Kevin Costner’s Reported On-Set Clash With ‘Yellowstone’ Co-Star Wes Bentley Left Kelly Reilly “In Tears,” Sources Claim
It seems that the fierce family feuds on Yellowstone may have bled into real life. According to a new bombshell report from The Hollywood Reporter, actor Kevin Costner allegedly got into a heated confrontation with his on-screen son Wes Bentley during the filming of Yellowstone Season 5 — a clash that nearly turned physical and reportedly left co-star Kelly Reilly in tears.
Tension Boils Over Between Costner and Bentley
The incident reportedly occurred during a tense day of filming, when Costner — who plays patriarch John Dutton — and Bentley, who portrays his ambitious son Jamie Dutton, disagreed over how to approach a key emotional scene.
According to an insider quoted by THR, Bentley insisted on following Taylor Sheridan’s script exactly, while Costner wanted to take a more improvisational approach. “Kevin didn’t like that, and he lunged at him,” the source said.
“No fists were thrown,” they clarified, “but they were in each other’s faces — pushing, shoving, and shouting until they had to be separated.” Another source added that actress Kelly Reilly, who plays Beth Dutton, became “visibly upset” and “was in tears” as crew members stepped in to defuse the situation.
“The Line in the Sand” for Yellowstone
The altercation allegedly marked a major shift behind the scenes. One crew member described the moment as “the line in the sand” that changed the tone on set.
“Everyone loved Wes, and that really made Taylor [Sheridan] upset,” they explained. “From that day on, Kevin and Taylor’s relationship was never the same. It got very awkward.”
Bentley’s team later confirmed that an argument had taken place, though they downplayed the intensity, calling it a “work-related disagreement during an emotional and physically tough scene.” They added that the issue was “discussed and resolved.”
Costner’s Exit and Fallout
Kevin Costner ultimately departed Yellowstone halfway through Season 5, following months of reported behind-the-scenes tension with creator Taylor Sheridan over scheduling conflicts, script changes, and creative control.
In interviews after leaving the series, Costner seemed detached from the show’s final episodes, admitting that he didn’t even know when the new season was airing.
“I’m going to be perfectly honest — I didn’t know it was airing last night,” he told THR. “I’ve been seeing ads with my face all over the place and thinking, ‘Gee, I’m not in that one.’”
Despite the reported turmoil, Costner expressed gratitude to Yellowstone fans and his co-stars: “I gave this thing five seasons. I was really happy to do it. I don’t need drama — the fans have been way too good to me. My obligation now is to make things that still mean something to them.”
What’s Next for the Yellowstone Legacy?
With Costner’s departure, Yellowstone is preparing to wrap up its original run, setting the stage for a new spin-off series under Taylor Sheridan’s expanding Western universe.
But for fans who loved the dynamic between John and Jamie Dutton — a complex father-son relationship built on power, betrayal, and resentment — the real-life conflict between the actors adds an eerie parallel to the show’s onscreen drama.
Meta Description: Kevin Costner reportedly clashed with Wes Bentley on the Yellowstone set in a heated argument that nearly turned physical and left Kelly Reilly in tears, sources reveal.