Y: Marshals brings Kayce Dutton back to Montana, but this time with a badge instead of a branding iron. The Yellowstone spinoff, now simply called Marshals, follows Luke Grimes as Kayce joins an elite U.S. Marshals unit. Season 2 premiered on CBS on Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026, so fans have a lot to catch up on.
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Show Title | Marshals (originally Y: Marshals) |
| Genre | Western crime drama / law-enforcement procedural |
| Franchise | Yellowstone universe (Taylor Sheridan) |
| Network | CBS |
| Season 1 Premiere | March 1, 2026 |
| Season 1 Episodes | 13 |
| Season 2 Premiere | Oct. 4, 2026 |
| Time Slot | Sundays, 8 PM ET/PT (8/7c) |
| Lead Star | Luke Grimes as Kayce Dutton |
| Showrunner | Spencer Hudnut |
| Filming Location | Park City and Summit County, Utah |
| Setting | Montana |
What Is Y: Marshals About?
Marshals follows Kayce Dutton, the youngest Dutton sibling and last living son of John Dutton, after the Yellowstone series finale. The ex-Navy SEAL joins an elite U.S. Marshals unit and combines his cowboy skills with SEAL training to deliver justice across the violent Montana range.
The official CBS logline frames Kayce and his team as the last line of defense in a region where help is often hours away. That is the hook here. This isn’t just a ranch story anymore; it’s a story about duty, violence, and the mental cost of fighting crime.
Anyone who watched Yellowstone’s final season remembers how Kayce’s story ended. His father was assassinated, and Kayce sold the Dutton ranch to Thomas Rainwater and the Broken Rock tribe for $1.25 an acre. He walked away from the family empire hoping for a quiet life with wife Monica and son Tate.
Marshals picks up after that peace collapses. A house fire and Monica’s death leave Kayce at his lowest point, raising a 17-year-old Tate alone. From my viewing, this is the smartest choice the writers’ room made, because it gives Kayce a real emotional reason to take on such a dangerous job.
The show balances two things well. On one side, it delivers network-style weekly cases. On the other, it keeps family ties, grief, and the psychological toll of law enforcement running underneath every episode, which keeps Yellowstone fans invested beyond the action.
When Does Y: Marshals Start?
Y: Marshals Season 2 started on Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026, on CBS. The new season opened the network’s fall schedule, and new episodes now air weekly on Sundays at 8 PM ET/PT (8/7c).
Premiere night timing can shift on Sundays because CBS often airs 60 Minutes after a live sports lead-in. That’s why some listings showed a slightly later 8:30 PM ET start for opening night. From Oct. 11 onward, the show settles into its regular Sunday slot.
The show anchors a strong Sunday lineup, with Tracker and Watson following later in the evening. That placement says a lot about how much faith CBS has in the series after Season 1.
Y: Marshals Release Date History
| Season | Premiere Date | Episodes | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season 1 | March 1, 2026 | 13 | Midseason debut on Sundays |
| Season 2 | Oct. 4, 2026 | To be confirmed | Fall schedule return |
The original Y: Marshals release date was March 1, 2026, when it debuted as part of CBS’s midseason schedule. That launch gave the show a full spring run before the network renewed it.
Season 2 arriving just seven months later is a quick turnaround for a scripted drama. It shows how fast CBS moved once the ratings came in, and it means viewers didn’t face a long wait between seasons.
Y: Marshals Episodes and How to Watch
Season 1 of Y: Marshals has 13 episodes, all of which aired on CBS in spring 2026. Season 2 episodes air live every Sunday at 8/7c on CBS and through your local affiliate.
If you miss an episode live, it streams the next day on demand through CBS’s official streaming service. All 13 Season 1 episodes are available there on any plan, while watching CBS live through the app needs the Premium plan.
My advice for newcomers is simple. Watch Season 1 in order before jumping into Season 2. The show is procedural, but Kayce and Tate’s arc carries over, and the grief storyline makes much more sense in sequence.
For a quick catch-up, you don’t need all five Yellowstone seasons. Knowing the Yellowstone finale is enough. The key facts are John’s death, the ranch sale, and Kayce’s attempt to start over.
