Just when we thought Yellowstone was done with its Dutton saga, Luke Grimes drops a bombshell! After initially saying goodbye to Kayce Dutton and his iconic cowboy role, Grimes is back for a Yellowstone spin-off—Y: Marshals! The spin-off will follow Kayce as he teams up with US Marshals to clean up the lawless corners of Montana. But what made Grimes change his mind about leaving the character behind for good?

“I didn’t think I was going to do it,” Grimes confessed. So, what changed? And will Y: Marshals be the next big hit in the Yellowstone universe?

For Yellowstone fans, the Dutton story has been one of the most gripping narratives in modern television. But when Kevin Costner’s character left the series, it felt like the end of an era. As the show neared its conclusion in December 2024, fans were bracing for the end of the family saga. Yet, just as the dust seemed to settle, Luke Grimes, who portrayed the fan-favorite Kayce Dutton, surprised everyone by agreeing to return to the role for the spin-off Y: Marshals.

Grimes had previously expressed that his character had completed a full arc, saying Kayce got what he wanted: a simpler, happier life away from the burdens of running the ranch and the violence of his past. After all, Kayce just wanted his little slice of heaven. But, as Grimes now reveals, something changed. “Honestly, I didn’t think I was going to do it,” he admitted in a recent interview. “I thought it ended really well for him. We really took him through a full arc. He got what he wanted and went through hell to get it.”

So what made him reconsider? According to Grimes, the idea for a spin-off seemed distant at first. There were many ideas thrown around, and at first, he wasn’t convinced that continuing Kayce’s story would make sense. But then, one particular pitch opened up the world for him in a way he hadn’t anticipated. “I heard a really good idea, and that was kind of it. I thought, actually, that opens up the world for him.”

Grimes admitted that the opportunity to explore Kayce’s character in new ways was appealing, and putting the cowboy hat back on wasn’t as bad as he once thought. “I really liked playing that character. It was the most fulfilling job I’ve ever had in my life, so I’m happy not to say goodbye to him fully.”

In Y: Marshals, Grimes’ Kayce will join a new team of US Marshals in Montana, working alongside both new faces and some familiar ones, to combat a level of lawlessness that the state has never seen before. It’s a fascinating shift for the character—moving from the family ranch to a role that involves actively pursuing justice and order in the wilds of Montana.

While Y: Marshals is still in its early stages, with a tentative release date in 2026, the idea of Kayce Dutton taking on new challenges has fans excited to see what’s next for him. But Grimes’ change of heart also hints at even bigger plans for the Yellowstone universe. With multiple spin-offs already in development, including Dutton Ranch, The Madison, and 1944, Y: Marshals could be a key component in keeping the Dutton legacy alive for years to come.

Will Grimes’ return to Yellowstone in Y: Marshals be the catalyst for a new era of Yellowstone spin-offs? And how will Kayce’s new role as a US Marshal affect his relationships with the Dutton family and his own sense of self? The world of Yellowstone is expanding, and fans can’t wait to see where it goes next.

For Grimes, returning to Kayce Dutton was about more than just the character—it was about honoring the incredible journey the show and his character had already been through. And with the success of the Yellowstone franchise in mind, it seems the story of the Duttons will continue to keep fans hooked for the foreseeable future.

So, are you ready for Y: Marshals? What do you think of Grimes’ decision to return to the character? Let us know your thoughts below!