After the prequels 1883 and 1923, the first Yellowstone sequel series is set to premiere on CBS on March 1, 2026. Excitement is high since the spinoff, Y: Marshals, will center on one of the parent show’s fan-favorite characters, Kayce Dutton (Luke Grimes). This time, the former U.S. Navy SEAL and rancher — who also served as the Commissioner of the Montana Livestock Association — will be part of a specialized group of U.S. Marshals tasked with protecting Montana.
Several other characters from the original series are expected to return. These include Thomas Rainwater (Gil Birmingham), chairman of the Confederated Tribes of Broken Rock and leader of the Broken Rock Reservation, and his right-hand man, Mo (Mo Brings Plenty). However, one name is conspicuously missing from all casting announcements and from the trailer released on November 24. Monica (Kelsey Asbille), the Juliet to Kayce’s Romeo, is nowhere to be seen. This absence is notable, considering that Kayce and Monica’s arcs concluded beautifully in the parent show, with the two giving up wealth for a life of peace.
‘Y: Marshals’ Ruins Kayce’s “Happy Family” Arc
In Yellowstone’s 90-minute finale, Kayce strikes a deal with Thomas Rainwater and the tribal nation. The Dutton family sells most of the iconic Yellowstone ranch back to the reservation for a mere $1.25/acre, on the condition that it be preserved and never used for business purposes. It’s a poignant moment, considering what the vast land has meant to generations of Dutton family members, but the story concludes in a way that leaves fans content and optimistic.
Kayce and Monica are not left empty-handed. They keep the “East Camp” for themselves, allowing them to start anew. Kayce and his son, Tate, thus attend an auction, buy cattle, and start a smaller-scale ranch operation with Monica. Both parents are pleased, knowing that, even though they have given up all material perks, they are about to live happily and peacefully ever after. “We’re free,” Kayce breathes a sigh of relief, but Monica reminds him that “You’ve always been free.”
This was a perfect end to the violence and all the stress of maintaining the Dutton legacy. Kayce’s return as a lawman in Y: Marshals means he is jumping from one frying pan to another. And with Monica nowhere to be seen, the offshoot doesn’t seem appealing. It makes no sense to leave her out, especially after the heartwarming final minutes, when we see the family on their east camp ranch, happily herding the 300 cows they just bought. Why dismantle the little slice of heaven?
The Y: Marshals trailer compels us to sympathize with Kayce, who appears deeply distressed, as though overwhelmed by an emotional turmoil. But even as his prospects appear bleak, he seems focused and ready to meet numerous social obligations, concealing all his current sorrows stoically. There is Tate, too, who appears briefly in a car with his father.
Kayce mentions “skeletons” in his closet and talks about the need for a fresh start. This implies that a major development has occurred, forcing him to seek a fresh start. Another fresh start? In some sequences, the trailer dispenses with dialogue altogether — the pictures alone tell us everything that needs to be said. Nothing is the same. But why?
‘Y: Marshals’ Should Have Been an Independent Show
1883 and 1923 were necessary spinoffs, created to enrich the Dutton family’s backstory. Y: Marshals comes off as more of a cash grab. No fan would have had a problem with never seeing Kayce again. After blessing us with one of television’s best love stories for five years, Kayce and Monica should have been allowed to remain “free.” And if the itch to hold on to the couple had refused to fade, fans should have been gifted with a show that rejoices and laments the smarting transience of love, not one that completely erases it.
A show like Y: Marshals should have been an independent one, away from the Yellowstone franchise. Sure, Kayce’s experience as a Navy SEAL makes him the perfect man to take on hoodlums, but his family is his top priority, and it’d be awkward to see him live without Monica or to step away from his new ranch life.
Is the law enforcement idea even necessary? After all, Sheridan already has Lawmen: Bass Reeves, a story about one of the greatest marshals who ever lived. By making another marshal show, he is simply adding way more playing time to the recommended hours. Interestingly, Bass Reeves was also conceptualized as a Yellowstone spinoff, but Sheridan changed his mind and made it independent. If only he had made the same choice for Y: Marshals.
According to Esquire, Grimes had no idea a spinoff would ever be made. He was approached four months after production on Season 5 of Yellowstone wrapped. Understandably, he was initially unsure about the new show being centered on his character, believing that his arc had wrapped up perfectly. Grimes ultimately chose to proceed after hearing the pitch.
It’s unclear whether Kelsey Asbille was approached. However, there are no reports of her being cast in any other major productions meant for the big and small screens. Talks with Sheridan and Paramount might have fallen apart, or maybe she didn’t see any sense in playing Monica again after the joyful denouement. Of course, she could always play a smaller part, or perhaps we have yet to see what her role truly entails if she is part of the series.
Why Monica’s Absence in the ‘Y: Marshals’ Trailer Is Worrying
Either of two explanations is likely to be used to account for Monica’s absence: divorce or death. Unfortunately, neither grief nor an emotionally charged account of a disintegrating marriage is convincing enough. Monica can be pictured leaving Kayce after being angered by his choice to become a crime fighter rather than live quietly as a rancher. “You promised you were done with that life!” (tears start flowing). How many times have we heard such a line in movies and TV shows? Monica must have had enough of all the violence, and she might just say those exact words before she walks away for good.
However, such a move would go against her character. Monica is likely to scold Kayce, rather than leave him. What would be so bad as to cause a separation? For five seasons, there were no telltale chinks in the couple’s relationship. These two characters were always the kind that placed their faith in the exhilaration and allure of romantic tumult, not in the deep contentment of sense and reasonableness.
A death announcement is the other possibility, but by doing so, the franchise would be repeating itself, and Sheridan might look like someone devoid of ideas following John Dutton’s demise in Yellowstone Season 5.
If Monica is alive, Sheridan can always find a way to bring her back. In a scenario where fans voice strong dissatisfaction over Kayce’s solo adventures in Season 1, the writer/producer can appease them by rehiring Kelsey Asbille for Season 2. Recasting the character, if there are behind-the-scenes issues, is not entirely out of the question. If anyone can correct a poor start, it is Sheridan. For example, Lioness improved dramatically, rising from a 53% Rotten Tomatoes score in Season 1 to 90% in Season 2
As unnecessary as Y: Marshals is, it’d undoubtedly be a better show with both Kayce and Monica in the picture. Kayce might shoot miscreants all he wants, but fans want to continue seeing him as a good husband and father. Still, we should all remain optimistic and be open to surprises.
- Release Date
-
2026 – 2026
- Network
-
CBS
- Directors
-
Greg Yaitanes