure via Instagram. He later expressed that the filming for the show was often delayed, stating to GQ Magazine, “We seldom started when we said we would and we didn’t finish when we said we would.”

Later accounts suggested that Costner exhibited a pushy demeanor, allegedly irritating Sheridan by insisting on having creative control over his character. Additionally, there were rumors that he would only work for a week, which Costner’s representatives refuted. Despite this, Sheridan eliminated John’s character through an assassination in the governor’s mansion bathroom. However, throughout the season, his children paid tribute to their father’s legacy. Unfortunately, John’s reputation was damaged posthumously when Beth revealed that John had deceived Summer (Piper Perabo), his last lover, by telling her she needed to stay on the ranch to serve out her sentence, which was untrue.

Later on, Costner confessed that he didn’t witness the disgraceful downfall of his character. Ultimately, this split proved detrimental to all parties involved. Fans were disappointed by John’s unsatisfying conclusion and how it tainted his previous deeds and the series as a whole. The most annoying aspect of this predicament might be that the initial part of “Horizon” turned into a major flop at the box office, which has left the prospective sequels uncertain.

Taylor Sheridan sued Cole Hauser over his coffee brand

In 2023, Cole Hauser, an actor from the show “Yellowstone”, joined Kevin Costner in having disagreements with co-creator Taylor Sheridan. Unlike Costner’s feud over creative differences, Hauser found himself embroiled in a legal battle due to his coffee brand, Free Rein. The controversy arose when Sheridan, who also runs a lifestyle brand called Bosque Ranch, felt that the logo for Hauser’s coffee was too similar to his own. This was problematic because both Bosque Ranch and Free Rein had their own lines of coffee, and the logos, featuring intertwined letters resembling cattle brands, were seen as too similar by Sheridan. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the lawsuit claimed trademark infringement, unfair competition, and false advertising, stating that the logo for Free Rein was “deceptively similar” to the one used by Bosque Ranch for identical goods.

Initially, it seemed that the dispute would persist, but Sheridan’s legal team successfully requested for the case to be dropped on December 20, 2024. Currently, Bosque Ranch’s coffee, previously distributed via Community Coffee, is no longer available. Conversely, Free Rein has grown and broadened its collaborations, now offering coffee pods and merchandise. Interestingly, it appears that Hauser and Sheridan have no lasting animosity, as the latter is planning a spin-off series focusing on Rip and Beth, in which Hauser will star, produced and created by Sheridan.

Luke Grimes reportedly quit True Blood over a gay storyline

Prior to his role on “Yellowstone,” Luke Grimes faced a significant controversy. Following his portrayal of James Kent in the sixth season of “True Blood,” the actor unexpectedly departed from the show, with his character’s role being reassigned to Nathan Parsons for Season 7. At that time, HBO stated that Grimes left due to disagreement with the creative direction of James’ character without providing further details. This led fans to ponder intensely when James eventually abandoned Jessica Hamby (played by Deborah Ann Woll) for a romantic involvement with Lafayette Reynolds (portrayed by Nelsan Ellis).

According to individuals close to “True Blood,” it was revealed that actor Stephen Moyer (Grimes) disliked the writers’ decision to make James, a character on the show, bisexual. He didn’t mind if the relationship between the characters remained one-sided, but objected to James reciprocating Lafayette’s feelings and reportedly refused to perform in same-sex kissing or love scenes. It was suggested that he asked the writers to alter the script according to his wishes, but his request was turned down.

Although some “True Blood” fans might find it unexpected, Grimes’ representative at the time claimed that his departure from the show was due to scheduling conflicts rather than factual. However, one of his co-stars, Nelsan Ellis, openly shared his views on the matter with Vulture. Ellis suggested that Grimes had difficulties with James’ character, particularly their romantic storyline with Lafayette. Ellis expressed his feelings bluntly, stating, “I’m past him. If you leave your job because you don’t want to play a gay role, then you make a strong statement when you say, ‘I won’t play this part because it’s gay.’

Kelsey Asbille’s Cherokee heritage has been questioned

Kelsey Asbille, who stars as Monica Long Dutton in “Yellowstone,” shared with reporters that she has Cherokee ancestry during a series interview. She expressed gratitude for the opportunity to delve into Native American culture and revealed that as she gets older, understanding her mixed-race heritage becomes increasingly important. In touch with her roots, connecting with the Cherokee side of her lineage has been an extraordinary experience for her. Previously, an article in The New York Times, promoting the 2017 film “Wind River,” mentioned that Asbille does not hail from a Native community but possesses Eastern Band Cherokee heritage. Nevertheless, some Indigenous actors and advocates have raised doubts about Asbille’s claims of being part-Cherokee.

