The man behind Kayce Dutton doesn’t tune in to see his own performances. Luke Grimes, star of the hit series Marshals and Yellowstone, recently opened up about why he stays away from watching himself act. His reason comes down to protecting his craft.
The 42-year-old actor has played the rugged cowboy for nearly a decade. Fans have watched Kayce Dutton grow from a troubled rancher to a U.S. Marshal in the new spin-off series Marshals. The show premiered on March 1, 2026, on CBS and became an instant hit. The first episode pulled in more than 20 million viewers across all platforms, making it the biggest CBS premiere without an NFL lead-in since 2017. The show has already been renewed for a second season.
But Grimes doesn’t join the millions watching at home. In a recent interview with Hey U Guys, he gave a blunt and honest answer about his viewing habits.
“I know this is sort of like a sh*tty answer, but I don’t watch myself. So no, I don’t. I won’t watch it. Not because I’m too cool to. I get really self conscious and then I feel like it affects the work.”
Why Luke Grimes Avoids His Own Performances
The actor’s reasoning comes down to mental focus. Grimes worries that seeing himself on screen would create self-doubt. That doubt could then change how he plays Kayce Dutton in future episodes. He wants to stay true to the character without overthinking every move.
This isn’t the first time Grimes has spoken about feeling insecure in his work. He deals with similar feelings when performing music. The actor also has a growing country music career. He released his first album in 2024 and has a second album called Redbird that came out on April 3, 2026. In a separate interview on The Joe Rogan Experience, Grimes admitted he gets major stage fright before concerts. He called it “imposter syndrome” and said he sometimes wishes he could cancel shows.
But acting feels different. Grimes has been acting for over 20 years. He knows the character of Kayce Dutton inside and out. Watching himself from the outside could break the spell that makes his performance work.
Grimes Also Avoids Fan Comments
The actor doesn’t just avoid watching himself. He also stays away from reading what fans say about Marshals online. During the same interview, Grimes explained that he actively ignores viewer reactions.
“I actively try not to observe anybody’s reaction because I’ll read like ten good comments and then the only thing I think about is one bad one. So I just don’t look at any of them.”
Grimes said his mother keeps him updated on what people are saying. So he still hears the general buzz without diving into the comment sections himself.
Also Read:
What’s Next for Kayce Dutton and Marshals
Marshals Season 1 is currently airing on CBS with new episodes every Sunday at 8 PM ET/PT. The season will have 13 episodes total. Fans can also stream episodes on Paramount+ the day after they air live.
The show follows Kayce Dutton as he joins an elite U.S. Marshals unit in Montana. He balances his skills as a former Navy SEAL and a cowboy while raising his son Tate as a single dad after losing his wife Monica.
Also Read: Margo’s Got Money Troubles Episode 6 Release Date: When to Watch The Episode on Apple TV+
Grimes confirmed that production on Season 2 will start soon. “They’re writing it right now and we start in about a month,” he said. The cast will begin shooting in Park City and continue almost through the end of the year. Season 2 is expected to premiere in Fall 2026 on CBS.
Want more updates on your favorite Yellowstone universe stars and shows? Visit VvipTimes daily for the latest entertainment news.