Y: Marshals Cast
The Y: Marshals cast mixes returning Yellowstone stars with new faces built for a team-based procedural. Luke Grimes leads, with Brecken Merrill, Gil Birmingham, and Mo Brings Plenty carrying over the Dutton world.
| Actor | Character | Role in the Story |
|---|---|---|
| Luke Grimes | Kayce Dutton | Ex-Navy SEAL turned U.S. Marshal |
| Brecken Merrill | Tate Dutton | Kayce’s 17-year-old son |
| Gil Birmingham | Thomas Rainwater | Broken Rock chairman |
| Mo Brings Plenty | Mo | Rainwater’s right-hand man |
| Logan Marshall-Green | Pete “Cal” Calvin | Kayce’s Navy SEAL squadmate |
| Arielle Kebbel | Belle Skinner | Former ATF agent |
| Ash Santos | Andrea Cruz | Team member and Pete’s foil |
| Tatanka Means | Miles Kittle | Native American Marshal |
| Brett Cullen | Harry Gifford | Chief U.S. Marshal (recurring) |
| Ellyn Jameson | Dolly Weaver | Rancher’s daughter, key witness |
Luke Grimes as Kayce Dutton
Luke Grimes reprises his role as Kayce Dutton and also serves as an executive producer. He is the only Dutton sibling to survive Yellowstone’s story, which makes him the natural choice to carry the franchise forward.
Grimes plays Kayce as a man trying to hold himself together. After his father’s assassination and Monica’s death, Kayce’s new job becomes both a purpose and an escape. That inner conflict is where Grimes does his best work.
Having watched Kayce grow since Yellowstone’s first season, I find this version the most grounded. He’s quieter, more tired, and more dangerous. The Yellowstone star clearly understands the character’s weight.
Brecken Merrill as Tate Dutton
Brecken Merrill returns as Tate Dutton after five Yellowstone seasons. Tate is now 17 and dealing with the trauma of losing his mother.
His arc is one of the most emotional parts of the show. Tate carries the weight of his grandfather’s legacy and the Dutton empire that no longer exists, while his father works one of the most dangerous jobs in Montana.
The father-son scenes give the series a heartbeat. Without Tate, Marshals would be a standard cop show. With him, it stays a family story at its core.
Gil Birmingham as Thomas Rainwater
Gil Birmingham returns as Thomas Rainwater, the casino mogul and elected high chief of the Confederated Tribes of Broken Rock. He now controls the former Dutton ranch after its acquisition at the end of Yellowstone.
Rainwater has grown into a political statesman, but danger follows him. Storylines involving a bombing and threats to the tribe bring him into direct contact with Kayce’s team.
Birmingham brings the same calm authority he showed across five Yellowstone seasons. His bond with Kayce is now built on mutual respect, and his need for protection ties Broken Rock tightly to the Marshals’ work.
Mo Brings Plenty as Mo
Mo Brings Plenty returns as Mo, Rainwater’s right-hand man, in an expanded role. In Yellowstone, Mo was mostly a driver and quiet protector.
In Marshals, he becomes a liaison between the tribal council, Tribal Police, and federal agents. He offers cultural and spiritual guidance to Kayce, and he also serves as a tactical asset in the field.
This upgrade was overdue. Mo was always a fan favorite, and giving him more screen time adds depth to the show’s portrayal of Broken Rock.
Logan Marshall-Green as Pete “Cal” Calvin
Logan Marshall-Green plays Pete “Cal” Calvin, Kayce’s Navy SEAL squadmate and old friend from his military days. Pete is battle-hardened, pragmatic, and leads the elite unit.
He introduced the November 2025 trailer, where his door-kicking tactics took center stage. The team faces cartels, militias, gangs, and race warriors across Montana, and Pete is often the first one through the door.
Marshall-Green is known for And Just Like That… and Adam Karma. His chemistry with Grimes sells the idea that these two men have been through war together.
Arielle Kebbel as Belle Skinner
Arielle Kebbel plays Belle Skinner, a former ATF agent and tactical expert. Belle comes from a wealthy family but chose dangerous fieldwork instead.
