Luke Grimes has not spoken with Kevin Costner since their time on Yellowstone ended, and he does not expect Costner to return as John Dutton on the spinoff Marshals.
Grimes shared his thoughts during USA TODAY coverage of Marshals Season 2.
The two actors worked together for four seasons of Yellowstone, with Costner playing patriarch John Dutton and Grimes portraying his youngest son, Kayce Dutton.
According to Fox News, their professional relationship did not continue after Costner left the series.
Grimes attributed the lack of contact to their separate schedules rather than any personal dispute.
"I haven't talked to Kevin since we stopped working together. Not for any reason other than we're busy guys and life moves on," Grimes said.
He acknowledged that seeing Costner return would be appealing, but he does not expect it to happen on Marshals.
"I think it would be cool," Grimes said.
He also expressed doubt that a reunion would materialize, according to the interview cited by Fox News.
"I doubt that will happen at this point," Grimes said.
Grimes said that if Marshals revisited Kayce's past through a flashback, he would prefer a scene involving Monica, Kayce's late wife, rather than John.
"If there was a flashback, I'd probably rather it be with Monica than John.
I think that would be more poignant to the character, but we'll see," Grimes said.
USA TODAY reported that Kayce's relationship with John has gained added significance in Marshals as Kayce raises his son Tate after Monica's death.
The second season explores Kayce's concern that his conflicts with Tate could repeat the pattern he experienced with John.
"The last thing [Kayce] wants is to become is his father, but he's definitely noticing a pattern.
Kayce and John butted heads a lot, and now Kayce and Tate are sort of butting heads.
A lot of what happens this season is [Kayce] trying to fix that and nip that in the bud before it becomes exactly like his relationship with his father," Grimes said.
Season 2 also features Kayce's visits to John Dutton's grave at East Camp, after the character was killed in Yellowstone's 2024 final season.
Costner's departure followed a dispute involving scheduling, production delays and his work on Horizon: An American Saga, according to Fox News.
Taylor Sheridan later addressed Costner's departure on The Bill Simmons Podcast, saying Costner had originally agreed to play John Dutton for three seasons before remaining with the series after its success.
Marshals continues Kayce's story after he leaves the ranch and joins an elite U. S.
Marshals unit in Montana.
CBS renewed the series for a second season, and Collider reported that the new season had begun after its premiere.
Andrea "Dre" Cruz, played by Ash Santos, remains part of Kayce's team despite a Season 1 cliffhanger.
Santos said the characters' relationship is developing through friendship.
"They're definitely building a really great connection and friendship right now," Santos said.
Kayce's personal life remains unsettled after Monica's death and the failed relationship involving Dolly Weaver in Season 1.
Santos also said Cruz and Kayce will travel to New York City later in the season.
Costner has therefore not been confirmed for a Marshals appearance, while Grimes continues to lead the Yellowstone spinoff as Kayce Dutton.
