Taylor Sheridan’s Yellowstone Gamble Pays Off Big Time With New 13-Part Western

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Just a year after the main Yellowstone series concluded, Taylor Sheridan took a big risk with a 13-episode spinoff, and it’s already paying off. Though the original neo-Western was incredibly popular, it ended after five seasons due to issues, including Kevin Costner leaving the show. However, the producer has successfully continued the Yellowstone story through several new spinoff series.

Now that John Dutton III has passed away, his children will continue his family’s story. While details are still emerging, the new show Dutton Ranch will focus on Beth and Rip as they build a life on their own ranch. Kayce will also star in his own series, Marshals, which will be more independent from the original show, following his career as a U.S. Marshal.

Marshals Is The First Yellowstone Show On Network TV & It’s Already A Ratings-Hit

As a big fan of Taylor Sheridan’s work, I was really excited for Marshals, which kicked off 2026 as the first spin-off from Yellowstone. The first episode immediately set up the new story: after the events of the Yellowstone finale, Kayce and Tate are dealing with the loss of Monica and trying to figure out their next steps, as their peaceful future has been completely disrupted. But honestly, the biggest surprise with Marshals wasn’t the story itself – it was how Sheridan decided to release it. It’s a pretty unconventional approach, and I’m curious to see if it pays off.

Rather than releasing it on Paramount Network, where the original series ran, or a streaming service like the other shows connected to Taylor Sheridan’s universe, Marshals is the first Yellowstone spin-off to air on traditional network television. Premiering on CBS every Sunday, this is a new approach for Sheridan, as his other projects haven’t followed a standard broadcast model. Early results are promising – the first episode drew 9.52 million viewers, marking CBS’s most-watched premiere in eight years.

While viewership might go down in the coming weeks, starting with such strong numbers is a positive sign. As long as the numbers don’t fall dramatically, ‘Marshals’ is off to a good start and has a solid audience for a network television show.

Why The Yellowstone Franchise Needs More Shows On Network TV

Taylor Sheridan has created numerous successful shows recently, many centered around the American West. While his television work includes several hits, the Yellowstone franchise is his biggest achievement. Previous spinoffs delved into the backstory of the Dutton family, but his new shows, Marshals and Dutton Ranch, will focus on what happens next, building on the original show’s popularity and moving the story forward.

While streaming and cable TV have gained a lot of attention recently, network television still offers strong storytelling, particularly for reaching a wide audience. The new show Marshals combines the feel of a Western like Yellowstone with the familiar, case-of-the-week format common on traditional TV. Unlike other shows in the Yellowstone universe, Marshals will feature a new case each episode, allowing for a longer run.

Additionally, airing on network television ensures that Marshals will return annually. If Yellowstone is renewed after the 2025-2026 season, it might move to a fall release, allowing for seasons with more than 13 episodes. This is particularly important for viewers, as many streaming shows now have very long gaps between seasons.

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2026-03-05 17:38