Kevin Costner quickly broke his silence on John Dutton’s death during the premiere of Yellowstone season five, part two.

The day after the episode aired, Costner moved on The Michael Smerconish Program on SiriusXM, where he told Smerconish that he had not seen the episode, but he had no intention of doing so. “I’ll be completely honest. I didn’t know it was actually airing last night,” Costner said. “That’s a moment to swear to God. I swear to God. I mean, I’ve seen ads with my face everywhere and I’m like, ‘Gosh, I’m not in that.’ I won’t be there this season.”

Costner continued, “I didn’t see it. I heard it’s suicide, so that doesn’t make me want to rush out and see it.” When Smerconish says John Dutton doesn’t strike him as a man who would commit suicide, Costner says, “Well, they’re pretty smart people. Maybe it’s a diversion. Who knows? They are very good. I’ll find out.” As the episode shows, John Dutton’s death is of course not a suicide, but rather a hit taken away by Sarah (Dawn Olivieri).

Elsewhere in the interview, Costner reiterated what he had previously said about why he wasn’t returning for the second half of season five. “There were contractual things that allowed both of those things to be done,” he said, referring to his film series. HorizonAnd Yellowstone, “but because both things were contractual, you had to make room for the other. There was room, but it was hard for them to stick to their schedule. It seemed like it was just too hard for them to do it. ”

He added, “I didn’t leave. I didn’t stop,” explaining, “There were 300 people waiting for me, I couldn’t help them anymore. I just couldn’t help them. But I didn’t stop the show. .. everyone has to deliver on what they say they are going to do. And it doesn’t matter what business you are in.’

Emily Burack (she/her) is the Senior News Editor for Town & Country, where she covers entertainment, celebrities, the royals and a wide range of other topics. Before joining T&C, she was deputy editor-in-chief at Hey Alma, a Jewish culture site. Follow her @emburack on Twitter and Instagram.