The Yellowstone universe continues to expand, and Marshals is taking its characters into some interesting territory for its second season. At PaleyFest NY, I had the opportunity to speak with Ash Santos, Gil Birmingham, and executive producer Spencer Hudnut about what’s ahead, including familiar faces returning to the franchise, unresolved trauma, and the complicated relationships that continue to define these characters.
What I found particularly interesting about these conversations was how much of the upcoming season appears to revolve around the consequences of the past. Whether it’s Andrea confronting experiences she hasn’t fully processed, Kayce Dutton trying to guide his son toward a better future, or Thomas Rainwater facing new challenges within the reservation, the emotional stakes are just as important as the action.
Ash Santos on Andrea’s Loyalty, Vulnerability, and Emotional Transformation
One of the first questions I had for Ash Santos concerned Andrea and her decision to remain in Montana rather than return to Washington, D.C. After everything she experienced during the first season, what made her realize that she had found somewhere she truly belonged?
According to Santos, it was the aftermath of Andrea’s kidnapping that changed everything.
“For her, I think it was after they rescued her from the kidnapping, the way that they all came and fought for her, she felt so loved and deeply supported,” Santos explained.
That sense of loyalty was something Andrea hadn’t experienced in quite the same way with her previous team in Washington. The connection she developed with her new colleagues became something she simply couldn’t walk away from.
Naturally, I also suggested that Kayce might have something to do with her decision.
Santos wasn’t giving anything away, responding playfully, “You never know. You never know. You never know.”
But the bigger revelation came when our conversation shifted toward Andrea’s second-season storyline. Santos explained that audiences will see an almost completely different side of the character.
“In season two we honestly find Andrea almost the opposite of how we met her in season one. She does a complete one eighty,” she revealed.
That transformation is connected to experiences Andrea hasn’t fully processed, including issues involving her father. Santos credited Spencer Hudnut with giving her the opportunity to explore the character’s emotional complexity.
What made this portion of our conversation especially meaningful was our discussion about representation. As people of color, we talked about how important it is to see characters who are allowed to be more than simply strong, outspoken, or resilient.
Santos expressed how much she appreciates being able to explore Andrea’s softer side.
“The complexity of her vulnerability and her softness and, you know, what makes her cry when she’s alone at night. I love exploring that because it just makes her feel so real and so human.”
Spencer Hudnut on Jefferson White’s Return and the Consequences of Violence
My conversation with executive producer Spencer Hudnut began with one of the exciting developments for fans of the larger Yellowstone universe: the return of Jefferson White as Jimmy.
Having participated in the CBS virtual panel where the news was announced, I wanted to know how the creative team managed to bring another familiar character into Marshals.
As Hudnut explained, the idea came together rather naturally.
“Really started with a conversation with Luke, and he was just like, ‘What if we tried to get him back into the show?'”
Luke Grimes reached out to White, who was enthusiastic about returning.
Beyond the excitement of seeing Jimmy again, Hudnut explained that the character provides an important connection to Kayce’s past. Jimmy understands aspects of Kayce’s life that his new teammates don’t, particularly when it comes to John Dutton.
I also wanted to discuss Tate, whose experiences have become increasingly traumatic. Between the violent confrontation at the ranch and his kidnapping, I was curious about how those events would shape his decisions moving forward.
Hudnut confirmed that those experiences will have consequences later in the season. More importantly, they force Kayce to confront how much trauma his son has already endured.
As Tate approaches graduation and adulthood, Kayce realizes that his opportunity to guide his son is becoming increasingly limited. He wants Tate to have a future that doesn’t repeat the painful experiences of his own life. That father-son relationship could become one of the more emotionally compelling elements of the season.
I then brought up my conversation with Ash Santos, particularly her comments about Andrea’s vulnerability and the emotional transformation ahead for her character.
Hudnut explained that exploring those consequences is central to the show’s creative direction.
“What we wanna do in this show is obviously entertain but also explore the consequences of what they do.”
He also revealed that Andrea’s storyline is connected to events from the first season. As she struggles with experiences from her past, she must decide whether to keep those feelings hidden or trust someone enough to help her work through them.
Gil Birmingham on ‘X-Men ’97,’ Thomas Rainwater, and New Conflicts
Now, anyone who knows me knows that I’ve been an X-Men fan for practically my entire life. So when I had the opportunity to speak with Gil Birmingham, there was absolutely no way I was letting him leave without asking about his portrayal of Forge in X-Men ’97.
I particularly loved the storyline involving Forge and Storm, which explored Storm’s journey toward rediscovering herself after losing her powers.
What I didn’t expect was Birmingham’s revelation about the role.
“You know actually it’s my first romance, my career. And wouldn’t it happen to be an animation, right?”
Birmingham explained that he has often portrayed characters who provide wisdom, guidance, or a sense of direction for others. He appreciated the opportunity to explore something different through Forge, even if the romantic storyline happened to be animated.
After our brief detour into the Marvel universe, we returned to Thomas Rainwater and his continuing relationship with Kayce Dutton.
One of the things I wanted to explore was the loyalty between these two men, particularly after everything that happened throughout Yellowstone.
Birmingham offered an interesting perspective, comparing Kayce’s military service with Rainwater’s commitment to defending his people’s land.
“As a Navy SEAL, he was actually carrying on a fight of his own for our country. And that’s basically what Rainwater’s doing, it’s for his land. They’re both warriors that way.”
We also discussed the extraordinary longevity of the Yellowstone universe, which began in 2018 and has continued expanding through additional series and characters.
Birmingham credited creator Taylor Sheridan’s writing for the franchise’s enduring success.
“As we always say, if it’s not on the page, it’s not on the stage.”
But perhaps the most intriguing revelation came when I asked what audiences could expect from Rainwater during the second season.
According to Birmingham, the nature of the conflict is beginning to change.
While much of Rainwater’s previous struggles involved outside forces threatening the reservation, the new season will explore tensions developing within the community itself.
“We’re gonna get to explore some forces inside the reservation. You know, some intercommunity conflict and differences.”
For a character who has spent so much time defending his community against outside interests, navigating disagreements within that same community presents an entirely different challenge.
The Past Never Really Stays in the Past
After speaking with Santos, Hudnut, and Birmingham, one theme continued to stand out to me: the past has a way of shaping the choices we make in the present.
Andrea is learning how to confront experiences she hasn’t fully processed. Kayce is recognizing the responsibility he has to help Tate avoid repeating his mistakes. Rainwater is facing a new kind of battle, one that could challenge the very community he has dedicated himself to protecting.
And with Jimmy returning, another familiar connection to the original Yellowstone series is entering the picture.
Watch my complete red carpet compilation featuring Ash Santos, Gil Birmingham, and Spencer Hudnut, exclusively on The Buzz – BuzzWorthy Radio!
Marshals airs Sundays at 8/7c on CBS, streaming next day on Paramount+.