She becomes Kayce’s closest confidante on the team. Belle was front and center in the September 2025 teaser, which gave fans their first look at the show.
Kebbel’s long resume includes The Vampire Diaries, Gilmore Girls, Ballers, Midnight Texas, 9-1-1, and Rescue: HI-Surf. She brings both action credibility and warmth.
Ash Santos as Andrea Cruz
Ash Santos plays Andrea Cruz, a sharp team member who often acts as a contrarian. She challenges Pete’s leadership and serves as his foil.
That friction makes the team feel real. Not everyone agrees with Pete, and Andrea’s push-back keeps Kayce from blindly following orders.
Santos has appeared in Mayor of Kingstown, American Horror Story: Apocalypse, Pulse, and Netflix’s True Story.
Tatanka Means as Miles Kittle
Tatanka Means plays Miles Kittle, a Native American Marshal. His character sits at the crossroads of federal law and tribal sovereignty.
Miles often handles jurisdiction clashes between the Marshals and Broken Rock. He respects Kayce’s skills but sees the cases through a different lens.
Means has appeared in Reservation Dogs, Outer Range, Ransom Canyon, and I Know This Much Is True.
Brett Cullen as Harry Gifford
Brett Cullen has a recurring role as Harry Gifford, the Chief U.S. Marshal and head of the Montana U.S. Marshals. He’s an old-school leader who keeps Kayce’s unit on a short leash.
Gifford wants results against lawlessness, but he doesn’t fully trust the Duttons. That tension gives the show its office politics.
Cullen’s credits include The Blacklist, Falcon Crest, True Detective, Winning Time, and Ransom Canyon.
Ellyn Jameson as Dolly Weaver
Ellyn Jameson plays Dolly Weaver, the daughter of a prominent local rancher. She becomes a key witness in one of the team’s cases.
Dolly offers a civilian view of the Marshals’ impact on Montana communities. She represents the Old West clashing with modern crime.
Her storyline has been tipped as a possible love interest for Kayce, which could be a delicate turn given Monica’s death.
Is Monica in Y: Marshals?
No, Monica is not in Y: Marshals as a series regular. Kelsey Asbille was not announced in the confirmed cast, and the story establishes Monica’s death as the event that pushes Kayce into his new life.
The show explains her absence through a tragic house fire. That loss defines both Kayce and Tate across the first season.
Fans speculated heavily when promos showed a woman’s body under a sheet in a bed, with a doctor or medical worker nearby. Many viewers took this as a hint about Monica’s fate before the show confirmed it.
A flashback appearance from Asbille has never been confirmed. Personally, I’d love a brief flashback, since Kayce and Monica’s relationship was the emotional core of his Yellowstone story.
Y: Marshals Trailer
The Y: Marshals trailer rollout came in stages, from a 10-second teaser to a full-length look at Kayce’s dangerous new life. Each release revealed a bit more of the story.
| Release | Timing | What It Showed |
|---|---|---|
| Teaser | September 2025 | 10 seconds; Kayce and Belle in Marshal gear |
| Promo | October 2025 | Rural action and Montana’s dangers |
| Official trailer | November 2025 | Pete’s introduction, gunfights |
| Extended trailer | January 2026 | Around two minutes; body in bed, Monica theory |
| Season 2 trailer | Ahead of Oct. 4 premiere | Kayce’s next chapter |
The September 2025 teaser was short, but it confirmed the CBS procedural tone. The November 2025 official trailer, running about 90 seconds, leaned into gunfights and campfire scenes.
The extended trailer, released in January 2026 through Entertainment Tonight, ran around two minutes. It fueled the Monica theory and hinted at Kayce’s trauma more clearly.
The Season 2 trailer arrived ahead of the Oct. 4 premiere. It promised bigger cases, more Montana danger, and a deeper look at what years of violence have done to Kayce.
Why Y: Marshals Became Marshals
The show was originally announced as Y: Marshals, with the “Y” tying it to Yellowstone branding. In early January 2026, the title was changed to simply Marshals, and the logo dropped the “Y.”
