Yellowstone Director Says Kevin Costner's Character Is 'Still Central' to the Final Episodes Despite Actor's Exit

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

As the premiere of the highly-anticipated final episodes of Yellowstone approaches, Christina Voros, who directed four of the six remaining episodes, is shedding new light on how Kevin Costner's character will remain part of the family's story despite the actor's exit from the show.

"His presence is integral," Voros told The Hollywood Reporter of how Costner's character influences the final episodes.

While she didn't reveal much about what that means — "I think to say any more than that would potentially compromise all the work that went into redacting the scripts," she said — Voros reaffirmed that "he is the patriarch and his presence is an essential component to the story."

"John Dutton is still central."

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

Costner told PEOPLE he was "disappointed" by the narrative that emerged about his and Sheridan's creative differences regarding the show, as he said that the real reason behind his exit was because "the scripts weren't there."

"There was a moment where that show for me stopped for 14 months... That's the fact. I could have done a lot of things in that time, but I wasn't aware that that [hold-up] was going to happen," he said.

"I was disappointed that nobody on their side... ever stepped up to defend what it was I actually did for them. There came a moment where I thought, 'Wow, when is somebody going to say something about what I have done versus what I haven't done?'"

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

"I just realized that I'm not going to be able to continue Season 5b or into 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 won't be returning."

Despite all the back and forth, the cast is happy with how the series is coming to an end. Luke Grimes, who plays Kayce Dutton, told Entertainment Weekly last month that he "couldn't be happier" about the finale.

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

His costar Kelly Reilly, who plays his sister Beth Dutton, echoed his praise as she said the final episode's "scripts were so good."

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The final episodes of Yellowstone season 5 premiere Sunday, Nov. 10 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on Paramount Network.