‘Y: Marshals’: ‘Yellowstone’s Next Spinoff Should Worry Taylor Sheridan Fans

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As the March 1, 2026, debut of the new Yellowstone spin-off, Y: Marshals, approaches, fans should be prepared for some significant changes. With two major shifts in the show’s direction, the story of Kayce Dutton (Luke Grimes) becoming a U.S. Marshal in Montana might feel very different from other Taylor Sheridan productions. It may not have the same style or appeal that viewers expect from a Sheridan show.

Before we get into two big changes that Yellowstone fans should know about, it’s important to remember that Taylor Sheridan’s contract with Paramount ends in 2028. He’s recently signed a deal with Universal, which likely explains the major changes to Y: Marshals. The show is getting a new writing team and will now air on a mainstream television network. Simply put, Y: Marshals will be very different in style and tone from Yellowstone.

What is ‘Y: Marshals’ About?


Paramount+

As one of the shows expanding the world of Yellowstone, Y: Marshals continues the story after the original series ended in 2024. Following the death of John Dutton (Kevin Costner) and his son Jamie (Wes Bentley), the new series centers on Kayce Dutton (Luke Grimes) and his son Tate (Brecken Merill) as they navigate life in Montana.

Now that Kayce’s sister, Beth, and her husband, Rip, have left the Dutton ranch for a fresh start, Kayce is pursuing a career with the U.S. Marshals. Notably missing from the cast is Kelsey Asbille, who played Kayce’s wife and the mother of Tate. Although she might reappear later, many believe her character was likely killed off between the end of Yellowstone and the beginning of Y: Marshals.

Instead of being a dramatic, over-the-top western like Yellowstone, the new series Y: Marshals will focus more on realistic police work. This is one of several changes that could alter what made Yellowstone so successful. The cast will also be different, with new actors joining Gil Birmingham and Mo Brings Plenty, who are returning from Yellowstone.

Y: Marshals Loses Taylor Sheridan as Writer & Changes Networks


Paramount+

Beyond the new actors and the show’s format, the biggest changes for Y: Marshals compared to Yellowstone are a change in writers and the TV channel it airs on. Taylor Sheridan, the creator, has a lot of projects for Paramount to finish before his contract ends in 2028, and he simply doesn’t have enough time to write for Y: Marshals as well. He’s currently working on several other hit series like Landman, Tulsa King, Lioness, Mayor of Kingstown, The Madison, The Dutton Ranch, 6666, and 1944, which keeps him from being able to write episodes for the new show.

Taylor Sheridan will continue as an executive producer on Y: Marshals, but he won’t be writing any episodes. Spencer Hudnut, the showrunner and another executive producer, will handle most of the writing, including the first episode. Fans of Yellowstone who enjoy Sheridan’s distinctive style – his rugged cowboys and unique Western dialogue – might find this change concerning.

The loss of Taylor Sheridan’s direct involvement is a huge blow. Since 2018, he’s been one of the most productive and successful writers for television, and a key reason why Yellowstone did so well on Paramount+. Moving Y: Marshals away from his unique style and simplifying the stories for a wider audience risks losing dedicated fans and viewers. While Sheridan will still offer guidance, Yellowstone fans should expect Y: Marshals to feel quite different from the original series.

Perhaps even more troubling, Y: Marshals is moving from Paramount+ to regular CBS television, with weekly episodes. This shift from a streaming service focused on a specific audience to a broad network like CBS likely means the show will become less gritty and more mainstream compared to Yellowstone. Expect less strong language, violence, and complex storytelling, and more of a simplified approach designed to appeal to a wider range of viewers.

The show Yellowstone features intense and often brutal violence. Examples include the painful branding of characters with the letter ‘Y’, like when Kayce remembers getting branded as a child – a scene too graphic for a network like CBS. Other shocking moments include a violent attack on Beth’s office and the gruesome removal of a character’s ‘Y’ tattoo, as well as tragic deaths like Colby and Teeter being trampled by horses. When the spin-off Y: Marshals moves to CBS, the level of this harsh violence will likely be toned down with a new team of writers.

Who Else Stars in ‘Y: Marshals’?


USA Network/Netflix

Alongside a new network and writing team, Y: Marshals will add fresh faces to the Yellowstone universe. So far, Logan Marshall-Green (known for Upgrade and The Invitation) is the biggest casting news – he’ll play Pete Calvin, a significant new character. Pete is a close friend of Kayce’s from their military days, and one of the few people who truly understands the mental toll of war. Having served with Kayce as Navy SEALs, Pete will help Kayce adjust back to civilian life, and Kayce will return the favor.

Brett Cullen, known for his roles in Winning Time and Ransom Canyon, will play Harry Gifford in Y: Marshals. Gifford leads the U.S. Marshals team in Montana and will be Kayce’s boss. Arielle Kebbel (Rescue: HI-Surf), Ash Santos (Mayor of Kingstown), and Tatanka Means (Killers of the Flower Moon) will also join the Montana team as U.S. Marshals, playing Belle, Andrea, and Miles, respectively.

The supporting cast of Y: Marshals features Gregory Zaragoza (known for his role as Red Bear in Yellowstone), Pamela Beheshti (Bundy Manor), John Forker (The Graduates), Josh Piper (The Mentalist), and rising star Madison Best.

While more details about the cast are still to come before Y: Marshal debuts on CBS on March 1, 2026, Yellowstone fans should be prepared for a significantly different show than the one Taylor Sheridan created for Paramount+. Don’t expect it to be exactly the same.

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2025-11-23 02:06