As Luke Grimes leads the next Dutton spinoff, fans are asking: Where is Monica? And what does her silence reveal?

From Central Character to Missing in Action

When Y: Marshals premieres in March 2026, all eyes will be on Kayce Dutton as he trades ranch life for a badge. But while the trailers show plenty of action, one person is glaringly absent—Monica Dutton, Kayce’s wife and longtime emotional anchor.

Played by Kelsey Asbille, Monica was central to Yellowstone’s emotional core. Her storylines—grappling with identity, motherhood, and loss—offered critical depth to Kayce’s journey. So why isn’t she part of the new series?

Kayce’s New Role, New World

Y: Marshals picks up after the Yellowstone finale, with Kayce stepping into a new role in an elite U.S. Marshals unit. According to CBS, the series will explore the psychological toll of Kayce’s mission to bring justice to Montana—a state still haunted by land disputes and violence.

Kayce is seen wrestling with personal demons, but Monica isn’t even mentioned. The teaser trailer shows Kayce wearing a wedding ring, raising more questions: Is he still married? Is he widowed? Or are they simply living separate lives?

No official cast announcement has confirmed Asbille’s return, and she has remained silent about her involvement—adding fuel to fan speculation.

What the Actors Have Said

Grimes has been vocal about how emotional it was to say goodbye to Kayce after Yellowstone wrapped in 2024. But once Y: Marshals was greenlit, he quickly embraced the chance to continue the story. What he hasn’t confirmed, however, is where Monica fits in.

“If Taylor [Sheridan] calls and it’s something he wants to do, we would absolutely say yes,” Grimes said in 2024, referring to the possibility of working with Asbille again.

Asbille, for her part, shared before the finale aired that she believed Monica and Kayce were “endgame.” She acknowledged that they had hurdles but saw hope in the couple’s fight to create a peaceful future for their son, Tate.

So if Monica and Kayce were truly endgame, why isn’t she part of this new chapter?

Theory 1: Offscreen Marriage, Onscreen Distance

One likely explanation is that Monica and Kayce are still married—but living apart due to his dangerous new role. The show may keep her offscreen in early episodes while focusing on Kayce’s reintroduction to the world of law enforcement.

If the show gains momentum, Monica could be written back in later seasons—either to complicate his mission or to rekindle the emotional core fans still crave.

Theory 2: A Tragic Twist?

Another possibility is that Monica has died, offscreen. The wedding ring might serve as a visual echo of a loss Kayce hasn’t yet processed. This would explain his darker tone and the weight of guilt hinted at in the trailer.

Such a reveal would devastate fans—but it would align with Sheridan’s trademark of brutal, emotional storytelling.

What’s Next for the Dutton Universe?

As Y: Marshals takes Kayce in a bold new direction, other Yellowstone spinoffs are also on the horizon. The Dutton Ranch will follow Rip and Beth, while 6666 focuses on the iconic Four Sixes Ranch. Prequel 1944 is still in development, likely launching after Sheridan’s deal with Paramount concludes in 2028.