Luke Grimes says a few “familiar faces” will be joining him for Yellowstone spinoff Y: Marshals.
Luke Grimes will return as Kayce Dutton in the new Y: Marshals series, slated for the upcoming television season.
No concrete details emerged from People’s recent interview with Luke Grimes, but die-hard Yellowstone enthusiasts—as well as the insightful team behind Taste of Country’s Dutton Rules podcast—have spun a web of compelling theories, drawing directly from the original series’ explosive finale.
Below is our ranked rundown of characters who might join Kayce Dutton in Y: Marshals, from most probable to long-shot possibilities, based on narrative ties, fan buzz, and recent casting hints.
Monica and Tate’s Potential Role in Y Marshals
Kayce Dutton’s wife Monica and his son Tate have to be a part of Y: Marshals. In theory, Tate’s absence could be explained away by college if Brecken Merrill isn’t interested, but a suddenly single Kayce Dutton is a non-starter for a lot of fans.
On IMDB, there’s not much listed for her beyond Yellowstone, which means she’s not tied to another franchise. Perhaps the show won’t zoom in on the youngest Dutton child’s personal life like Yellowstone did, and Monica will only be a reoccurring character. More likely she’s seen in every episode.
Likely to Be Seen
There are three solid reasons to expect a Rip and Beth (Cole Hauser and Kelly Reilly) cameo on Y: Marshals: they’re family, they were arguably the most popular characters on Yellowstone, and they’re set to launch their own series, Dutton Ranch, this fall.
That said, it might be wise to keep that card in reserve. Y: Marshals will need time to establish its own identity before it starts to resemble Yellowstone too closely. Other familiar faces can weave in and out of this new show’s storyline effectively without overshadowing it.
For instance, Monica’s grandfather Felix (Rudy Ramos) remains her only living relative on the reservation, and every one of his appearances carried emotional weight.
Chief Thomas Rainwater (Gil Birmingham) also feels like a natural fit — as Kayce and Monica’s neighbor and the leader of the Broken Rock Reservation, he embodies the kind of seasoned presence that grounds a show like this.
And remember, this is still a network television production, catering to a slightly older demographic.
Don’t Be Surprised
The boys from the bunkhouse all went their separate ways at the end of Yellowstone, but that doesn’t mean one or two of them won’t make a return. Among this group, Lloyd (Forrie J. Smith) seems the most likely candidate. He’s a longtime fan favorite who has been doing the Duttons’ dirty work for decades, and it’s easy to picture him keeping that tradition alive.
Smith isn’t a formally trained actor — he’s a stuntman who stumbled into the role of a lifetime. Deeply loyal to Sheridan and everything Yellowstone represented, Smith’s connection to the franchise runs deep. The only reason he wouldn’t appear in Y: Marshals is if he simply wasn’t asked.
Seems Unlikely
Jimmy (Jefferson White) and Teeter (Jen Landon) are now down in Texas, working for Travis (Taylor Sheridan). If the show tries to squeeze them into an early episode, it might be a sign of desperation.
Lynelle Perry (Wendy Moniz) also appears unlikely to join Grimes on Y: Marshals. Since Yellowstone began winding down, she’s stayed busy, taking roles in two popular network procedurals.
The biggest reason her return feels improbable, however, is rooted in Kayce’s character arc. By the end of Yellowstone, he wanted nothing to do with government — and Lynelle, as the head of the state government for much of the series, represents exactly the world he was trying to leave behind.
Characters who definitely won’t appear on Y: Marshals include John Dutton, Colby Mayfield and Jamie Dutton. If you know, you know.
Trailer Y: Marshals
Also Read: Luke Grimes Reveals Surprising Insights on Kevin Costner’s Departure from ‘Yellowstone