The Yellowstone universe is set to expand further with the upcoming spinoff series titled Y: Marshals, which will feature Luke Grimes reprising his role as Kayce Dutton. Scheduled for release in 2026, the show will shift focus from family drama to action-packed storytelling.
Following the conclusion of the original series Yellowstone on December 15, 2024, after a six-year run, CBS has confirmed that Grimes will lead this new venture. The spinoff will see Kayce Dutton leaving behind his ranching days to join an elite unit of U.S. Marshals, utilizing his Navy SEAL training to uphold justice in Montana.
According to CBS Entertainment president Amy Reisenbach, all of the network's shows are designed to work on both streaming and linear platforms. This means that while Y: Marshals will air on CBS, it is also expected to be available for streaming after its initial broadcast. "I think all of our shows right now are both streaming and linear," Reisenbach told Variety. She acknowledged that CBS is still in the early stages of collaboration with series creator Taylor Sheridan on distribution plans.
As for the storyline, Y: Marshals will take place after the events of Yellowstone and will focus on Kayce's transition into law enforcement. The official synopsis states: "With the Yellowstone Ranch behind him, Dutton joins an elite unit of U.S. Marshals, combining his skills as a cowboy and Navy SEAL to bring range justice to Montana, where he and his teammates must balance family, duty and the high psychological cost that comes with serving as the last line of defense in the region’s war on violence." This suggests a shift from the family-centric narratives of previous installments.
Grimes will not only star in the series but also serve as an executive producer alongside Sheridan and a team that includes David C. Glasser, John Linson, Art Linson, Ron Burkle, David Hutkin, and Bob Yari. The show is being produced by MTV Entertainment Studios, with Spencer Hudnut as the writer, executive producer, and showrunner.
Fans of the Yellowstone franchise can expect Y: Marshals to premiere in spring 2026, airing on Sunday nights as part of CBS's fall schedule for the 2025-2026 broadcast season. This new series adds to the growing universe that includes prequels like 1883 and 1923, which have also attracted significant viewership.
Interestingly, while the original Yellowstone series does not stream on Paramount+, the spinoff will likely follow a similar distribution pattern as other CBS hits, such as Tracker and Watson, which aired on network TV before becoming available on streaming platforms.
In the original series, Kayce Dutton was depicted as the youngest son of ranchers John and Evelyn Dutton, portrayed by Kevin Costner and Gretchen Mol. Viewers last saw him retaining a small portion of the Yellowstone Dutton ranch after selling the majority to the Broken Rock Indian Reservation. This transition sets the stage for his new role as a lawman.
Aside from Y: Marshals, CBS is also developing other series related to the Yellowstone franchise. One of these projects, titled The Madison, stars Michelle Pfeiffer and follows the McIntosh family as they relocate from New York City to Montana. Paramount first announced plans for this and other series in May 2023, although a release date has yet to be confirmed. Another prequel, Beth & Pip, is reportedly in the works, focusing on Beth Dutton and Rip Wheeler, characters from the original series.
As the Yellowstone franchise continues to evolve, Y: Marshals promises to deliver a fresh perspective on the beloved characters while exploring new themes of duty, justice, and the personal costs of law enforcement in the rugged backdrop of Montana. With its anticipated release in 2026, fans are eager to see how Kayce Dutton’s story unfolds in this exciting new chapter of the Yellowstone saga.
