Luke Grimes’ ‘Yellowstone’ Spin-Off Is Controversially Removing a Series Trademark

The Yellowstone universe is expanding yet again — but don’t expect to see the sprawling landscapes of Montana in its next chapter. According to Luke Grimes, who reprises his role as Kayce Dutton in the upcoming CBS procedural Y: Marshals, the show won’t be returning to one of the franchise’s most defining elements: its original location. In a recent interview with Esquire while promoting his new film Eddington, Grimes revealed that the Kayce-led spin-off will not be filmed in Montana and will feel “like a different world.” Though he teased familiar faces and ties to Yellowstone, the tone and visual feel of Y: Marshals are being deliberately reimagined.

“It’ll feel like a different world, but Kayce will be ready for it.”

The change signals more than just a shift in scenery — it’s a creative and symbolic departure from the themes and traditions Yellowstone built over five seasons. With the Dutton saga having ended in 2024, Y: Marshals is poised to break new ground both in format and scope. Moving away from Montana helps differentiate it from the mainline series, especially since the spin-off is expected to lean heavily into procedural storytelling in the mold of shows like Justified or Longmire.

While the Yellowstone finale capped off the drama surrounding the family ranch, Y: Marshals repositions Kayce as a man on a new kind of frontier — one defined by law enforcement, conflict, and perhaps redemption. Though the show’s setting may still technically be in Montana, the choice to film elsewhere makes a clear statement: Y: Marshals wants to stand on its own.

Why Is ‘Y: Marshals’ Leaving Montana?

Franchise fatigue is real, and with Paramount+ already plotting sequels involving Beth and Rip, not to mention the popularity of 1883, 1923, and Lawmen: Bass Reeves, each new entry needs a fresh perspective to justify its existence. Y: Marshals seems to understand that. The decision to move the production away from Montana may also reflect budget realities. Filming in tax-incentivized regions — like New Mexico, Utah, or Georgia — is common for procedural series. Still, some longtime Yellowstone fans may miss the scenic, sweeping vistas that came to define Taylor Sheridan’s flagship show.

While the absence of the Dutton Ranch’s picturesque mountain valley is a loss, it could also be Y: Marshals’ greatest asset. The shift gives the series room to explore different visual languages and thematic territory while avoiding the trap of becoming a carbon copy of Yellowstone. And most importantly, it shows that Luke Grimes didn’t sign on just for a paycheck — he waited until the character’s next arc had real storytelling weight.