The Taylor Sheridan Yellowstone spin-off, titled Y: Marshals, is set to chart a bold new course for the sprawling franchise, with CBS unveiling an extended trailer that hints at serious new threats for Kayce Dutton. This new series, filmed in Montana and featuring Luke Grimes in the central role, takes the former Livestock Agent and Navy SEAL from the confines of the Yellowstone Ranch into the demanding world of the U.S. Marshals, merging Western grit with modern federal law enforcement challenges.
As Y: Marshals begins, viewers will see Kayce Dutton leave behind the family legacy to join an elite federal task force tasked with protecting a region marked by vast landscapes and growing danger. The show’s supporting cast includes Logan Marshall-Green as Pete Calvin, Arielle Kebbel as Belle Skinner, Ash Santos as Andrea Cruz, and Tatanka Means stepping in as Miles Kittle. Together, these characters form a unit that acts as the last defensive line in Montana, contending both with external threats and the internal cost of their work.
The return of Brecken Merrill as Tate Dutton, as well as Gil Birmingham and Mo Brings Plenty reprising their roles as Thomas Rainwater and Mo from the Broken Rock Reservation, further connects the series to Yellowstone’s established world. For Kayce, the greatest test lies not only in facing violent threats but also in navigating difficult relationships with those closest to him—a theme the Yellowstone franchise has often explored with emotional nuance.
Y: Marshals Extends the Dutton Story into New Territory
Arriving after the charged finale of Yellowstone’s fifth season—which sparked passionate debate among fans—Y: Marshals marks a dramatic shift for the franchise. While earlier spin-offs, such as 1883 and 1923, journeyed into the Dutton family’s past to deepen the lore through generational storytelling, this installment is set entirely in the present day. It represents the franchise’s first attempt at moving forward in the timeline after the departure of Kevin Costner and introduces viewers to new dynamics, settings, and dangers for the protagonist.
Fans familiar with the Yellowstone universe will notice how this new spin-off sharpens its focus on contemporary conflicts while still drawing on the grand landscapes and tensions that have made previous entries compelling. With other projects like 1944 and The Madison still in development, Y: Marshals serves as the testing ground for how far Taylor Sheridan’s legacy—and the interest in the modern Dutton saga—can go without the original patriarch’s presence.
A New Creative Leader Behind the Scenes
One of the most notable changes in Y: Marshals is the absence of Taylor Sheridan as primary writer. While Sheridan remains deeply involved as an executive producer and continues to lend his distinct touch to the franchise’s tone and world-building, the creative direction of the new series is helmed by Spencer Hudnut. Hudnut brings experience from action-driven shows such as SEAL Team and The Blacklist: Redemption, stepping in as both showrunner and head writer for this spin-off.
This change has generated a mixture of anticipation and uncertainty among Yellowstone’s loyal viewers. Sheridan’s storytelling has defined every Dutton story to this point, and Y: Marshals represents the franchise’s first look at how the saga unfolds under a different creative vision. The depth and complexity established in previous series will face new tests as Hudnut takes the helm, with outgoing showrunner Sheridan’s influence still lingering but softened.
Premiere Details and the Path Forward
Y: Marshals is set to premiere on CBS on Sunday, March 1, with episodes available for streaming on Paramount+ following broadcast. The spin-off’s arrival signals a pivotal moment for the franchise, as audiences and critics alike gauge whether the new direction for Kayce Dutton and his team can capture the emotional power and sweeping drama that defined earlier Yellowstone chapters.
As the broader world of Taylor Sheridan Yellowstone spin-offs expands, Y: Marshals stands as the first test of whether contemporary stories about the Duttons can resonate as powerfully as their ancestors’ tales. With a fresh creative mind in Spencer Hudnut and an ensemble cast led by Luke Grimes, the stakes are high for both the characters and the franchise’s future development. Whether this bold step forward succeeds rests on how audiences respond to Kayce Dutton’s latest journey beyond the Yellowstone Ranch.
