A New Era for Costner After Leaving Yellowstone

Kevin Costner may be stepping into one of the most high-profile political roles of his career. Months after his dramatic exit from Yellowstone, the Oscar-winning star is now circling the role of former U.S. President Bill Clinton in a new prestige drama series titled United. If the deal closes, the project will mark Costner’s first major scripted TV return since departing the Paramount juggernaut — a move that reshaped modern western television.

United is in the early stages of development, but the series already has big ambitions. Costner is also in talks to produce alongside Leonardo DiCaprio, signalling that the show aims to be a heavyweight global drama rather than a simple political biopic. The series is being developed with the United Nations itself, adding even more scale and credibility.

A Series Rooted in True Global Crisis

Although the producers are keeping plot details under wraps, early reports suggest the drama will center around the 1999 East Timor crisis. During the conflict, violent pro-Indonesia militant groups terrorised civilians after East Timor voted for independence. With more than 1,400 people killed and the region spiralling into chaos, the U.N. and the Clinton administration played pivotal roles in international intervention efforts.

This storyline positions Costner’s Clinton, along with Chukwudi Iwuji’s potential portrayal of U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan, at the heart of a global political thriller. Production is expected to begin in 2026, with filming split between Atlanta and Spain.

Costner’s First Presidential Role

Despite his long resume of historical roles, Costner has never portrayed a U.S. president. He once turned down playing President James Marshall in Air Force One due to scheduling conflicts with The Postman, but United would finally put him in the Oval Office — at least on screen. It’s familiar creative territory for him, though. Costner famously embodied real-life lawmen Eliot Ness, Jim Garrison, and Wyatt Earp with signature gravitas.

His involvement in United arrives at a complex time for his personal film franchise. The actor’s passion project, Horizon, has struggled with box office performance and critical reception. The second installment was even pulled from its theatrical release date, leaving the future of the saga in doubt.

The Post-Yellowstone Chapter Begins

With the future of Horizon uncertain and his Yellowstone era officially behind him, United could become Costner’s next defining television moment. A character-driven political drama, a real-world crisis, and Costner returning to the small screen could combine into one of the most talked-about TV events of 2026.