Yellowstone’s director Christina Voros has stepped up to address the furor over recent deaths that have rocked viewers of the hit series.
In a shocking twist on last Sunday’s episode (December 1), the show bid farewell to the beloved character Colby Mayfield (played by Denim Richards) after a distressing horse-related incident.
Just moments after a heartfelt declaration of love to his on-screen partner Teeter (Jen Landon), Colby’s time was cut short, much to the dismay of Teeter and fans alike who were left reeling from the abrupt narrative turn.
Following the airing, fans flocked online, directing a storm of incensed messages towards showrunner Taylor Sheridan, calling out the “unnecessary” demise of the character.
Nevertheless, director Voros insists the scene accurately depicted the inherent perils associated with cowboy life, as detailed in her conversation with The Reporter, reports .
Yellowstone director defends latest ‘gut-wrenching’ death after intense backlash (Image: PARAMOUNT)
Emphasising the realism behind such tragic occurrences, Voros stated: “For anyone who really understands the lifestyle of cowboys and working with animals and the risks of the job – and Rip (Cole Hauser) says it about himself – it’s a dangerous job, and this kind of thing happens and it happens in a split-second.
“This death comes as a shock because it’s so simple, and it’s so grounded in the world in which all these characters work that it’s profoundly tragic… and the timing of it is just gut-wrenching.”
Colby’s surprising departure follows closely on the heels of other losses within the series, compounding the impact on its audience.
The gripping season five return of Yellowstone delivered a heart-stopping shock as patriarch John Dutton (Kevin Costner) was targeted by assassins, sending shockwaves through his children Beth (Kelly Reilly), Kayce (Luke Grimes) and Jamie (Wes Bentley).
Fans were left devastated by the latest twist (Image: PARAMOUNT)
In another sensational turn of events, episode 11 concluded with Sarah Atwood (Dawn Olivieri), Jamie’s new partner in crime, being eliminated in a stunning twist that left audiences reeling.
Fans, already on the edge of their seats, have been forewarned to brace themselves for possible further twists as more bombshells could drop in the last two episodes.
A recent theory shared by a viewer highlighted a deep conversation between Kayce and his son Tate (Brecken Merrill) that might ominously predict yet another vital character’s demise.
Could another character be axed before the end of the series? (Image: PARAMOUNT)
“Kayce and Tate talking about death has me thinking that was foreshadowing to Kayce’s death,” one viewer conjectured on .
Echoing this sentiment, another commented: “That’s what I’m starting to think too. They’re off-ing characters like there is no tomorrow.”
Despite the tumult caused by these developments, a captivated audience numbering in the millions is anticipated to be glued to their screens for the climactic episodes.
Yellowstone season 5, part 2 continues Sundays on Paramount and the following Monday on Paramount+.