“Luke Grimes Teases Return of ‘Familiar Faces’ in Yellowstone Spinoff Amid Kevin Costner Drama”

Luke Grimes Hints at Familiar Faces Returning in Yellowstone Spinoff ‘Y: Marshals’ Amid Kevin Costner Exit

Luke Grimes is giving Yellowstone fans something to look forward to as he prepares to reprise his role as Kayce Dutton in the upcoming spinoff series, Y: Marshals. The 41-year-old actor, who portrayed the youngest Dutton son through all five seasons of the hit Paramount Network series, recently teased that a few recognizable faces from Yellowstone will appear in the new show.

Y: Marshals was recently greenlit by CBS with a straight-to-series order and is slated to premiere during the 2026 midseason. The new series follows Kayce as he joins an elite U.S. Marshals unit, blending his background as a cowboy and Navy SEAL to serve justice in Montana. The plot promises a mix of action, duty, and emotional depth as Kayce and his team face the physical and psychological challenges of being the region’s last line of defense.

While Grimes is the only confirmed cast member so far, he hinted during a recent interview with TooFab—while promoting his new A24 film Eddington—that some familiar faces from Yellowstone will appear.

“You will see some familiar faces. I’m excited to do it,” Grimes said. “It’s going to be year eight for me, playing the same character—which is wild. Who would have thought I’d be with a character this long?”

He continued, “Kayce’s really close to my heart. He feels like family, and it would feel strange to just let him go. So I’m glad I get the chance to reconnect with him.”

Among the most likely returning characters are Kayce’s wife, Monica (Kelsey Asbille), and their son Tate (Brecken Merrill), who were integral to his story in Yellowstone. In the series finale, Kayce devised a plan to preserve the Dutton legacy by selling the ranch back to the Broken Rock Indian Reservation—where Monica has deep ties—with a provision that allowed him and his family to stay on a piece of land and raise cattle.

With Kayce settling down near his sister Beth (Kelly Reilly) and her husband Rip (Cole Hauser), who bought a ranch of their own nearby, there’s speculation that they too may appear in Y: Marshals. Other past characters, including former ranch hands from the bunkhouse, may also make a return.

Production details and further casting announcements for Y: Marshals have yet to be released.

The spinoff joins another Sheridan-created series, The Madison, which follows a wealthy New York City family relocating to Montana. That series features an ensemble cast including Michelle Pfeiffer, Kurt Russell, Patrick J. Adams, Beau Garrett, Elle Chapman, and Amiah Miller.

Grimes rose to stardom with his role in Yellowstone, playing the son of John Dutton (Kevin Costner), the patriarch of the ranch. Costner’s unexpected departure from the series, following behind-the-scenes tension and scheduling conflicts, became a major talking point as the show wrapped up its final season in 2024.

Kevin reportedly clashed with Yellowstone creator Taylor Sheridan and left the show halfway through season five. His character was ultimately killed off in a dramatic murder-for-hire plot. Meanwhile, Costner focused on his decades-in-the-making film project Horizon, which he directed, co-wrote, and financed with over $38 million of his own money—only to face disappointing box office returns for its first installment.

In a candid interview with Men’s Health, Grimes reflected on filming the final episodes after Costner’s exit. “To be really honest, there was a part of Kevin being gone that meant some of the conflict was gone,” he said. “It was actually the easiest season we’ve filmed.”

Though he denied any personal issues with Costner, Grimes admitted they haven’t spoken since the departure. “It’s not like there are hard feelings,” he said. “He’s Kevin Costner. He’s a big deal. I do have his number—I just don’t feel like it’s my place to reach out. He can call me if he wants.”