After Luke Grimes’ Comments, I’m Worried About the Fate of These ‘Yellowstone’ Characters in Kayce’s Spin-off

Yellowstone fans have been rejoicing as of late to hear that Luke Grimes‘ Kayce Dutton will be riding on into the new CBS spin-off series Y: Marshals, which will follow a team of Montana law enforcement officers who fight for modern frontier justice. The show will likely see the return of some familiar faces from Taylor Sheridan‘s greater world as well as new ones, but what’s most exciting about this development is that Kayce finally seems to have found his calling. But recently, Grimes tipped his hat at the possibility that two vital characters may not return for the sequel series.

Luke Grimes Seems To Imply That Monica and Tate May Not Be in ‘Y: Marshals’

In a recent sit-down with Cowboys & Indians, Grimes spoke briefly about Y: Marshals, on top of a few other upcoming projects that he’s teasing for readers. The article reveals that the show will premiere mid-season during the 2025-26 TV season, but that’s not all. When asked if Kayce’s wife, Monica (Kelsey Asbille), and their son, Tate (Brecken Merrill), would return for the new CBS drama, Grimes had some worrisome words. “I’m not really supposed to talk too much about it,” the actor expressed. “I’ll say there’s definitely going to be some familiar faces. I’m not going to be the only character from Yellowstone in the show. There’s going to be some people that you know and love.” While it’s good to hear that Y: Marshals will be about more than just Kayce, expanding to the greater reaches of the Yellowstone Universe, it’s a bit troublesome that Grimes isn’t able to straight up admit whether Kayce’s family will be along for the ride.

It’s not exactly a secret that Yellowstone ends with Kayce, Monica, and Tate living on the last sliver of what one could consider the Yellowstone Dutton Ranch, a parcel of land they cut out for themselves and made a home together. While Kayce had given up his position on the state’s Livestock Commission, aiming to ranch alongside his wife and son, the existence of Y: Marshals implies that he’ll eventually pick up another badge. But this decision will no doubt come at a cost. Perhaps Monica and Tate won’t be a major part of Y: Marshals because Kayce will be traveling across the state? Maybe his decision to get back onto the field is a point of contention with his family, and he’s on the outs with them? Yellowstone gave the Duttons a happy ending, but that doesn’t mean that this new series has to do the same. Still, I want what’s best for Monica and Tate, and time has proven again and again that Kayce being around is exactly that.

‘Y: Marshals’ Will Deal With Kayce Dutton Balancing Between Duty and Family

Things get even more confusing when we note the show’s official logline, which states that “[Kayce] and his teammates must balance family” on top of the other duties and psychological effects of being “the last line of defense in the region’s war on violence.” When factoring that idea in, it seems like the rest of Kayce’s tribe should be with the show. It would be odd for Y: Marshals to explore these issues or topics without Monica and Tate around. Of course, the show may be doing exactly what I previously speculated above, or it could be that Kayce’s family is murdered either prior to or at the start of the new series, prompting Kayce to jump back into the saddle in the first place. Either way, I’m a bit worried that Yellowstone‘s happy ending for this nuclear family is about to get nuked, and all that Kayce and Beth (Kelly Reilly) and their family fought for will be for naught.

Kayce and his family have sacrificed much to protect the Dutton name and legacy. Considering what he’s been forced to do for the Yellowstone Ranch, fans want to see him get his happily ever after. This isn’t to say that Y: Marshals can’t threaten that or shouldn’t include life-changing drama (it absolutely should). But there are plenty of other ways to generate suspense and push Kayce to his limits. But losing more family members — especially after the death of both his father and his second son in Yellowstone‘s final season – would be far too big a blow. Maybe Y: Marshals wants to go the Longmire or Walker route and give Kayce a personal motivation for getting back in the field, not unlike the situation with his father’s death the last time we saw him. Still, I’m afraid it would be too much for the Dutton patriarch to handle, at least not without losing himself to the grief.

Again, this is all speculation at this point. It’s clear that Y: Marshals is still in the early stages of development, and there is a lot that could change before the 2025-26 mid-season. Grimes’ comments may be a bit troubling to anyone looking for direct answers about Kayce and his family, but I’m sure that the creative minds involved have a plan that will prove equal parts satisfying and dramatic. Here’s hoping that CBS can carry on the neo-Western tradition and deliver.