Taylor Sheridan’s Yellowstone Replacement Marshals Officially Loses 5 Million Viewers, Yet Holds TV’s Top Spot

A Yellowstone Follow-Up Draws Crowds

Taylor Sheridan’s shows have attracted large audiences, and Yellowstone became one of the most successful series of the 2010s. After the flagship ended, two sequels followed and found their own audiences.

One sequel, Marshals, continues Kayce’s story, with Luke Grimes in the role. Sheridan was not heavily involved in the series, though he helped shape Kayce during Yellowstone’s run.

Mixed Reception, Strong Start

Marshals was the first procedural in the Yellowstone universe. Critics and fans responded negatively, and it became the lowest-rated show in that franchise. The series premiered midseason earlier this year, and its pilot drew 20.6 million viewers. Nielsen data later put its average audience at 19 million, enough to move ahead of Tracker as broadcast television’s top show.

Viewers Fall, Lead Narrows

Marshals returned for a second season, which began airing Sunday, October 4. Nielsen ratings for an episode featuring Kayce rescuing Tate from Tom Weaver and his men showed 15.14 million viewers.

That is about five million fewer than the premiere, a decline the report describes as expected as shows progress through a season. Marshals still leads, but Tracker is closer with 13.86 million viewers; continued losses could become a larger concern.