Just weeks before its highly anticipated debut, the upcoming Yellowstone spin-off series starring Luke Grimes has undergone a significant title change. What was originally announced as Y: Marshals will now premiere under the shorter, simpler name Marshals. The adjustment, confirmed by CBS in early January 2026, has left many viewers wondering about the reason behind the last-minute switch.
The series, which is set to premiere on March 1, 2026, on CBS and stream the next day on Paramount+, follows Kayce Dutton as he leaves his family’s Montana ranch behind to join an elite unit of the U.S. Marshals . While the core premise remains unchanged, the decision to drop the “Y” from the title has sparked plenty of discussion among fans of the franchise.
The Official Reason Behind the Name Change
According to a CBS representative, the original title Y: Marshals was always intended as a “working title.” The network confirmed to The Hollywood Reporter that the series has now been finalized as simply Marshals . However, the timing of the announcement raised eyebrows, as all press materials and even the teaser trailer released in November 2025 still referred to the show as Y: Marshals .
When pressed about why the change happened so close to the premiere date, the CBS spokesperson offered an interesting clarification. They stated that internally, the “Y” was “always considered silent,” and interestingly, the letter will remain in the show’s official logo even though it no longer appears in the title . This means viewers will still see the branding that connects the series to its parent show, even if they won’t say it out loud.
Luke Grimes Offers a Simple Explanation
Luke Grimes, who reprises his role as Kayce Dutton, addressed the title change while walking the red carpet at the 2026 Golden Globe Awards. When asked by Entertainment Tonight why the network decided to make the switch, the actor responded with a mix of humor and honesty.
“Well, it sounded like a question, didn’t it — Y: Marshals?” Grimes joked. On a more serious note, he added, “I think they just wanted to make sure that people knew it was a Yellowstone world, Taylor Sheridan world kind of a show. And it’s clear once you see Kayce that it is that, so I think we can drop the ‘Y’ now” .
Grimes’ explanation suggests that the network felt confident the connection to Yellowstone would be instantly recognizable to audiences simply by seeing his character on screen, making the verbal “Y” branding redundant.
A Pattern in the Sheridan Universe
This isn’t the first time a Taylor Sheridan project has undergone a title tweak. The prequel series 1883 was initially promoted under the working title Y: 1883 during its early development stages before the numerical name was finalized . Similarly, the other prequel, 1923, was originally announced as 1932 before the creative team decided to shift the timeline .
This pattern suggests that the “Y” branding might serve as a temporary placeholder to establish a connection to the mothership series during development, with the final titles often evolving to stand on their own.
Theories About the Dropped “Y”
While the official explanation points to a simple working title adjustment, industry observers have noted other possibilities. One theory suggests the change could be an effort to give the spin-off its own identity. Kayce Dutton’s storyline in Yellowstone famously revolved around his desire to break free from the weight of his family name and the ranch. As the character says in the show’s trailer, “I fought every day to get out from under the weight of the Yellowstone” . Dropping the “Y” symbolically aligns with Kayce’s journey to define himself outside of the Dutton legacy.
Another theory floating around involves Taylor Sheridan‘s upcoming departure from Paramount. The creator recently signed a massive five-year deal with NBCUniversal that begins in 2029, though his television contract with Paramount runs through 2028 . While a CBS representative denied any connection between the name change and sour grapes over Sheridan’s exit, some observers wondered if the network wanted to ensure the show could stand on its own feet creatively if Sheridan becomes less involved down the road . The rep pointed out that press stories still reference the show’s connection to Yellowstone, so the link remains clear.
What to Expect From ‘Marshals’
Despite the name change, the show’s premise remains as exciting as when it was first announced. Marshals picks up after the events of the Yellowstone series finale, where Kayce sold the family’s ancestral land to the Broken Rock Reservation. Now free from the ranch, he puts his skills as a former Navy SEAL and cowboy to work with a specialized law enforcement unit.
The official CBS logline describes the series: “With the Yellowstone Ranch behind him, Kayce Dutton joins an elite unit of U.S. Marshals, combining his skills as a cowboy and Navy SEAL to bring range justice to Montana, where he and his teammates must balance family, duty and the high psychological cost that comes with serving as the last line of defense in the region’s war on violence” .
Fans will be happy to see several familiar faces returning. Brecken Merrill is back as Kayce’s son, Tate Dutton, while Gil Birmingham reprises his role as Thomas Rainwater, and Mo Brings Plenty returns as Mo . New additions to the cast include Arielle Kebbel, Ash Santos, Tatanka Means, and Logan Marshall-Green, with Brett Cullen joining in the recurring role of Harry Gifford, the head of the Montana Marshals unit .
One noticeable absence from the cast list is Kelsey Asbille, who played Kayce’s wife, Monica Dutton. The show’s trailers have fueled speculation that Monica may have met her end before the events of the spin-off, which would explain Kayce’s search for a fresh start and his focus on raising Tate alone .
A recent development has fans buzzing about a possible cameo. Country singer Riley Green hinted in December 2025 that he had shot a guest spot for an unnamed show, and eagle-eyed viewers spotted someone who looks like him in the Marshals trailer . While his representative had no comment, Green previously told Country Now about his acting experience: “It just happened so fast that I didn’t really have time to get nervous and so I was just kind of, the scene was done, and I was like, ‘OK, well I guess it was all right.’ They didn’t yell at me or yell ‘cut’ or anything, but it was a lot of fun” .
Production and Release Details
Marshals began production in the summer of 2025 and wrapped filming by December of that year. Spencer Hudnut, known for his work on SEAL Team, serves as showrunner and executive producer, with Taylor Sheridan also executive producing . Notably, Hudnut is handling writing duties, with Sheridan’s creative involvement described as minimal .
The first season is expected to consist of 13 episodes . CBS will air the show weekly on Sunday nights at 8 p.m. ET, with episodes available for streaming on Paramount+ the following day . For international viewers, the series will be available on Paramount+ in regions where the service operates. Viewers in the UK and Australia can access the show on Paramount+, while audiences in India can watch it on JioCinema, which carries Paramount+ content.
The premiere episode, titled “Piya Wiconi,” is written by Hudnut and directed by Emmy winner Greg Yaitanes, known for his work on House and House of the Dragon .
Also Read:
The Bigger ‘Yellowstone’ Universe
Marshals is just one piece of an expanding franchise. Other upcoming projects include The Madison, starring Michelle Pfeiffer and Kurt Russell, and the Beth and Rip-focused spin-off now officially titled Dutton Ranch, which will reunite Kelly Reilly and Cole Hauser . A prequel series titled 1994 is also in development, which will serve as a follow-up to 1883 and 1923.
With March 1 fast approaching, fans won’t have to wait much longer to see where Kayce Dutton’s journey takes him next. Whether you call it Y: Marshals or simply Marshals, the return of one of Yellowstone‘s most beloved characters is definitely something to mark on your calendar.
Also Read: The Pitt Season 2 Episode 7: Shawn Hatosy Opens Up About Dr. Abbott ‘Checking In on’ Dr. Robby
For more updates on all your favorite shows, celebrities, and streaming news, keep visiting VvipTimes for the latest entertainment headlines and exclusive coverage.
