Marshals Is Deposing Taylor Sheridan's Original Yellowstone Character In Season 2

CBS Published Nov 11, 2026, 12:15 PM EST Cher Thompson is a Senior Staff Writer at Screen Rant, where she covers everything from explosive reality TV moments to cast interviews about the twists and turns of scripted dramas. With a background in creative writing, marketing, and teaching, Cher knows how to spot both the storytelling genius and the guilty pleasures in pop culture. Her work blends wit with insight, making readers feel like they’re chatting with a friend who just happens to know way too much about TV. Sign in to your ScreenRant account While Yellowstone spent years developing the conflict between the Dutton family and Broken Rock Reservation, Marshals is approaching things differently, with the series currently teasing a potential shift in power. Throughout Yellowstone's run, Thomas Rainwater (Gil Birmingham) was positioned as an adversary to John Dutton (Kevin Costner), but his motivations surrounding the land Dutton Ranch sat on were clear. With hopes to reclaim the land that belonged to his people, Rainwater was someone who worked against the Duttons, but had personal motivations that viewers could understand throughout the run of the series. Even so, Rainwater wasn't always positioned as a villain. Instead, the series made it clear that Rainwater's perspective was different from the Dutton family, not lesser. When the original series culminated in the sale of the majority of Dutton Ranch to Broken Rock on the condition that it not be developed or sold, Yellowstone made it clear that the series was ironing out the longstanding plot, and keeping Rainwater at the heart of the story. As Marshals has continued, with Rainwater moving to the CBS spinoff along with Kayce Dutton (Luke Grimes), the story of Broken Rock has continued, albeit in a somewhat less nuanced way than in the original series. Even so, with Marshals keeping Broken Rock in the picture, Rainwater has remained a big part of the franchise's DNA. Marshals season 2 has been developing its Broken Rock plot, and with consequences landing on Rainwater's doorstep, the threat to his position within the Broken Rock community is more pressing than ever. Marshals Is Challenging Rainwater As Broken Rock Reservation's Leader Throughout the run of Yellowstone, Rainwater's position was defined by his determination to reclaim land that was rightfully owned by the people of Broken Rock. Spending much of his time on the original series fighting John Dutton and the rest of the family, Rainwater found himself at odds with the family's interests, which made him appear like an antagonist for the show as a whole. The relationship between Rainwater and the Dutton family did evolve eventually, and though things were in a better place during the series finale, the history of conflict between the Duttons and Rainwater has brought an interesting dynamic into Marshals. With the CBS spinoff series exploring Kayce's life after the transfer of the Dutton Ranch, there's somewhat less spotlight to shine on Broken Rock, but what does find itself gaining traction on Marshals is Rainwater's standing and leadership. Throughout the first episodes of Marshals season 2, the spinoff series has been exploring Rainwater's leadership after the victory of finally reclaiming Broken Rock. Having spent years acquiring the land, the people of Broken Rock are now questioning if Rainwater is the right fit to lead their community in these new circumstances, and have pushed back with increasing force throughout Marshals season 2. With the intensity of the fight against Rainwater growing more traction, Marshals is exploring a whole different side of the conflict. A meaningful departure from the way Rainwater's character functioned throughout Yellowstone's run, the push against Broken Rock's leader has been an intense shift. Can Shane Whitebear Actually Replace Rainwater In Marshals? CBS With the CBS series leaning into the conflict between Rainwater and his people, there have been contenders that have come out of the woodwork to potentially take on the challenge of leading Broken Rock in this new era. Shane Whitebear (Duke Davis Roberts) has been one of the names that's cut through the noise on Marshals as a potential challenger to Rainwater's leadership. With the series establishing that Shane plans to run against the chairman of Broken Rock, Marshals season 2 has found a formidable opponent for Rainwater as someone who feels like they're more aware of the people's needs, wants, and issues. The Sheridan-verse · Ranch Assessment Taylor Sheridan