Connecticut Doctor Turns “Joke” Into Role on Yellowstone Spinoff Y: Marshals
What started as a casual joke has now led to a real-life acting credit for Dr. Karen Soika, a cosmetic surgeon from Greenwich, Connecticut. Soika, who also lives part-time in Park City, Utah, is now contributing her medical expertise to the filming of Y: Marshals, the upcoming Yellowstone spinoff following Kayce Dutton (Luke Grimes) as he joins a U.S. Marshal unit. The series is set to premiere on CBS in spring 2026.
From House Call Joke to On-Set Opportunity
Soika stumbled upon the Y: Marshals set while dropping something off for a nurse. In a lighthearted moment, she joked, “I’m actually a cosmetic surgeon. If anyone needs Botox or a procedure while filming, I’ll make a house call.”
Her comment led the nurse to share Soika’s business card with the casting director, who was seeking medical expertise for an upcoming hospital scene. What began as a casual remark quickly turned into an on-set role helping with realism in medical scenes.
Ensuring Authentic Medical Accuracy
For her first assignment, Soika assisted with a live scene involving two gunshot victims. She advised the production team on realistic body positioning, props like gauze, and how wounds should appear on actors.
“It’s very similar to surgery,” Soika explained. “You rely on everyone knowing their roles, respect the environment, and maintain continuity. On a TV set, just like in an operating room, every detail matters.”
Her expertise not only enhanced realism but also helped the makeup and props teams accurately depict injuries, ensuring the hospital scenes felt authentic.
On-Camera Experience
In addition to behind-the-scenes work, Soika was also given a chance to appear on camera. She played a nurse in the hallway during filming, blending into the hospital environment as the main actors performed their scenes.
Soika’s flexible schedule allows her to balance her cosmetic surgery practice with her work on Y: Marshals, often helping on her days off. She praised the cast and crew’s dedication, noting their 12– to 14-hour filming days mirrored the intensity of medical work.
A Surprise Career Twist
“I never considered working on a TV show,” Soika admitted. “It started as a joke, and then it just fell into place. It’s been fascinating to see how my medical expertise can be applied in this new way. I’d definitely do it again.”
Filming in Park City is set to continue through mid-December, and Soika anticipates taking part in more medical scenes as the series progresses.