A Casting What-If That Could Have Changed TV History

Yellowstone is now cemented as one of television’s most iconic dramas. Kevin Costner defined John Dutton across five-and-a-half seasons, embodying the gruff patriarch fighting to protect his family’s Montana ranch. But according to creator Taylor Sheridan, things almost went in a very different direction.

In a 2023 interview, Sheridan revealed that Robert Redford was his first choice to play John Dutton. The legendary actor, known for Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, came close to signing on, and his casting might have reshaped the entire series.

Sheridan’s Original Vision

When Sheridan was still trying to get Yellowstone off the ground, the project was in development at HBO. Executives wanted a big-name star to anchor the show, and they pushed Sheridan to find someone with Redford’s stature. Taking them literally, Sheridan pitched the role to Robert Redford himself.

Redford agreed in principle, and for a brief moment it seemed that HBO had its star. But the deal fell apart, and Sheridan eventually brought the project to Paramount. That’s where Kevin Costner came into the picture, forever tying his name to John Dutton.

Why Robert Redford Could Have Worked

Robert Redford had decades of Western credibility. His performance in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid remains one of the genre’s all-time classics, and his quiet intensity could have given John Dutton a very different edge.

At the time, Redford was nearly two decades older than Costner. This age gap would have changed the tone of the series, potentially making Dutton a more reflective, world-weary figure. While fans now struggle to imagine anyone but Costner in the role, it’s clear Redford would have brought gravitas and a different kind of authority to the patriarch.

Kevin Costner’s Defining Performance

Ultimately, it was Kevin Costner who shaped the John Dutton that fans came to know. His presence drew audiences in, and his star power helped Yellowstone explode into a cultural phenomenon. Costner’s performance also defined Dutton as a modern TV antihero, joining the ranks of characters like Tony Soprano and Walter White.

However, the role was not without controversy. Dutton’s hard-edged politics and ruthless choices divided audiences. And behind the scenes, Costner’s eventual exit caused chaos. The series finale had to arrive earlier than planned, leaving fans with an ending that felt rushed compared to Sheridan’s original vision.

Yellowstone’s Legacy of Controversy

Even without the casting what-if, John Dutton is one of the most polarizing television figures of the century. Some viewers admired his fight to protect his family’s land. Others criticized the character for embodying outdated and harsh worldviews.

The controversy deepened once Costner left during the final stretch of Season 5. The rushed conclusion added fuel to debates about whether Dutton’s story ended the way Sheridan intended—or whether fans were denied the ending they deserved.

Yellowstone at HBO: The Road Not Taken

Sheridan’s revelation also highlights how close Yellowstone came to being a very different show. HBO wanted a “Robert Redford–like” star, and Sheridan delivered by reaching out to the man himself. But with HBO ultimately passing on the project, the series found new life at Paramount. That decision changed Sheridan’s career, launching him into a position as one of TV’s most prolific creators.

A Fascinating Alternate Timeline

It’s impossible to know how Yellowstone would have played out with Robert Redford in the lead. Would fans have embraced a softer, older John Dutton? Would HBO’s version of the series have been grittier or shorter-lived? What is certain is that Kevin Costner’s casting created lightning in a bottle, making Yellowstone a cultural landmark.

Still, imagining Robert Redford as John Dutton offers a glimpse into what could have been—a reminder of how one casting decision can change the course of television history.