The Taylor Sheridan Yellowstone franchise is preparing for a significant evolution in 2026 as it debuts its new spinoff, Y: Marshalls, on network television. This shift marks not just the first direct continuation of the original storyline but also an attempt to bring Sheridan’s Western universe to CBS, breaking away from the streaming platforms where the series found remarkable success.
Y: Marshalls Set to Expand the Yellowstone Universe on CBS
Y: Marshalls is slated for premiere on CBS on March 1, 2026, positioning itself as both a narrative sequel and a bold experiment for network television. The story picks up after the finale of Yellowstone season five and follows Kayce Dutton, portrayed by Luke Grimes, as he leaves the Dutton ranch and enters the military. This transition not only continues the franchise saga but tests how well Sheridan’s storytelling can adapt to the constraints of traditional broadcast TV, a shift from the less restrictive domain of streaming services like Paramount+.
This network TV debut presents specific challenges, particularly tighter content regulations compared to what viewers are accustomed to from the gritty tone of previous series like Mayor of Kingstown, Landman, and Tulsa King. All of these prior Sheridan-focused hits were developed for streaming, where creative boundaries tend to be broader. As a result, the franchise enters uncertain territory, with questions about whether its hallmark intensity and complexity will remain intact under CBS’s standards.
Streaming Success of 1923 Highlights Enduring Popularity
The move to network TV comes at a time when the franchise’s momentum remains strong. In July 2025, the prequel 1923 reached Netflix’s global Top 10 TV shows, a notable achievement especially as its Yellowstone storyline had already concluded earlier that year. The series captured a wide audience, with 1923’s second season finale drawing 14 million viewers upon its initial airing. This sustained enthusiasm suggests significant fan loyalty, even in the wake of Yellowstone’s series finale in December 2024.
The success of 1923, not to mention the popularity of Tulsa King and Mayor of Kingstown on Paramount+, signals that Taylor Sheridan’s creative reach continues to grow. Both of these spinoffs have consistently ranked among the most-watched titles on the platform, underscoring the audience’s appetite for Sheridan’s brand of drama. The franchise’s continued dominance in streaming metrics leaves analysts optimistic about the prospects for Y: Marshalls, even as it ventures into a markedly different distribution channel.
Key Figures and Impact on the Western Genre
Taylor Sheridan’s reputation sits alongside major television creators like Ryan Murphy and Shonda Rhimes, solidifying his status as an industry powerhouse. Much of this acclaim stems from his development of the Yellowstone franchise, which has blended modern drama with classic Western themes and kept audiences engaged across multiple generations of the Dutton family storyline. The franchise has brought in acclaimed actors such as Harrison Ford, playing Jacob Dutton, and Helen Mirren in the role of Cara Dutton, both of whom contributed to the gravitas and appeal of 1923.
Y: Marshalls not only continues the saga of Kayce Dutton but may also herald a revival for Westerns on broadcast networks. With CBS betting on the established popularity of the franchise, industry eyes are on whether this move will reinvigorate network television’s approach to the genre. While uncertainty surrounds the series’ adaptation to network standards, the potential success of Y: Marshalls could pave the way for more high-profile, serialized Westerns on mainstream TV channels.
As Sheridan leverages his history of innovative storytelling and audience engagement, the outcome of Y: Marshalls may have far-reaching implications for the future of network television and the continued expansion of the Yellowstone universe.