I, a passionate admirer of Adam Beach’s work, was taken aback by his recent Instagram post, which he later deleted, criticizing Kathryn Asbille and the show “Yellowstone.” He accused the show of suggesting that there are no capable Native American actresses for lead roles, implying that Asbille is Cherokee only because her distant ancestors might have been.

Interestingly, an article on Pechanga.net reported that actor and producer Sonny Skyhawk reached out to the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians to confirm Asbille’s enrollment. Skyhawk himself emphasized the importance of tribal nations in verifying Native identity, stating, “The only entity with the legal authority to prove and declare one’s Native identity is the tribal nation anyone claims.”

Remarkably, the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians informed Pechanga.net that Asbille has never been an enrolled member of their tribe. No records were found to support her claim of descent from the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.

Forrie J. Smith doesn’t believe in vaccines and hates masks

In the bustling town of Yellowstone, you’ll find rugged individuals who are not shy about expressing their deep feelings about life on horseback. Among them is Forrie J. Smith, a stuntman, rodeo rider, and actor, who embodies this spirit perfectly – yet he stands firm against those who wear masks, and has declined to attend award ceremonies that enforce vaccine mandates. He first caught the spotlight in 2022 when he shared an Instagram video explaining his decision not to attend that year’s Screen Actors Guild Awards. “I want to make it clear that I mean no disrespect to anyone,” he stated (as reported by Variety). “I’m unvaccinated, and vaccination is required for attendance. I am unvaccinated, and I refuse to get vaccinated.” He added, “I’ve never had a flu shot. I never will. I believe that vaccines compromise your immune system… It’s just my personal beliefs. I don’t believe in vaccinations.

In a 2024 Instagram post, I confessed that I feel uneasy around individuals sporting masks. A recent incident in Houston, Texas left me off-board a plane after expressing discomfort over sitting next to someone masked. The airline claimed it was due to my intoxication, but let’s be real, I’d been drinking because of the three-hour wait – not because I was drunk. They kicked me off for being under the influence, when in truth it was their insistence on this mask policy that had me feeling tipsy. Since then, I’ve chosen to focus my words on championing cowboy values rather than addressing this issue directly.

Taylor Sheridan’s forgotten Donald Trump rant

Taylor Sheridan, the co-creator of “Yellowstone”, has never been one to mince words or avoid speaking his mind openly. His frankness has led him into trouble on more than one occasion due to his blunt tongue. During an interview in 2017, while promoting the movie “Wind River”, he expressed his feelings about then-president Donald Trump quite candidly. In a conversation with DP/30, he exclaimed, “Why don’t we just impeach that person immediately? I mean, what are we doing here? I just don’t understand.” He further added, “It’s just so embarrassing.

In 2022, when asked about the quote years after its initial mention, Sheridan admitted that he couldn’t recall making the statement. Speaking to The Atlantic, he explained, “I was furious about everything. Long press conferences without food or water can cause such a state.” When reporter Sridhar Pappu brought up the quotes, Paramount Network publicists weren’t pleased with his line of questioning and even hinted at canceling his upcoming visit to the set of “Yellowstone” if his inquiries about Sheridan’s past Trump comments were included in the story. However, this seemed to be an empty threat as Pappu chose to include them regardless, and his set visit was not canceled.

It’s understandable that Paramount might have been eager to exclude Trump-related questions from the interview, given the widespread popularity of Taylor Sheridan’s shows among Republican viewers. In fact, The New York Times referred to “Yellowstone” as the most popular show in red states, and Le Monde labeled Sheridan as the favorite showrunner of Trump’s America as recently as January 2025.

Native actors reacted angrily to Sheridan’s claim that he helped change Reservation laws

In 2023, Taylor Sheridan sparked controversy among Indigenous Americans when he stated that his film “Wind River” had significantly improved the lives of Native women. However, it’s important to clarify that while the movie brought attention to the issue, the actual change in law he referred to was already established prior to 2023. The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), which allows for prosecution of U.S. citizens for committing rape on an Indian reservation and establishes a database for missing and murdered Indigenous women, was initially passed in 1994 and had been renewed several times before being reauthorized by then-president Joe Biden in 2022.

Multiple advocacy groups and individuals have expressed disagreement with Sheridan’s statement linking “Wind River” to the law in question. IllumiNative, a social justice organization led by Native women, stated on Instagram that Sheridan’s claim is not just incorrect, but also damaging. This assertion is another instance of trying to erase Native people from our own narratives and overlooks the significant efforts made by Native women, survivors, advocates, tribal leaders, and others in Indian Country over many decades for the passage of this law.

