How much Kevin Costner is paid for Paramount Network's Yellowstone is part of a message to other actors. The Oscar-winning actor is the star of the cabler’s smash hit TV series. Can you imagine anyone else playing John Dutton? Exactly. As you might expect, Costner’s salary reflects how valuable he is to Yellowstone.
As of the series’ first season, Kevin Costner was raking in $500,000 per episode. Yellowstone’s debut run was comprised of nine episodes, which put him making $4.5 million for it. Season 2 had ten episodes, so assuming he made roughly the same amount, that means he brought in at least a cool $5 million. Explaining the justification behind Costner’s salary, then-Paramount Network chief Kevin Kay told THR:
The statement we wanted to make was that we're open for business and we're willing to pay top-tier actors whatever their quotes are. It sends a message and that's what we want to do.
The message has had to be heard loud and clear! Paramount Network was willing to pay top dollar to draw talent, and the results should be appealing to other movie stars ready to join television. The investment has certainly paid off for Yellowstone. One look at the ratings will tell you that. The show is also welcoming more top-tier talent in Season 3, with a CBS star eager to join the show in the future.
Yellowstone's success has not come without some growing pains. Kevin Costner has previously explained why he said “yes” to starring on the modern-day Western. A decision that has come with a significant salary and some adjustments.
Kevin Costner previously opened up about how adjusting to television has gone. It is a process that has included the Yellowstone star not knowing exactly where John Dutton’s story is going. So, John is not just a mystery to viewers. The good news is there will be plenty of time to keep unraveling the multiple layers of his story.
Yellowstone is set to go on for quite a while, according to Paramount Network and TV Land’s President of Development and Production. Whether a spinoff will eventually follow is something that fans will have to wait and see about. The success that the Kevin Costner-led series has brought should theoretically make fans open to one.
This Yellowstone viewer is thrilled that Kevin Costner chose to come to television. While he would be great on many other shows, he has found one of his career-best roles as John Dutton. Costner’s subtle and moving performance has stirred more than a few standout moments on the towering drama.
Yellowstone is returning for a third season, so expect Kevin Costner to keep earning a paycheck. Before its second one even premiered, Paramount Network renewed the series for Season 3. It is set to introduce a lot of new characters and a chance to see more familiar faces.
Filming has been winding down as of late. Kelly Reilly, who plays the daughter of Kevin Costner’s John Dutton, recently wrapped for the season. Time will tell what happens after that highly emotional finale. The stage is set for a third season that is worth more than a million bucks.
A premiere date for Yellowstone Season 3 has not gotten set yet on Paramount Network. While waiting for the Kevin Costner starrer to return, you can check out this fall’s premieres
