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When I first heard that Kayce Dutton was getting his own Yellowstone spin-off, I was genuinely thrilled. Luke Grimes has always brought a quiet intensity and emotional depth to Kayce that made him one of the most compelling characters in the original series.
The idea of following his journey beyond the Dutton ranch felt like an exciting move. Learning that he would be joining a team of elite U.S. Marshals and applying his Navy SEAL skills to bring justice to the Montana frontier sounded like a perfect blend of action and family drama.
But then came the letdown: Taylor Sheridan isn’t writing it. That news immediately changed how I felt about the spin-off, titled Y: Marshals. Sheridan has been the creative force behind every series of the Yellowstone universe so far. Now that he is only serving as an executive producer on the show, I’m not sure if Y: Marshals will be able to keep up with the franchise’s legacy without the creator’s vision.
How Taylor Sheridan not being fully involved in Kayce Dutton’s Yellowstone spin-off could harm the show
CBS officially greenlit Y: Marshals on May 7, 2025, with Spencer Hudnut as the showrunner and Taylor Sheridan serving as an executive producer. However, CBS Entertainment president Amy Reisenbach has stated that Sheridan is a 'busy guy' who might be available for the spin-off only in a limited capacity.
The franchise creator has so far been actively involved in all the prequel or spin-off shows – the mothership Yellowstone, 1923, 1883, and the upcoming The Madison. His writing, which is rich with tension, layered characters, and a deep understanding of the American West, is what made the show resonate.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not doubting Hudnut’s abilities. He is an experienced showrunner who has previously worked on SEAL Team, The Blacklist: Redemption, and Unforgettable. But Sheridan is a master when it comes to Western dramas. Without him directly at the helm, I can’t help but question whether Y: Marshals will carry the same heart and grit as other Yellowstone shows.
Translating Kayce Dutton into a procedural-style series without Sheridan’s guidance could make the show feel more generic and less of a part of the popular Western franchise. The show’s move to CBS is another concern.
Yellowstone has always felt premium and cinematic, but putting Y: Marshals on broadcast television, even with a 13-episode order, makes me wonder if the storytelling will be watered down to fit network drama stereotypes.
It is the first Yellowstone spin-off that is not debuting on Paramount+. It hints that the producers are focusing on mainstream accessibility. But I just hope they are still able to take narrative risks, like they did on streaming shows, particularly in the recently released 1923 Season 2.
Y: Marshals still has potential as Luke Grimes is returning as Kayce Dutton. The premise of Kayce balancing his Marshal duties with family life in Montana seems promising. And maybe Hudnut will surprise us by honoring the spirit of what Sheridan created. But without the franchise creator guiding the story, I’m not sure if the spin-off will live up to the expectations.
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Nevertheless, I hope the show proves me wrong when it premieres on CBS in the 2025-2026 schedule. I would be happy to see Y: Marshals standing on its own, with a perfect blend of nostalgia and novelty.
For more interesting updates on Yellowstone spin-offs, keep following SoapCentral.
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