Paramount’s hit drama ‘Yellowstone’ is back, resuming its fifth season with a turn towards the political. Kevin Costner’s character, John Dutton, has been patiently waiting on the results of an election, as many American viewers have as well, since the last time the show aired.

A trailer for the new season shows Dutton being sworn in as governor of Montana, further expanding the prominent rancher’s sphere of influence.

Regarding the tension between his ranch and serving the people of the state his character now faces, Costner revealed what a challenge it will be for the sixth-generation rancher.

“I know how hard it’s going to be on him,” Costner said. “His heart is at the ranch, not trying to find middle ground with people. That’s going to be problematic. He has a lane that he operates in that is not as expansive as some would want it to be. And he won’t change.”

The new office will require Dutton to be in two minds perpetually, and Costner showed that he knows where the cornerstone of the franchise’s heart lies. “It’s like being in school versus being in recess. Where would you rather be?” Costner asks. “He thinks most clearly on his horse.”

How do y’all feel about #GovernorDutton?

Can’t wait to share @Yellowstone Season 5 with you. This Sunday on @paramountnet. pic.twitter.com/qVoFjGaEGx

— Kevin Costner & MW (@modernwest) November 9, 2022

Unlike his on-screen counterpart, Costner said that he won’t be rustled into politics any time soon. “No, I don’t think there’s any reason for me to run,” he said, “though I wish the people that did run had a bigger vision and more of a morality about how they see the country evolving. I’m disappointed.”

Though the “Field of Dreams” star has no intentions of running for public office, he has not shied away from the high-profile political endorsement or two. Previously, Costner has publicly backed the 2020 Democratic candidate Pete Buttigieg in his bid for the presidency, and most recently, Republican Liz Cheney while she was seeking reelection to her congressional seat in Wyoming.

He said that he had no regrets over offering his endorsement of candidates who failed to run successful campaigns.

“Just because you lose doesn’t mean you’re done; it doesn’t mean you’re even wrong,” he says. “I was clear that (Cheney) probably wasn’t going to win her election. But I wanted to let her know, as a citizen, how much I appreciated her brave, clear-headed stance.”

Real men put country over party. pic.twitter.com/7FaJpahtll

— Liz Cheney (@Liz_Cheney) August 1, 2022

Costner, himself, knows a little bit about failure. His four-decade-spanning career has seen such heights as the Oscar-winning “Dances with Wolves” and the $175 million disaster that was “Waterworld.” But now, the 67-year-old actor is back on top.

The number-one rated show has been dubbed a ‘red state show‘ though its creator, Taylor Sheridan, resists the moniker insisting that themes in his work are “wildly progressive.” Costner’s vocal support of a Democratic candidate, and Cheney, who has been extremely critical of former president Donald Trump, may run afoul with many ‘Yellowstone’ viewers but Costner doesn’t trouble himself over any change of opinion.

“I didn’t really care how the cookie crumbles, that people that liked me now don’t like me,” he said. “That’s OK.” He went on to add that he has to resist the urge to celebrate the show’s success and adhere to the direction driven by ratings.

“I’m not naïve; I’m aware that it’s a No. 1 show,” he said. “You’re always happy when something’s received well. I’ve had things that I thought were pretty good that weren’t exactly hits. But you cannot be driven by the ratings; you just appreciate that there’s an audience.”

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