“Kevin Costner’s Successor on Yellowstone Has Been Officially Announced”

There was never going to be another John Dutton. Kevin Costner’s Yellowstone patriarch was the heart of the original series, and the ranch revolved around him. So, a big question for the spin-off Marshals was who would fill that role. The answer isn’t Kayce—it’s Thomas Rainwater.

Marshals, focused on Luke Grimes’ Kayce Dutton, brings back familiar faces like Gil Birmingham as Thomas Rainwater, Mo Brings Plenty, and Brecken Merrill. While Kayce drives the story, Thomas now steps into the “protector of the land” role, making tough decisions and defending the valley—but for his own reasons, not the Dutton legacy.

Collider’s review praised Marshals for not being a direct Yellowstone sequel, giving Kayce a fresh start. Despite network TV constraints—tighter pacing, occasional repetitive dialogue—the show’s neo-Western style and strong character chemistry make it promising, especially once the initial growing pains pass.