Kevin Costner’s Fate in ‘Y: Marshals’: Flashback Return or Final Farewell?

The Yellowstone Universe Expands—Without Its Patriarch?

The Yellowstone universe continues to sprawl across the television frontier, but fans are left wondering: will the iconic figure at its core, John Dutton, make a comeback in Y: Marshals? Kevin Costner’s involvement in the upcoming CBS spinoff remains a mystery—teasing both the possibility of emotional flashbacks and the final severing of ties with the Dutton patriarch.

Y: Marshals, which premieres March 1 on CBS, follows Kayce Dutton (played by Luke Grimes) as he trades his ranch life for a badge—joining a high-intensity U.S. Marshals unit in Montana. The gritty new series promises emotional weight, action, and legacy-fueled reflection, especially as Kayce confronts the burden of being John Dutton’s son. But does that legacy include seeing Kevin Costner again on screen?

A Fractured Past and an Uncertain Future

Costner’s exit from Yellowstone was as dramatic off-screen as it was in the plot. Reportedly at odds with showrunner Taylor Sheridan and constrained by his commitments to Horizon, Costner left before filming the back half of Season 5. With Sheridan continuing only as executive producer on Y: Marshals and a new showrunner, Spencer Hudnut (of SEAL Team fame), steering the ship, there’s fresh creative energy—but no guarantee of Costner’s return.

While John Dutton was confirmed dead in the Yellowstone timeline, Y: Marshals has access to past footage, and the narrative offers plenty of emotional opportunities for flashbacks. Kayce’s internal struggles—balancing justice, duty, and family—make his memories of his father ripe for exploration. That could open the door for archived scenes or even new ones, should Costner agree to film.

Sheridan Moves On—but the Duttons Remain

Interestingly, Y: Marshals is being produced under the same Paramount banner that owns Yellowstone, and with other fan-favorites like Tate Dutton (Brecken Merrill), Thomas Rainwater (Gil Birmingham), and Mo (Mo Brings Plenty) already confirmed, crossover potential is high. Rumors even hint at appearances from Beth (Kelly Reilly) and Rip (Cole Hauser) in this or upcoming spinoffs.

Meanwhile, Taylor Sheridan’s own future is shifting—he’s inked a mega-deal with NBCUniversal set to begin in 2029. But until his Paramount contract ends in 2028, the Yellowstone franchise remains fertile ground.

So, Will We See Kevin Costner Again?

Costner had reportedly expressed interest in filming a cameo for Yellowstone‘s final season—likely as a flashback—but it never materialized. Still, the narrative value of John Dutton looms large. For Y: Marshals, leaning into that emotional gravity could mean tapping into old footage… or bringing Costner back, one last time.

Would you welcome a surprise return of John Dutton, even in flashbacks—or should Kayce’s story blaze a new trail entirely?