Luke Grimes (Kayce Dutton), recently named a brand ambassador for High West, shared with PEOPLE his enthusiasm for the Y: Marshals spinoff, stating, “The pitch for Kayce’s new series completely captivated me.” He expressed confidence that the compelling storyline will equally enthrall audiences, promising to draw them into this fresh chapter of the Yellowstone universe.
Luke Grimes was not prepared to reenter the Yellowstone universe without a compelling purpose. The 41-year-old actor, deeply connected to his role as Kayce Dutton, insisted on a meaningful reason to revive the cherished character after the acclaimed Taylor Sheridan series concluded its run in the fall of 2024, refusing to commit to a project merely because parting with Yellowstone was an emotionally challenging experience, as he shared with PEOPLE.
In May 2025, CBS unveiled plans for Y: Marshals, a spinoff series centered on Kayce Dutton, with Grimes reprising his iconic role. However, he revealed that his decision to join hinged on the arrival of a captivating and authentic storyline—one he believed would truly “rope the audience in”—ensuring that his return to the Yellowstone world would resonate deeply with fans.
Luke Grimes Reflects on Yellowstone’s End and Y: Marshals’ Beginnings
Luke Grimes was convinced that the conclusion of Yellowstone marked the definitive end for his character, Kayce Dutton, and he had no expectations of a spinoff series. He believed his time in the Yellowstone universe was over, ready to move on from the role that defined much of his career.
“On the last day of shooting, I thought it was my last day as Kayce. It was over to me,” Grimes shared, reflecting on the emotional weight of wrapping Yellowstone’s fifth and final season, which aired in December 2024. The moment signified a profound closure to a significant chapter of his professional life.
“It was seven years of playing a person that I’ll never see again, except for having his hat and jacket in my closet. It wasn’t until probably three or four months after that that everything started aligning,” he explained, noting that the idea for Y: Marshals emerged unexpectedly, rekindling his connection to Kayce months later.
Closing the Yellowstone chapter was “a lot bigger of a life moment than I thought it would be,” Grimes admitted. “To try to put that show away, it was hard. It was really hard, and I know this is going to sound weird, but it was sort of emotional. It was like losing a family in a way,” he added, underscoring the deep bonds formed with the cast and crew.
Despite the emotional farewell, Grimes was at peace with the possibility that it was “the end of the road, which would’ve been fine were it the case,” particularly since Kayce achieved his long-sought “dream life” by the series’ end. This resolution made the prospect of a spinoff like Y: Marshals both unexpected and exciting, as it promised a fresh narrative for a character who had seemingly found his peace.
Y: Marshals Ushers Kayce Dutton into a Bold New World
Y: Marshals will introduce a vibrant, expansive new world for Kayce Dutton, the youngest member of the Dutton family, crafted in a way that feels authentic and seamless to his journey. This fresh narrative promises to resonate with fans while honoring the character’s evolution in a meaningful way.
When the concept of a spinoff was first proposed, Luke Grimes was skeptical, wondering, “Where do you go from there?” The challenge of extending Kayce’s story after such a definitive conclusion in Yellowstone required a truly compelling direction to justify his return.
In the Yellowstone finale, Kayce finds his true self and inner peace after selling the Dutton family land to Chief Thomas Rainwater (Gil Birmingham), portrayed by Cam McLeod/Paramount Network/Courtesy Everett Collection. However, when a “really good idea” for a continuation emerged, Grimes was fully committed, eager to explore this new chapter for his character.
“We definitely wanted to ensure the story was substantial, engaging, and authentic,” said Grimes, who has recently partnered with High West as the whiskey brand’s newest ambassador for its Protect the West initiative. “If it was just about Kayce being happy and us watching him live contently, that wouldn’t be compelling. But the concept pitched to me is incredibly strong and captivating—it completely drew me in, and I’m confident it will captivate the audience too.”
Luke Grimes on Transitioning to Y: Marshals and Protecting the West
Stepping back into the role of Kayce Dutton for Y: Marshals, but in an entirely new context, presents a unique challenge for Luke Grimes. After nearly eight years of embodying the character, he’s ready to navigate this fresh narrative landscape.
Processing the end of Yellowstone was a “really bizarre transition” for Grimes after close to eight years of immersion in the series. Now, returning to Kayce under a new set of circumstances in Y: Marshals promises to be another significant shift, one he anticipates with curiosity and excitement.
“It will be weird,” Grimes admits, noting the mix of continuity and change in the spinoff. “There’s going to be some familiar faces, but there’s going to be a lot of new faces too, so we’ll see how that all feels,” he adds, reflecting on the blend of old and new dynamics.
When Yellowstone concluded in 2024, the sentiment was universal: “Nobody wanted it to be over,” Grimes recalls. “I don’t think the fans wanted it to be over. A lot of us actors kind of didn’t want it to be over, and the studio and network certainly didn’t want it to be over,” he shares, highlighting the collective reluctance to let go.
Beyond acting, Grimes is channeling the spirit of Yellowstone’s love for the outdoors through his partnership with High West’s “Protect the West” initiative, which supports nationwide charities focused on land preservation and environmental stewardship. “Every adventurer has their spot, that one place in the wild they cherish most. For me, this partnership with High West is about protecting those places before they’re gone,” he said in a statement. “The Protect the West initiative is something I deeply believe in, and I’m honored to lend my voice to the cause.”
Also Read: Luke Grimes’ New Posse: Which Yellowstone Stars Are Riding Into ‘Y: Marshals’?