‘Marshals’: Kayce’s Son Looks for Signs from Monica as the Father-Son Duo Continue to Mourn Her Death (Exclusive)

The emotional journey of Kayce and his son Tate continues to unfold in the latest episode of CBS’s spinoff series, Marshals. Following the heartbreaking revelation that Monica Dutton, portrayed by Kelsey Asbille, has passed away from cancer, viewers are left to witness the profound impact of her absence on the father-son duo.

In an exclusive clip shared by PEOPLE from the upcoming March 29 episode, we see a touching moment between Kayce, played by Luke Grimes, and his son Tate, played by Brecken Merrill. The clip reveals Tate rummaging through Monica’s belongings, searching for something meaningful to read at her memorial. Kayce, now a U.S. Marshal, informs Tate that his priority will be finding a missing girl named Haley, which leads to a poignant exchange about their late mother.

“Wait, what? So she is missing?” Tate asks, clearly anxious about the situation. Kayce reassures him, promising, “We’re gonna bring her home.” Tate interprets this search as a sign from his mother, suggesting that their quest to find Haley is somehow connected to Monica’s spirit. “Almost like mom’s trying to save her from above,” he reflects, adding that if Kayce can’t attend the ceremony, rescuing Haley would be the best tribute to Monica.

The premiere episode of Marshals stirred discussions about Asbille’s role, as many wondered if she would return. The storyline confirmed her character’s tragic fate, leaving Grimes feeling “heartbroken” about the loss. He expressed his deep friendship with Asbille, noting, “Kelsey’s become one of my best friends. She’s the coolest actor I’ve ever worked with.”

Grimes shared the emotional challenge he faced in informing Asbille about the spinoff plans, but their conversation reportedly went well, with Asbille handling the news with grace.

According to series creator Spencer Hudnut, Monica’s death serves a larger narrative purpose, aiming to highlight serious issues related to health disparities in reservations, where cancer rates are alarmingly high due to environmental factors. “We wanted to be very respectful of that character,” he stated, emphasizing the importance of addressing these critical themes through the storyline.

Marshals airs every Sunday at 8 p.m. ET on CBS, and as the story unfolds, fans are left wondering how Kayce and Tate will navigate their grief while facing new challenges. What other surprises lie ahead for this father-son duo?