In another context, Jana Schmieding (a recognized Lakota actor and writer, known for shows such as “Reservation Dogs,” “The Great North,” and “Spirit Rangers”) spoke to Yahoo’s In The Know. She expressed little shock at Sheridan claiming credit for the advancements made in safeguarding Native women. Schmieding stated, “It’s neither surprising nor acceptable, and that’s typical colonizer conduct. It’s also a reflection of ‘Hollywood power dynamics,’ typically held by white men.

The main cast dropped out of PaleyFest with no explanation, leaving fans furious

The annual PaleyFest, known as television’s grand event, is typically a joyous occasion for TV enthusiasts. It offers an exciting opportunity to hear from show creators about how their shows are produced and what lies ahead, while also allowing actors to discuss their characters. However, when “Yellowstone” was scheduled to appear at the festival in 2023 (which took place between March 31 and April 4), fans were anticipating a stellar experience but ended up feeling somewhat let down. The initial lineup included heavyweights like Taylor Sheridan, executive producer David Glasser, Kevin Costner, Kelly Reilly, Cole Hauser, Luke Grimes, Kelsey Asbille, Wes Bentley, Gil Birmingham, and Jacki Weaver. Instead, the attendees were treated to Mo Brings Plenty, Wendy Moniz (who defended Costner’s behavior), Josh Lucas, and Dawn Olivieri. While these actors are certainly talented, they represent secondary characters rather than the series’ leading figures.

The development president of Paramount Network, Keith Cox, attended and attempted to engage the audience with hints regarding Costner’s uncertain status, which garnered some approval, but overall, the panel turned out disappointing. Outbursts of “Where are they?” echoed through the crowd, leaving attendees dissatisfied. One fan voiced their displeasure on Deadline’s message board, stating, “Many fans spent a significant amount of money to see the ‘Yellowstone’ cast. Some even traveled by plane or drove hours just to reach Hollywood and meet their favorite ‘Yellowstone’ actors.” Only Kelly Reilly issued a statement explaining her absence. She posted on Instagram that she was filming in the UK at the time and informed the organizers in January that she wouldn’t be able to attend. “I was sorry to learn that my name remained on the list of attendees, as it is unfair to our fans,” she added.

Q’orianka Kilcher was wrongfully accused of disability fraud

Q’orianka Kilcher left a lasting impact in the series “Yellowstone,” despite her limited screen time. She portrayed Angela Blue Thunder, Thomas Rainwater’s resilient business advisor, eight times. However, Kilcher faced controversy when she was accused of committing disability fraud. This stemmed from her filing a workers’ compensation claim following an injury to her right shoulder and neck on the set of “Dora and the Lost City of Gold.” The California Department of Insurance alleged that Kilcher violated state law by continuing to receive disability benefits while working in “Yellowstone.

According to the California Department of Insurance (CDI), Kathleen Kilcher allegedly committed two counts of workers’ compensation insurance fraud. The CDI stated that although Kilcher told a doctor she couldn’t work, she continued to receive payment by pretending to work. Over the period of around two years, from October 14, 2019, to September 9, 2021, Kilcher accumulated $96,838 in benefits. The department also mentioned that Kilcher halted her treatment for her injury and stopped communicating with the insurance company and doctor related to the case. Kilcher denied the charges, and the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office subsequently dismissed all accusations against her in February 2023.

Up until now, Kilcher has consistently claimed her innocence, and today’s developments clear her name, as stated by her representative. Despite experiencing a severe and life-changing injury during the filming of ‘Dora and the Lost City of Gold,’ Kilcher remains optimistic about her upcoming projects and plans to utilize this opportunity to bring attention to the experiences of other workers who have suffered workplace injuries. On the same day, Kilcher publicly declared her intention to champion transparency in workers’ rights.

Kevin Costner’s assistant reportedly bashed Tulsa King in a fiery Instagram post

In summary, the latest dispute on our list was relatively minor compared to previous ones, but during the tension between Taylor Sheridan and Kevin Costner, it was claimed by Puck that the situation escalated significantly. This escalation reportedly involved Costner’s personal assistant and unfolded on Instagram. The incident allegedly occurred when Glenn Kleczkowski, who has worked with Costner for a long time and was a production associate on “Yellowstone,” is said to have ridiculed Sheridan’s crime drama “Tulsa King.” This series stars Sylvester Stallone as a Mafia boss who begins building a new criminal organization in Oklahoma after his release from prison.

An American Saga” project) reportedly posted something like this: “Keep with westerns, mate. You have no idea about this world. Stay in your place, city slicker. I’m genuinely ashamed of you as a writer and creator.” This post, which has been removed from his Instagram, demonstrates the amount of controversy the show’s actors faced over the years, much of it due to their own actions.

It’s worth noting that the show “Tulsa King” has stirred up debate as well, due to some troubling accusations leveled against Sylvester Stallone by certain background actors.

2025-05-01 17:32