There’s no one better suited to the expanded Sheridanverse than Marshals Star Ash Santos. “I live in Utah where parts of Yellowstone “It was filmed, and I remember a lot of buzz around the production. I just fell in love with the show,” Santos said. When Santos first heard about a spinoff centered around Kayce Dutton (Luke Grimes), she thought it was a “smart” idea, especially considering the involvement of franchise vets Jill Birmingham, Mo Brings Plenty, and Brecken Merrill. Fortunately for her (and fans everywhere), Santos’ role in the series was fateful.
“I auditioned for another Taylor Sheridan movie before I found out I was auditioning for this one,” Santos said. “While I was actively recording my audition Marshals In Los Angeles, I got a message from my team saying I didn’t get this movie, which was too bad. Down but not out, Santos got the chance to have his screen test Marshals A few weeks later and she landed the role of Andrea Cruz, a tough-talking U.S. Marshal and Bronx native. Due to a mysterious incident — which the series will no doubt explore in future episodes — Cruz is transferred from her DC unit to Pete “Cal” Calvin’s (Logan Marshall-Green) team in Montana.
Santos, a Bronx native who actually lives in Utah — where the series was primarily filmed — says she “really understood” Cruz, even though she “didn’t have all of her layers yet.” With her father in law enforcement, Santos knew she “had the foundation and could bring authenticity [Cruz] That someone else can’t.” She also had the full support of Marshals Creator Spencer Hudnot encouraged conversation and questions about her character. “This is the first experience I’ve had with a series producer who has been truly collaborative,” Santos said warmly. “He is deeply invested in making sure this show resonates with its target audience.”
Santos spoke with Decider via Zoom to discuss the CBS show, talked about her amazing co-stars, and asked where Cruise’s journey will take her over the course of the season.
Rapporteur: We have to start with the obvious: were you a big fan of? Yellowstone Before the marshal comes your way? I know you’ve done a mission Mayor of Kingstown…
Ash Santos: Yes. I was already a fan of Taylor Sheridan after seeing it Hired killer and Hell or high water. I live in utah where parts of Yellowstone It was filmed, and I remember a lot of buzz around the production. I just fell in love with the show. When testing for MarshallI passed, I was thrilled. I had no idea they were doing a spinoff centered around Kayce’s character. I thought he was very smart.
It is not unusual to be a part of shows that have large audiences e.g American Horror Story. Was it scary entering into such an established world? Yellowstone?
It was scary, especially with Monica gone. When I found out, I was like, “Oh, this might piss off some fans. It might turn some fans off.” I hope that doesn’t happen [laughs]! There’s a lot of pressure because Yellowstone It is an important show for many people. Plus, Kayce is a likable character.
your Yellowstone Fans, it’s so great to see Luke, Gil, and Mo revisiting their iconic roles from the series. Did they give you any advice about entering the wider universe?
They were so sweet. She also brings a lot of humor to the group as well. They never tire of sharing their experiences or talking about specific scenes from them Yellowstone. Gil, in particular, because he’s a great storyteller. You might think that just because they’ve played these characters for so long, they would hate seeing this new actor a little bit. Instead, they were very welcoming. They made it feel like we were coming home for something too.
What was the testing process like?
The testing process was chaotic [laughs]. I had auditioned for another Taylor Sheridan movie before I found out I was auditioning for this one. While I was actively recording my test Marshals In Los Angeles, I got a message from my team saying I didn’t get this movie, which was bad. I feel like, I just started crying. I couldn’t help him! So, I had to end my strip with a puffy face and no makeup.
My team sent my tape with a disclaimer. They were like, “Listen, I found out she didn’t get the movie while she was recording, so please don’t bother with her face.” [Laughs} A few weeks later, I found out they liked the tape and wanted to do a screen test in Dallas—the same place that I tested for the film role that I didn’t get. My initial flight from Salt Lake City was canceled, and I arrived an hour late to the screen test.