Trivia Challenge 🏠 Yellowstone Protect the ranch 🐴 1883 The Oregon Trail 🌾 1923 Drought & dust 🔒 Kingstown Prison politics 🎼 Tulsa King Made man, new town SADDLE UP → 01 The Dutton family has controlled the largest contiguous cattle ranch in the United States for over a century. In which state is the Yellowstone Dutton Ranch located? A Wyoming B Montana C Idaho D Colorado ✓ Correct! The Yellowstone Dutton Ranch sits near the border of Yellowstone National Park in Montana. The show is filmed primarily in Montana, with the real-life Chief Joseph Ranch in Darby serving as the Dutton homestead. ✗ Wrong trail, cowboy! The answer is Montana. The Dutton Ranch borders Yellowstone National Park in Big Sky Country. While the rugged landscape could pass for Wyoming or Idaho, the show is set — and largely filmed — in Montana. NEXT → 02 John Dutton is the iron-willed patriarch who will stop at nothing to protect his family’s land. Which Oscar-winning actor portrayed him for the first four seasons of Yellowstone? A Sam Elliott B Josh Brolin C Kevin Costner D Kurt Russell ✓ Correct! Kevin Costner brought gravitas and quiet intensity to John Dutton, anchoring Yellowstone as one of the most-watched shows on cable television. His departure ahead of Season 5B became one of the biggest stories in TV. ✗ Wrong trail, cowboy! The answer is Kevin Costner. While Sam Elliott did appear in 1883, Josh Brolin has his own Sheridan series (Outer Range isn’t Sheridan’s), and Kurt Russell hasn’t joined the Sheridan-verse. Costner defined John Dutton. NEXT → 03 In the prequel series 1883, a Civil War veteran leads his family on a brutal wagon-train journey from Texas to Montana to find a new home. What is the name of this original Dutton patriarch? A James Dutton B Jacob Dutton C John Dutton Sr. D Emmett Dutton ✓ Correct! James Dutton, played by Tim McGraw, is the Civil War veteran who leads his wife Margaret and their children on the perilous journey west. His daughter Elsa narrates the series, and the family’s arrival in Montana establishes the Yellowstone Ranch. ✗ Wrong trail, cowboy! The answer is James Dutton. Jacob Dutton is the character Harrison Ford plays in 1923 — James’s brother. John Dutton Sr. doesn’t appear until later generations, and Emmett Dutton doesn’t exist in the Sheridan-verse. NEXT → 04 On the Dutton Ranch, certain cowboys receive a permanent mark of loyalty — a hot-iron brand seared into their skin that signifies a blood oath to the ranch. What symbol is this feared brand? A A “D” inside a circle B A horseshoe C A skull and crossbones D The letter “Y” ✓ Correct! The branded “Y” is the Yellowstone Ranch’s livestock mark, but for ranch hands, wearing it on their chest means a lifelong oath of silence and loyalty. “Taking someone to the train station” is what happens to those who betray it. ✗ Wrong trail, cowboy! The answer is the letter “Y” — for Yellowstone. The brand is both a ranch identifier and a mark of absolute loyalty. Characters like Rip, Kayce, and Jimmy all bear the “Y” brand, signifying they’ve sworn their lives to the ranch. NEXT → 05 In 1923, the Dutton family battles drought, Prohibition, and encroaching modernity during the Great Depression era. Which legendary Hollywood actor plays patriarch Jacob Dutton? A Robert Redford B Harrison Ford C Clint Eastwood D Tommy Lee Jones ✓ Correct! Harrison Ford stars as Jacob Dutton alongside Helen Mirren as his wife Cara. Ford’s casting marked his first major television role and brought massive star power to the expanding Sheridan-verse. The series is set during Prohibition and the early Depression. ✗ Wrong trail, cowboy! The answer is Harrison Ford. In his first major TV role, Ford plays Jacob Dutton, brother of James Dutton from 1883. Helen Mirren stars opposite him as Cara Dutton. Their star power helped make 1923 Paramount+’s biggest premiere. NEXT → 06 Beth Dutton’s volatile love story with a tough ranch foreman is one of Yellowstone’s most beloved storylines. The two eventually marry in a surprise ceremony. Who is Beth’s husband? A Lloyd Pierce B Walker C Rip Wheeler D Jimmy Hurdstrom ✓ Correct! Rip Wheeler, played by Cole Hauser, is John Dutton’s most loyal enforcer and Beth’s husband. Taken in by John as a teenager after a traumatic past, Rip would do anything for the Dutton family — and his fierce devotion to Beth became a fan-favorite romance. ✗ Wrong trail, cowboy! The answer is Rip Wheeler. Lloyd Pierce is the bunkhouse elder, Walker is a ranch hand and musician, and Jimmy Hurdstrom is the hapless cowboy who eventually gets sent to the 6666 Ranch in Texas. Only Rip won Beth’s wild heart. NEXT → 