‘Marshals’ Star Logan Marshall-Green Didn’t Know What Going To The “Train Station” Would Mean For ‘Yellowstone’ Fans: “It Went Over My Head”

Where to Stream: Marshals Powered by Reelgood Hard to believe, but Logan Marshall-Green had no knowledge of Yellowstone prior to signing on to star in the CBS spin-off series, Marshals. Marshall-Green plays U.S Marshal Pete “Cal” Calvin, an old war buddy of Kayce Dutton (Luke Grimes), who recruits the recent widower to join his Montana unit. While Marshall-Green did watch the Yellowstone pilot to “get a sense of just what the series is, cinematically and dramaturgically,” he didn’t continue after learning about Cal’s and Kayce’s dynamic. “[Cal] doesn’t know much of anything about [Kayce’s] life in Montana or about his family,” explained Marshall-Green. “I wanted it to feel as organic as possible for me when my character is asking questions about his past.” “As a brother in war, Cal knows Kayce needs purpose,” said Marshall-Green. However, Cal has an agenda beyond the youngest Dutton. “He didn’t just come to Montana to reunite with Kayce,” said Marshall-Green. “When you learn who Cal is and what his agenda is, the reason that he came to Montana will become very clear.” As an outsider, Cal has surrounded himself with a team of “operators” to carry out their assignments. “Cal is a leader, but he knows his own strengths and weaknesses,” said Marshall-Green. While Cal puts the job first, Marshall-Green pointed out that “Cal also a motivation that is not necessarily that of a noble soldier.” Cal’s and Kayce’s past experiences in war will bubble up to the surface while they are out on the job in the “Zone of Death,” better known as the “Train Station” to Yellowstone fans. “You will see the trauma Cal and Kayce experienced together on the SEAL team and in Afghanistan,” said Marshall-Green. In Episode 2, Kayce brings up a mysterious “Roner,” which rattles Cal who then lets Kayce go rogue. “What Cal knows about Roner, Kayce actually doesn’t,” teased Marshall-Green. “That will cause tension later on.” Marshall-Green hopped on a Zoom with Decider to talk about the new series, tease Cal’s past and current agenda, and share his shock once he learned what the “Train Station” meant in the world of Yellowstone. DECIDER: I’m just blown away by the care and attention to details Marshals shows regarding the world of Yellowstone. Were you a fan of the series before signing on? LOGAN MARSHALL-GREEN: No, I hadn’t seen it, but I was a fan of Taylor Sheridan’s previous work. I did watch the Yellowstone pilot to get a sense of just what the series is, cinematically and dramaturgically. Then, about a week and a half later, I was filming Marshals. Once I was realized who Cal was in relation to Kayce, it was actually important for me to not watch any more of Yellowstone. Cal is an important part of Kayce’s past, but he doesn’t know much of anything about Kayce’s life in Montana or about his family. I wanted it to feel as organic on as possible for me when my character is asking Kayce questions about his past in Montana. So, you had no idea about the “Train Station” that was featured in Episode 2? Well, with the train station—I don’t remember if it was the character or me—but I remember asking: “What is the Train Station?” “Why a train station?” I didn’t get it. It went over my head. Once I understood the meaning and power behind that term and why it was being used, I was very happy to be ignorant. Sonja Flemming/CBS It makes sense that Cal wouldn’t be aware of everything that has happened to Kayce post-SEAL team because he’s been dealing with demons of his own. A lot of these guys keep tabs on each other after they leave. The SEAL teams form an incredibly tight brotherhood. Cal really has no understanding of what Kayce’s life was on the Yellowstone ranch, but he’s very aware of the events going on in Kayce’s life in the past couple of years, most importantly Monica’s death. Cal knows Kayce needs purpose. Cal is motivated to get Kayce out of the house so that he doesn’t become another casualty. As a former SEAL team member, Calvin is the only person—besides Tate—who could have gotten Kayce to leave East Camp. Did you and Luke have a conversation with Spencer about their past? We did. It’s a conversation that had to be had because you’ll see—as the season goes on— this this not just your average procedural. It’s not a linear story. You will see the trauma Cal and Kayce experienced together on the SEAL team and in