The girls I was testing against had flown in the night before, and they’d gotten good sleep. I did not sleep at all, and I had my luggage with me. I was so flustered, but it all worked out. They saw something I didn’t see when I walked in the room, and thank God, because I forgot all my lines. Everything left my head, I just was like, “I’m sorry, I need a moment. This is just too much.” But it worked out in my favor.
Like you, Cruz is from the Bronx. What drew you to the role of Andrea Cruz?
When I got the audition, I was like, “so this is me.” I’m from the Bronx, but already live in Utah. My father was in law enforcement. I felt like I already understood who the character was, even though I didn’t have all the layers of her yet. I had the foundation and could bring an authenticity to her that someone else couldn’t.
The very capable Spencer Hudnut is the show runner for Marshals. Was he available to you for questions?
He was always available. He met with us so many times before we started shooting. He wanted us to feel comfortable. He gave us his personal cell so we could call him with any questions. This show really is his baby, and I felt so comfortable going to him. There are certain things that came up during the season where I was like, “you want me to do what?” And then he was like, “trust me because later on, this is going to happen.” I’m like, “okay, I trust you.” This is the first experience I’ve had with a showrunner that was truly collaborative. He’s deeply invested in making sure that this show resonates with its intended audience.
Did you know Cruz’s trajectory for the season in advance?
After I booked the role, Spencer let me sit down in his office and ask any questions I had about her arc. That’s where I learned very juicy things that will unravel over time. There’s a lot to sink my teeth into here. I just love her.
I love the dynamic between Cruz, Calvin, Kittle and Skinner. What was it like building that team bond with your co-stars?
It was so fun. Arielle [Kebbell] And I tested together in Dallas. Our chemistry was so natural. It’s very easy to live with. At the beginning of the season, our characters weren’t particularly compatible, which was the exact opposite of real life.
When Tatanka [Means] When he joined us, he was the final piece to the puzzle that made everything else make sense. Cruz knows the job from D.C., but he’s in a new place. Logan Cale’s character is very serious. Ariel’s character, Belle, has this past that she’s running away from. Next, Tatanka comes in as Miles who is completely new to this world. It’s just a fun mix of characters. Everyone brings something very different to the table. When we’re not filming, we have a lot of fun together. We laugh, share TikToks, and talk about it Real Housewives.
In addition to speaking bravo, I heard that you have to do some tactical training for the marshal. How was that experience?
This was my favorite part of the show because I love riding horses and doing physical things. We were trained by a former Marine who worked there Seal team With Spencer. We were trained on how to carry weapons. Show us how to stop as a team; How to hack the entrance. This all has to be accurate because some people – some great people – actually do this for a living. It was a challenge, but it was a fun challenge.
One of my favorite moments between Cruise and Casey in the pilot is when he asks her if she needs a push to be able to ride her horse, and she tells him “that will be the last thing she does.” How will she manage here in Montana?
Oh, you’d be surprised how much she likes Montana. I guess she didn’t expect it either.
We know that something happened in her past in DC that led to her being transported west. Will we ever learn how this accident happened?
Yes, you will learn. You will trust one person in particular when you decide to share that experience, and it is a truly beautiful moment between the two.
What can you tease about the rest of Cruise’s journey this season?
The risks are high for her. Cruise’s journey will take some truly unexpected turns. She will surprise you with the way she responds to her.
We know why the Marshal needs Casey, but why does Casey need the Marshal?
He has just lost his wife, and is a single father of a teenage boy. Grief is a difficult thing to deal with alone. You are looking for purpose again. Once you find it, you become more open to letting people who can be there for you. He knew the camaraderie in the military, but he’s rediscovering that with his fellow marshals. They make a strong team and support each other. This is very powerful because suddenly Cayce is no longer alone. No matter what Casey is going through, people will show up for him. He quickly learns that he can really count on us.
Marshals It airs Sunday nights at 8pm ET/PT on CBS