Mo Brings Plenty brings a painful chapter of his own life to "Marshals" on Nov. 15 (8 p.m. ET/PT) – the death of his nephew, actor Cole Brings Plenty.
Cole Brings Plenty, who portrayed Pete Plenty Clouds in the "Yellowstone" prequel, "1923," was found dead in a wooded area in Johnson County, Kansas, on April 5, 2024. He was 27.
"Cole's my nephew, but he's also like a son to me, too," Mo Brings Plenty tells USA TODAY. "I'm sure the pain will never go away."
The death has inspired the main storyline in the Nov. 15 "Marshals" episode, "Roughstock," in which Brings Plenty's character, Mo, turns to U.S. Marshal Kayce Dutton (Luke Grimes) for help finding his missing nephew Troy (Will Strongheart). When the young man's body is discovered, Kayce fights
to keep authorities from dismissing the death as a suicide and continuing with the investigation.
For Brings Plenty, who serves as the Native American cultural consultant on Taylor Sheridan's "Yellowstone" franchise, bringing the painful storyline to TV is an opportunity to honor his nephew while drawing attention to the struggles of Indigenous families seeking justice.
"Anytime I have the opportunity to share (Cole's) story, it's always gonna be the right time," he says. "We continue to honor him and his legacy but also to bring a light to an issue that pertains [to] many families throughout Indian Country – no matter what tribe."
'Marshals' previously honored Cole Brings Plenty in emotional ceremony
The CBS series previously paid tribute to Cole during the April 5 episode, "Out of the Shadows," which featured a remembrance ceremony for Monica Dutton (Kelsey Asbille), Kayce's late wife.
Brings Plenty brought his brother, Joseph "Joe" Brings Plenty Sr., Cole's father and other family members to participate in the ceremony, which doubled as a personal memorial for his nephew. The episode aired on the second anniversary of Cole's death.
"My brother's a warrior, and so he's strong, but I know what this had done to him," Brings Plenty says.
The Nov. 15 episode goes further, with traditional ceremonies showing Mo's grief over Troy. One is a version of the wiping of the tears ceremony, which Brings Plenty describes as a traditional way of helping families through mourning while celebrating the lives of loved ones.
"That's something that we still utilize to help us in our grieving process," he says. "But also to remember the greatness of the individual, what they've done for others."
The emotional weight was real for Brings Plenty as he performed the scenes.
"The heaviness that you felt was just a reliving of the whole experience," he says. "I want the audience to feel that. I want them to see that, because it's real."
Costar Gil Birmingham, who plays Broken Rock Chairman Thomas Rainwater, provided crucial emotional support during filming.
"It was hard, but also good, because I had Gil Birmingham there," says Brings Plenty, explaining that Birmingham knows what his family endured.
What happened to Cole Brings Plenty?
Cole Brings Plenty had been reported missing after Lawrence, Kansas, police identified the actor as a suspect in a March 31, 2024, domestic violence incident and sought his arrest. His body was found five days later. The Johnson County Sheriff's Office determined there was "no indication of foul play" in his death.
The department later maintained that it had "conducted a thorough investigation" and presented its findings to the family. Lawrence police said the evidence showed Cole acted alone. Authorities have not publicly released his cause of death, and investigative records were sealed by a judge at the family's request.
Mo Brings Plenty and the family dispute the police findings and call for further investigation.
"When the wheel of justice doesn't turn for us," Brings Plenty says, "I know it didn't for us, and I know there are a lot of families that are in the same situation as we are."
"I'm gonna keep my nephew's name and this case from being pushed under the rug in any way possible," he adds. "I'm thankful that they gave us this opportunity to tell this story."
And where does Brings Plenty believe Cole is today?
"I feel that Cole made it home. He's with our ancestors," he says. "But I also know that he would probably be saying, 'Let's talk about others. Don't talk about me.'"
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 'Marshals' honors Cole Brings Plenty as uncle says 'pain will never go away'
