Yellowstone has kept fans hooked with its raw drama and the Dutton family’s fight to hold their Montana ranch. Now, a new spinoff called Y: Marshals, starring Luke Grimes as Kayce Dutton, is set to air on CBS in spring 2026. This show marks a big shift for Taylor Sheridan’s franchise, moving away from its Paramount roots and signaling the end of an era. With a new writer and a fresh format, Y: Marshals could change what fans expect from Yellowstone. Here’s why this spinoff feels like a turning point and which characters need to join Kayce to make it work.
A New Direction for Kayce
Y: Marshals puts Kayce Dutton in a new role as a U.S. Marshal, blending his cowboy roots with his Navy SEAL skills to bring justice to Montana. Unlike Yellowstone’s focus on family feuds and land battles, this spinoff will be a procedural, with cases and action driving the story. After Yellowstone’s finale, where the Dutton ranch was sold to the Broken Rock Tribe, Kayce kept a small piece of land and some cattle. This sets up his fresh start, but the show needs familiar faces to keep its soul.
Spencer Hudnut Takes the Reins
For the first time, Taylor Sheridan won’t write or run a Yellowstone show. Spencer Hudnut, known for CBS’s Unforgettable and SEAL Team, is the writer, executive producer, and showrunner for Y: Marshals. Sheridan’s touch made Yellowstone gritty and personal, but Hudnut’s style might lean more toward structured crime dramas. This shift could make the spinoff feel less like the ranch battles fans love and more like a cop show with a Western twist.
| Creative Role | Yellowstone | Y: Marshals |
|---|---|---|
| Writer | Taylor Sheridan | Spencer Hudnut |
| Showrunner | Taylor Sheridan | Spencer Hudnut |
Monica Dutton: Kayce’s Heart
Monica, Kayce’s wife, is a must for the spinoff. Played by Kelsey Asbille, she keeps Kayce grounded, balancing his rough life with her strength and ties to the Broken Rock Tribe. Her role in the finale, supporting the land’s return to her people, sets up new stories for her and Kayce. Without Monica, Y: Marshals would miss the family drama that makes Yellowstone special.
| Character | Role in Spinoff |
|---|---|
| Monica Dutton | Kayce’s wife, emotional core |
| Key Trait | Ties to Native heritage, family focus |
Tate Dutton: The Family’s Future
Tate, Kayce and Monica’s son, is another key piece. His growth from a scared kid to a young man could drive plots about passing down values in a changing world. Tate’s connection to the ranch and his Native roots would add depth to Kayce’s marshal life. Leaving him out would cut the spinoff’s link to the Dutton legacy.
Rip Wheeler: The Loyal Ally
Rip Wheeler, played by Cole Hauser, brings grit and loyalty that Kayce needs. As the ranch’s enforcer, Rip’s bond with Kayce is like brotherhood. Even as a guest star, Rip could help Kayce face tough foes, keeping the spinoff’s action tied to Yellowstone’s rough edge. Without him, the show might feel too polished.
A Franchise at a Crossroads
Y: Marshals is a bold step, but it risks losing Yellowstone’s heart without its core characters. Monica, Tate, and Rip would anchor Kayce’s story, blending his new marshal role with the family ties fans love. As Sheridan steps back, the franchise faces a new era, and this spinoff will test if it can keep its Western soul on network TV.