07 In Mayor of Kingstown, a family serves as power brokers in a Michigan town where the prison industry is the only business. Which family navigates this dark world of incarceration and corruption? A The McLusky family B The Reilly family C The Kingsley family D The Dutton family ✓ Correct! The McLusky family, led by Mike McLusky (Jeremy Renner), acts as unofficial mediators between prisoners, gangs, police, and politicians in Kingstown, Michigan. The show is one of Sheridan’s grittiest explorations of the American justice system. ✗ Wrong trail, cowboy! The answer is the McLusky family. Jeremy Renner stars as Mike McLusky, who inherits the role of “mayor” — an unofficial power broker between inmates, gangs, and law enforcement. The Duttons are Yellowstone’s dynasty, not Kingstown’s. NEXT → 08 One Dutton sibling is an adopted son and ambitious lawyer who frequently clashes with his family — sometimes even conspiring against them. His complex loyalty drives much of the show’s drama. Who is he? A Kayce Dutton B Lee Dutton C Tate Dutton D Jamie Dutton ✓ Correct! Jamie Dutton, played by Wes Bentley, is the adopted son and Harvard-educated lawyer whose desperate need for his father’s approval and political ambition create some of Yellowstone’s most dramatic betrayals. His rivalry with Beth is legendary. ✗ Wrong trail, cowboy! The answer is Jamie Dutton. Kayce is John’s biological youngest son (a former Navy SEAL), Lee is the eldest son who dies in Season 1, and Tate is Kayce’s young son. Only Jamie is the adopted lawyer who conspires against the family. REVEAL MY SCORE → Round-Up Complete Your Ranch Record / 8 Are you a ranch foreman — or headed straight to the train station? ↻ RIDE AGAIN While Shane was only introduced during Marshals season 2 episode 3, "Falling Sky," the series saw him quickly enter the ring as one of Rainwater's most formidable opponents. His personal disagreement with how Rainwater dealt with issues surrounding Broken Rock, specifically the possibility of opening a cannabis farm on the reservation, led to deeper conversations about his potential for leadership. In the span of a few episodes, it became clear that Shane and Rainwater had come to an agreement, making it clear that Shane had some ability to argue his case with the current chairman and make valid points. Shane is definitely a credible challenger for Rainwater, even if his political career hasn't spanned decades like the chairman's. Though Shane hasn't established himself as a leader for Broken Rock yet, he's taking the chance to prove himself in everyday situations, which could make his threat even stronger to Rainwater's leadership. Why Rainwater Is Vital To Kayce's Marshals Story CBS While Shane poses a threat to Rainwater's leadership, it doesn't seem likely for Marshals to allow that threat to take over completely, if only because of Rainwater's connection to Yellowstone and Kayce specifically. The Rainwater story in Marshals season 2 may be independent of the Kayce story, but the two characters converge more than viewers may expect, and keeping both in the loop is tantamount to Marshals' success. The relationship between Kayce and Rainwater has been in development since Yellowstone, and knowing that Kayce currently lives on the only remaining piece of Dutton Ranch that the family was allowed to keep, their connection is still strong. The relationship between Kayce and Rainwater may be sparse, but it still matters for Marshals as a series. Keeping Kayce aligned with someone who also came from Yellowstone may not seem like an important element of the series, but for Marshals to function as a part of the greater Yellowstone universe, it has to retain some pieces of the original series. Rainwater has stepped in as somewhat of a surrogate parent for Kayce throughout the CBS show's run, and the connection the two share to the original series keeps the connection of the spinoff alive. With their relationship standing strong an important part of keeping Marshals' tether to Yellowstone alive, replacing Rainwater as the chairman of Broken Rock doesn't feel like the best move for the spinoff series. Instead, allowing Rainwater to shift his perspective and regain favor with his people would allow for a strong story that doesn't rattle Marshals at its foundation. Release Date 2026 - 2026-00-00 Network CBS Showrunner Spencer Hudnut Directors Christopher Chulack, Greg Yaitanes, Gonzalo Amat, John Erick Dowdle, Guy Ferland, Ruben Garcia, Darren Grant Writers Spencer Hudnut, Maggie Schroeder, Lyle Mitchell Corbine Jr., Jim Adler, Dana Greenblatt, Tom Mularz Creator(s) Spencer Hudnut