Marshals' Monica memorial also honored late '1923' actor Cole Brings Plenty

The show's tribute scene carried added meaning as a real-life ceremony for the late actor, whose family was involved in the production.

Apr. 6, 2026 at 5:06pm

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An abstract close-up photograph of shattered glass in dramatic, high-contrast lighting, conceptually representing the blurred boundaries between the Yellowstone TV universe and real life.The Marshals production's tribute to the late actor Cole Brings Plenty reflects the profound impact of his passing on the Yellowstone community.Lawrence Today

The moving memorial scene depicted in the latest episode of the Yellowstone spinoff Marshals also served as a real-life ceremony for late 1923 star Cole Brings Plenty, who died in 2024 at the age of 27. Series star Arielle Kebbel revealed that the production brought in Brings Plenty's family, including his uncle Mo Brings Plenty who reprises his Yellowstone role, to honor the late actor during filming.

Why it matters

Cole Brings Plenty's death at a young age was a tragic loss for the Yellowstone universe and the entertainment community. The decision to incorporate a real memorial for him into the Marshals episode highlights the blurred lines between art and life, and the way the show's cast and crew sought to pay tribute to a beloved colleague.

The details

In the latest episode of Marshals, Kayce Dutton (Luke Grimes) returns to the Broken Rock reservation to honor his late wife, Monica (Kelsey Asbille), on the one-year anniversary of her death. Kebbel revealed that the memorial scene also functioned as a tribute to Cole Brings Plenty, who played Pete Plenty Clouds on the Yellowstone prequel series 1923. Brings Plenty's uncle, Mo Brings Plenty, who reprises his Yellowstone role in Marshals, brought his family to participate in the filming of the ceremony.

  • Cole Brings Plenty was found dead in April 2024, days after he was reported missing and identified as a suspect in an alleged domestic violence case.
  • The memorial scene for Monica in Marshals was filmed in 2026.

The players

Cole Brings Plenty

A 27-year-old actor who played Pete Plenty Clouds on the Yellowstone prequel series 1923. His death in 2024 was a tragic loss for the Yellowstone universe and the entertainment community.

Mo Brings Plenty

Cole Brings Plenty's uncle, who reprises his Yellowstone role in the Marshals spinoff series. He brought his family to participate in the filming of the memorial scene that also honored his late nephew.

Arielle Kebbel

The Marshals series star who revealed the added meaning behind the memorial scene, which she described as an emotional and impactful experience.

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What they’re saying

“We filmed the ceremony, and Mo Brings Plenty brought his family to it, and it was a way of honoring his nephew. I will remember that day for as long as I live. It was very emotional... And it was a real reminder that the lines between art and life are very blurred and very powerful.”

— Arielle Kebbel, Marshals series star

“For his murder to go uninvestigated, and for it to be written off as 'no foul play,' because they didn't want to invest anything into it? It's heartbreaking. Because we're taxpaying people as well. So for them to not work for us, no different than how they work for anyone else is pretty sad.”

— Mo Brings Plenty, Yellowstone and Marshals actor

What’s next

The Lawrence Police Department and the Johnson County Sheriff's Office have issued separate statements addressing the investigation into Cole Brings Plenty's death, with the family petitioning the court to seal the autopsy and case files.

The takeaway

The incorporation of a real-life memorial for Cole Brings Plenty into the Marshals episode highlights the deep impact his passing had on the Yellowstone community, and the show's efforts to honor a beloved colleague through their storytelling.