Speaking to Entertainment Tonight, Grimes said the decision ultimately came down to perception — and making sure audiences understood the show’s identity without leaning too hard on the branding.
“I think they just wanted to make sure people knew it was a Yellowstone world, Taylor Sheridan world kind of a show. It’s clear once you see Kayce that it is that, so I think we can drop the Y now.”
According to reports, CBS confirmed on January 7 that Y: Marshals was always intended as a working title and was never locked in. A network representative added that the “Y” was “always considered silent,” and while it remains part of the logo design, it no longer appears in the official title. In short: the name change was planned all along.
Marshals follows Kayce Dutton as he leaves the Dutton Ranch behind and takes on a new role as a U.S. Marshal in Montana. While the character’s law enforcement background was always part of his Yellowstone arc, the new series positions Kayce at a crossroads, trying to carve out a future separate from his family’s legacy.
Early speculation suggested the title change might be tied to behind-the-scenes business politics — especially since Yellowstone creator Taylor Sheridan has signed a new deal with CBS while Paramount still controls the Yellowstone brand. CBS denied any such connection, insisting the decision had nothing to do with network tensions.
