Taylor Sheridan may be shifting gears with a new Universal deal, but his Yellowstone empire is far from slowing down. The latest spinoff, Marshals, has proven that even a divisive reception can't stop the Dutton train. According to fresh Nielsen data, the Kayce Dutton-led series pulled in a staggering 528 million minutes watched during the week of its season 1 finale on May 24 — and it's still climbing on streaming platforms weeks later.
While Sheridan's day-to-day involvement in the newest Yellowstone offshoots has reportedly been limited, the franchise's momentum remains undeniable. Marshals isn't just a streaming hit; it's also a linear television success, averaging 6 to 7 million viewers per week on CBS. That makes it the second most-watched narrative show of the season on the network, trailing only Tracker. The series also cracked Nielsen's top 10 acquired series list, landing at No. 10 — a notable feat for a show that critics have been less than kind to.
On Rotten Tomatoes, Marshals holds a 45% critics' score and a 27% audience score, with the consensus calling it a "dim procedural" that lacks the spark of the original Yellowstone. But numbers don't lie: viewers are tuning in, and they're sticking around. The show's 13-episode first season concluded on May 24, and with season 2 already filming, the Dutton saga is far from over.
Meanwhile, another Sheridan spinoff, Dutton Ranch, is also thriving. The Paramount+ original racked up 736 million minutes watched during the same week, proving that the Yellowstone universe has plenty of life left — even without Kevin Costner. Dutton Ranch recently made headlines for splitting Rip Wheeler's role into two new characters, a creative move that has fans buzzing.
Created by Spencer Hudnut and executive-produced by Sheridan, Marshals follows Kayce Dutton (Luke Grimes) as he navigates a new chapter away from the Yellowstone ranch. The procedural format has drawn comparisons to classic CBS crime dramas, but with Sheridan's signature grit. Despite the mixed reviews, the show's streaming performance suggests a loyal audience that's hungry for more Dutton family drama.
Looking ahead, Marshals season 2 is expected to premiere in June 2026, according to industry insiders. That timeline aligns with Sheridan's broader strategy of keeping the Yellowstone franchise active across multiple platforms. For fans who can't get enough of the Dutton universe, there's also a promising update on the prequel 1944, which is still in development.
As Sheridan prepares to expand his creative horizons with Universal, his Paramount legacy continues to dominate. Whether critics love it or hate it, the Yellowstone machine keeps rolling — and Marshals is proof that even a spinoff with a rocky start can become a streaming juggernaut.
