Why Yellowstone's Kayce Is Luke Grimes' Favorite Character He's Ever Played

Yellowstone Kayce Dutton Luke Grimes Paramount Network
(Image credit: Paramount Network)

As loyal viewers of the hit series Yellowstone know, Luke Grimes portrays Kayce Dutton, the son of Kevin Costner’s fearsome patriarch John. Grimes has played Kayce ever since the drama began, and it turns out the brooding protagonist holds a special place in his heart. Kayce is Grimes’ favorite character across his entire career!

Discussing his intriguing role in Yellowstone, Luke Grimes did not hold back in exalting his character. Grimes did not go into great detail about Kayce's personality or other character elements, but rather gave deeper insight into the other aspects of Yellowstone that make the role his favorite. Grimes said:

This is my favorite character I've ever played, and my favorite world as far as a story I've ever been a part of. And just starting there, it's an incredible experience. And then add on top of that, is that all these other really dedicated actors... no one's phoning it in, no one's showing up to get paid. Everybody really cares about what they're doing, and it's just really nice. It's an inspiring environment, and hopefully I can continue to work with people like this.

As a viewer, I think the entire cast’s dedication always comes across. There is not a single episode where their performances are not top drawer. That aspect, combined with what Kevin Costner has said regarding the show’s appeal, only adds to its value. (No wonder Luke Grimes’ co-star, Cole Hauser, also ended up deciding to join Yellowstone.)

Based on what Luke Grimes told Pop Culture, it does not sound like Yellowstone will have any trouble convincing the actor to stick around for however long the series lasts. That's great news for fans who are excited to see more of Rip and Kayce’s relationship, which sometimes sees them butting heads.

What is Grimes’ favorite thing about filming Yellowstone? Grimes explained, saying:

Some of my favorite things about the show are those days when I just know that it's going to be me, and a bunch of the bunkhouse guys, and Kevin [Costner], and Cole [Hauser], are all on horseback together all day long, running around chasing cows or doing whatever. I mean, those are some of the most like, I mean, it's just so dreamy, right? It's like when you're young and you want to do this for a living, you hope it's going to be like that.

He would know! Based on what gets shown on Yellowstone, there is a lot of time for Luke Grimes to film those kinds of scenes. At least, in the show’s first two seasons. Filming on Season 3 ended with a hopeful sign for Grimes’ co-star, Kelly Reilly, who plays sister, Beth. She shares a better relationship with Kayce than their brother does.

Yellowstone's Kayce getting named as Luke Grimes’ favorite character is significant acclaim, considering he has had a lot of projects to choose from. The actor counts numerous film roles to his name before he landed on Yellowstone, including in the Fifty Shades of Grey franchise. Luke Grimes played Christian Grey’s brother, Elliot. He also dabbled in television before Yellowstone, starring on ABC’s family drama Brothers & Sisters and on HBO’s vampire series, True Blood.

For a bit of trivia, Luke Grimes’ time on Brothers & Sisters connects to Yellowstone. On the ABC series, Grimes’ character, Ryan Lafferty, was the brother of Dave Annable’s Justin Walker.  On the Paramount Network drama, Annable played Kayce’s brother, Lee Dutton. So Grimes and Annable have played brothers on two different shows. On television, all roads tend to connect in some way, and we can all be thankful that Grimes’ and many others' acting journeys led them to Yellowstone.

A premiere date for Yellowstone Season 3 has not gotten set yet by Paramount Network. While you anxiously await Kayce's return, you can check out this winter’s premieres.

Britt Lawrence

Like a contented Hallmark movie character, Britt happily lives in the same city she grew up in. Along with movies and television, she is passionate about competitive figure skating. She has been writing about entertainment for 5 years, and as you may suspect, still finds it as entertaining to do as when she began.