Y: MARSHALS TO SHAKE UP THE YELLOWSTONE UNIVERSE – THIS CHARACTER COULD CHANGE EVERYTHING
CBS’ upcoming drama Y: Marshals promises to take the Yellowstone universe into bold new territory. The series will follow Kayce Dutton (Luke Grimes) as he transitions from ranch life to his new role as a U.S. Marshal, blending cowboy grit with military precision. With former SEAL Team showrunner Spencer Hudnut overseeing production, fans can expect action-heavy storytelling and deeper insight into Kayce’s past as a Navy SEAL — something Yellowstone only hinted at.
Why Cade McPherson Deserves a Comeback
One character deserves special attention: Cade McPherson (Jake McLaughlin). Introduced late in Yellowstone Season 5B, Cade helped Kayce investigate Jamie Dutton’s role in John Dutton’s murder. His two brief appearances — in “The Apocalypse of Change” and “Counting Coup” — positioned him as a trusted ally with ties to Kayce’s military past.
Cade’s character was underused on Yellowstone, but Y: Marshals could fix that. His government contacts, covert communication style, and instant loyalty to Kayce suggest a rich backstory that fans have yet to see. Series like SEAL Team and The Terminal List have shown that exploring brotherhood among operators can be thrilling television — and Cade could bring that energy to CBS’ procedural format.
Building Continuity in the Yellowstone Universe
Paramount has made it clear that the Yellowstone franchise is expanding — with 1944, Four Sixes, and 1883 spin-offs already in play — and Y: Marshals is the first to focus almost entirely on law enforcement. Including characters like Cade McPherson and newcomer Pete Calvin (Logan Marshall-Green) would give fans continuity across the franchise and connect Kayce’s new mission to his traumatic past.
Flashbacks could deepen the story even further. Seeing Kayce and Cade during their SEAL missions would give audiences a better understanding of Kayce’s choices, his moral code, and the emotional weight he carries. This is the kind of layered storytelling that helped make Yellowstone a hit in the first place.
From Ranch Drama to Procedural Action
Unlike Yellowstone, which centered on family feuds and land disputes, Y: Marshals seems poised to deliver a faster-paced mix of crime drama and neo-Western action. It may lean into a Longmire-style case-of-the-week format while still tackling Kayce’s personal struggles — including balancing justice with family life.
The stakes are high: Y: Marshals will be the first major Yellowstone project to air on CBS instead of Paramount Network, potentially drawing in a broader network TV audience. By grounding the story in Kayce’s relationships — particularly with Cade — the series has a chance to stand on its own while keeping die-hard Sheridanverse fans invested.
What Comes Next
While we wait for Y: Marshals to premiere in 2026, fans can revisit Kayce’s journey on Yellowstone, streaming now on Peacock. With Taylor Sheridan still developing Yellowstone: 2024 and other projects for Paramount, the future of the Dutton universe is busier than ever. If Y: Marshals leans into the brotherhood between Kayce and Cade, it could become one of the most emotionally charged chapters yet.