The Dutton family has lost another loved one. Season 5 episode 12 of Yellowstone featured the death of one major character: Colby Mayfield (played by actor Denim Richards). It seems that the fifth and final season of the hit Paramount western show is killing off fan-favorite characters all the time. So, why was Colby’s death necessary?
News47.us is breaking down the decision behind Colby’s heartbreaking on-screen death, below.
Aside from Colby, the biggest character of the show was removed due to star Kevin Costner‘s exit: John Dutton. In addition to John, Sarah Atwood (played by actress Dawn Olivieri) also died in season 5.
We can’t tell you what happened to Colby (yet), but we can wish @DenimRichards a very happy birthday! #YellowstoneTV pic.twitter.com/Iyb5eFPsoo
— Yellowstone (@Yellowstone) August 10, 2020
While speaking with Entertainment Weekly in an interview published after episode 12 aired, Denim pointed out that series creator Taylor Sheridan “is really emphasizing the realities of cowboy life” with Colby’s on-screen demise.
“We have this saying that everyone’s going to fall off a horse at some point in their life,” Denim told the publication. “These things do happen, so I do think that there’s that element where I think it is about really wanting to emphasize that this is a reality. It’s kind of poetic because in season 3, Colby gets trampled by a horse multiple times in the river.”
During an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, executive producer Christina Voros doubled down on Denim’s statement about the cowboy lifestyle.