The Hollywood Reporter covered the name change. It came around the same time Taylor Sheridan was preparing to move his deal to NBCUniversal, which raised questions about the franchise branding.
Paramount stayed silent on the reason. Still, fans and search engines continue to use “Y: Marshals,” which is why both names appear everywhere online.
For viewers, nothing changed except the title card. The story, cast, and connection to Yellowstone remain fully intact.
Production and Executive Producers
Spencer Hudnut serves as showrunner, bringing experience from SEAL Team. That background shows in how authentically the military and tactical scenes are handled.
The executive producers include Taylor Sheridan, Spencer Hudnut, David C. Glasser, Ron Burkle, Bob Yari, Art Linson, John Linson, Michael Friedman, David Hutkin, and Luke Grimes.
Season 1 filmed in fall 2025 in Park City and Summit County, Utah, standing in for Montana. Season 2 production followed in 2026 to meet the fall premiere.
Sheridan’s involvement as EP keeps the series connected to the franchise, even as the writers’ room built a network-friendly format. This blend of serialized cable drama and network procedural is what makes Marshals different from the flagship show.
Y: Marshals Riley Green Role
Country singer Riley Green joined the cast of Y: Marshals as Garrett, a former Navy SEAL and friend from Kayce’s past. Variety reported that he appears across multiple episodes.
It’s Green’s first acting job. Fans spotted his silhouette and guitar in the trailer before the casting was confirmed.
Green and Luke Grimes are friends in real life, and both have country music ties. That off-screen friendship gives their on-screen bond an easy, believable feel.
How Successful Has Marshals Been?
Marshals was a big hit for CBS. Its March 1, 2026 premiere drew 9.52 million viewers and reached 20.4 million multiplatform viewers.
It became the No. 1 new series premiere of the 2025-26 season and CBS’s best scripted premiere since 2018. It also ranked as the No. 1 show of the week.
The show held strong across its first eight episodes, proving it wasn’t just curiosity viewing. CBS renewed it for Season 2 soon after.
In my view, this success shows the Yellowstone universe can thrive on broadcast TV. Kayce’s story reached a wider audience than many cable fans expected.
Other Yellowstone Universe Shows
Marshals is one of several spinoffs expanding Taylor Sheridan’s Yellowstone universe. Each one explores a different era or corner of the Dutton story.
- 1883 – The Dutton family’s journey west to Montana
- 1923 – The next Dutton generation facing hardship and tragedy
- 1944 – A planned prequel set in the World War II era
- The Madison – Michelle Pfeiffer leads a New York family who move to a rural Montana valley
- Dutton Ranch – Kelly Reilly and Cole Hauser return as Beth and Rip, starting over in Texas, with Carter in the mix
- Lawmen: Bass Reeves – A related Sheridan Western about the legendary lawman
Marshals is unique because it’s the only one continuing a flagship character directly after Yellowstone’s ending. If you follow the Duttons, it’s the most direct sequel available.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Luke Grimes Playing Kayce Dutton in Y: Marshals?
Yes. Luke Grimes reprises his role as Kayce Dutton and leads the series. He also serves as an executive producer on Marshals.
Are Other Yellowstone Characters in Marshals?
Yes. Tate Dutton, Thomas Rainwater, and Mo all return from Yellowstone. They connect Kayce’s new career to his family and the Broken Rock reservation.
How Many Episodes Are in Y: Marshals Season 1?
Season 1 has 13 episodes. All of them aired on CBS starting March 1, 2026, and are available on demand.
What Time Does Y: Marshals Air?
New episodes air Sundays at 8 PM ET/PT (8/7c) on CBS. Premiere night timing can shift slightly depending on the Sunday lead-in.
Is Riley Green a Regular in the Cast of Y: Marshals?
Riley Green plays Garrett, a former Navy SEAL friend of Kayce, across multiple episodes. He is a recurring guest rather than a main cast member.
Was Y: Marshals Renewed?
Yes. After its record-setting premiere, CBS renewed the show, and Season 2 premiered on Oct. 4, 2026.
Read About : wise greg