Afghanistan which divides them in some ways. The man that Cal recruited as a Marshal might not be the man he thought he knew. I love that Cal refers to his team as a “modern day posse” because that’s what they are! It was interesting that he recruited Belle and Cruz first. What qualities does Cal looked for in his team members? Cal is a leader, but he knows his own strengths and weaknesses. He’s a Luddite, so he needs someone who understands and can work technology. That’s why he needs Cruz (played by Ash Santos). He needs someone who can slip easily in and out of situations. Someone who is comfortable putting up a mask. Belle (played by Arielle Kebbel) is perfect because she’s always wearing different masks in her personal and professional lives. He needs somebody who represents the people that they are fighting for, so that’s why he recruits Miles (played by Tatanka Means). Last of all, he needs someone who can serve as the tip of the spear. There’s nobody better for that than Kayce. But, Cal didn’t just come to Montana to create a posse or to reunite with Kayce. Kayce was an afterthought in many ways. When you learn who Cal is and what his agenda is, the reason that he came to Montana will become very clear. At the end of the premiere episode, Cal says to Kayce: “You realize this is the antidote. Helping others and finding new purpose is how you wash the stains of war away.” I think there is something very noble in Cal’s mission in Montana. He absolutely is trying to fix the wrongs committed in the war that he and Kayce have been through. You’ll learn more about that purpose through a character you’ll meet later in the series. However, Cal also a motivation that is not necessarily that of a noble soldier. That incentive has nothing to do with the Marshals or his past with the SEAL team. That’s all I can tell you [laughs]. I nearly screamed when I realized that Episode 2 was going to go to the Train Station, aka the Zone of Death. I know you didn’t watch Yellowstone yourself, but what was your reaction when you eventually learned what this place means in the mythos of the flagship show? I was a little shocked, but I could not reveal that shock in Episode 2. Eventually you see Cal learn what the “zone of death” means historically to Kayce and why Kayce got the yips there. Maybe his view of who Kayce is will change. Maybe it won’t. Sonja Flemming/CBS During the mission, Kayce brings up Roner, which rattles Cal a bit. Do you know what happened with Roner? What can you tease about the incident? I know everything that happened with Roner. In fact, what Cal knows about Roner, Kayce actually doesn’t know. That will cause tension later. A character from Cal’s and Kayce’s past who comes back into our lives also knew Roner. Everything changes from there. That’s the part of the show that will move away from a linear procedural to much more of a character driven narrative. Cal has a soft spot for Belle when it comes to her family. After her family drops by to see her, he tells her: “If my family could have stopped by when I was deployed, I might still have one.” How has the loss of his family affected Cal? Deeply. Cal is trying to right those wrongs as well. When you find out what happened, you’ll understand that’s his real love story in many ways. It’s surprising that Cruz goes behind Cal’s back and intentionally undermines him in front of his boss, U.S Marshal Gifford. Why doesn’t Cal assert his authority and admonish her? That’s why he recruited her. She’s got cojones. Cal is not perfect. He refuses to be limited to an administrative role, and that’s why I like him. Even in his office, it still feels like he’s an operator, which is why he wants operators around him. On a SEAL team, no one person is the leader. Everyone’s a leader. Cal understands that and respects that idea. That’s why he could not criticize her for what she did. Will there be tension between Cal and Cruz going forward? Yeah, definitely. Definitely. Who really is the team leader or who should be the team leader might be questions by the end of the season. I couldn’t help but notice that Cal seems to have pretty good rapport with Maddie (played by Morgan Lindholm) at the Bullet n’ Barrel. What can you tease about their dynamic? Cal’s looking for love. That’s something we all need. Will Maddie eventually give him the time of day? Mmm…you’ll have to keep watching to find out. Marshals airs Sunday nights at 8PM ET/PT on CBS

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