The upcoming Yellowstone spin-off, Y: Marshals, will see Kayce Dutton (played by Luke Grimes) venture into uncharted territory following a devastating loss.

Set to debut on CBS and Paramount+ next year, the new series tracks the cowboy and ex-Navy SEAL in the aftermath of his father John Dutton’s (Kevin Costner) death during the flagship Western drama’s final season.

Joining an elite U.S. Marshals unit, Kayce faces the challenge of raising his son Tate (Brecken Merrill) while serving as Montana’s final bulwark against escalating violence.

Though the series is anticipated to feature numerous recognizable faces from the Yellowstone universe, with Gil Birmingham and Mo Brings Plenty confirmed as series regulars, one notable name remains glaringly missing from the announced cast.

Questions linger over whether Kelsey Asbille will return as Kayce’s wife Monica, particularly since the couple remained united through the previous season’s conclusion, reports the Express.

Earlier reports indicated her absence would be addressed, and writer Spencer Hudnut has now offered additional insight into Kayce’s circumstances when Marshals kicks off.

“He is a cowboy, but he is also a Navy Seal, so he has this incredible toolkit of skills to put to the test,” he revealed in conversation with Entertainment Weekly. “He’s a guy who excels running into the fire. As we saw all through Yellowstone, he is really the essence of being a protector, so it felt very natural for him to end up in a position like this where he’s putting others first.”

While family comes first, Kayce’s dedication to the Dutton Ranch frequently required him to join forces with Rip Wheeler (Cole Hauser) to defend their territory against adversaries.

Y: Marshals will begin one year following the finale, and significant changes appear to have taken place.

Hudnut added: “Protecting the ranch and all he got up to in Yellowstone kept him very busy.

“This downtime that he’s had between the end of that show and the start of ours has forced him to confront some of his demons and really focus on being a father. He’s a changed man.”

While Kayce’s role as a father remains central to Y: Marshals, his responsibilities as a husband receive notably less attention.

The writer highlighted that the rancher has enjoyed more quality time at home during the 12-month interval, once again emphasizing fatherhood over his marriage to Monica. “I think Kayce primarily always saw himself as a provider and a protector to his son, but maybe left the parenting to his wife,” he explained.

“But as he’s had a little more time on the home front, one of the things we get to see is the bond between Kayce and his son and also just seeing Kayce beginning to see a lot more of himself in his son as well.”

With Monica potentially no longer in the picture, Kayce’s relationship with Tate has grown stronger than ever, though it will undoubtedly face new challenges as he embarks on dangerous assignments across Montana in his new role.

All signs point to a heartbreaking loss for Kayce, but viewers will need to watch the upcoming Yellowstone spin-off to find out what truly unfolds.

Y: Marshals premieres 1st March, 2026 on CBS and the following day on Paramount+.