New details about Marshals season 2 has been released, and it confirms that CBS is fully committing to Taylor Sheridan's shift in strategy despite being divisive. Marking the Yellowstone franchise's debut on traditional broadcast, the series brought back Luke Grimes as Kayce Dutton at the forefront of the universe, as he navigated a world after the death of Monica. Forced to forge a new path different from what he wanted, he joined the U.S. Marshals, with their adventures becoming the crux of the project.
Despite breaking new broadcasting barriers, Sheridan's Yellowstone spinoff immediately proved its popularity. Marshals is officially the most-watched show on network TV for the 2025-2026 cycle, which is an impressive feat, considering that it premiered late in the season. It dethroned Justin Hartley's Tracker after being on top for most of its run. Unsurprisingly, CBS is ordering more of Kayce's story, but as successful as it has been, not everything about it is universally loved. Unfortunately for those, Marshals season 2 has no plans of abandoning its divisive storytelling format that is different from Yellowstone.
Marshals First-Look Images Highlight Its Procedural Nature
Just a few weeks after the Marshals season 1 finale, CBS has announced that production for season 2 has already started in Utah, where the debut year was also filmed. The news came with a couple of images that show Grimes back as Kayce, riding a horse and carrying a gun, with an intense look on his face. Meanwhile, a more lighthearted snap features Tatanka Means and Ash Santos coming back as Miles and Andrea. No additional narrative information has been shared, but the selection of photos to announce Marshals season 2's production start emphasizes how it will stick to the project's procedural storytelling.
With Monica's death firmly in the past, while Beth and Rip's story plays out in Texas via Dutton Ranch, CBS's Yellowstone sequel can now fully embrace its procedural approach. The change in title to focus on the U.S. Marshals was the first indication of this narrative shift for the franchise. Marshals season 2's production update announcement, featuring aspects of its story that are tied to that instead of leaning on its Yellowstone connections or other supporting characters from the flagship, like Thomas Rainwater and Mo is an indication that CBS is fully embracing its procedural approach that puts its fresh players at the center of the series, even though it has been divisive.
Why Marshals Being A Yellowstone Procedural Is So Divisive
The change to become a procedural should have been expected when it was announced that Marshals would be airing on CBS instead of Paramount+ or even Paramount Network. On network TV, the format reigns supreme, primarily because it allows projects to run for more episodes than their streaming counterparts. Each year, there are at least 10–20 episodes, which is a lot of time to fill. By shifting Marshals to being a procedural set in the Yellowstone universe, Sheridan ensures that it can run longer than its flagship.
However, since this is a major shift compared to what viewers of the neo-Western franchise are used to, some haven't been as receptive. They criticize the weekly formula of tackling and solving a case, with a sprinkling of overarching storylines that play out throughout the year. Coming from Yellowstone, wherein each episode was packed with major reveals and twists, Marshals can come off as boring. That being said, it's worth noting that the longest-running shows on TV are procedurals, so if Grimes' show finds the perfect balance between its old and new ways, it can be universally embraced.
CBS Sets Fall Dates for ‘Marshals,’ ‘Survivor’ and More
CBS has set its fall premiere dates, and as has been the case for the past few seasons, most of the network’s lineup will launch in early October.
Reality staples Survivor and The Amazing Race will debut a bit earlier, as will 60 Minutes. But all of CBS’ scripted series are set to premiere over six days starting Oct. 4. Marshals and Tracker — the two most watched shows on network TV last season, excluding live sports — are up first that night, remaining in the Sunday night spots they occupied last season.
FBI and CIA follow on Oct. 5, with each show moving up an hour (to 8 and 9 p.m. ET/PT) from their spots last season as CBS eliminated its Monday comedy block for 2026-27. True crime show Harlan Coben’s Final Twist follows at 10 p.m.
An all-NCIS lineup remains on Tuesday nights starting Oct. 6, with newcomer NCIS: New York sandwiched between the flagship series and prequel NCIS: Origins. CBS’ two other new fall series, comedy Eternally Yours and drama Cupertino, premiere Oct. 8 along with Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage and Elsbeth. Ghosts and Matlock are set for midseason premieres, but a pair of Ghosts specials will air on Oct. 29 and Dec. 10 tied to Halloween and Christmas. The Friday lineup of Sheriff Country, Fire Country and Boston Blue debuts Oct. 9.
CBS’ fall premiere dates are below. All times are ET/PT unless noted, and new shows are marked with an asterisk.
Sunday, Sept. 13
7:30 p.m.: 60 Minutes (approximate; follows NFL doubleheader)
Wednesday, Sept. 23
8 p.m.: Survivor
Wednesday, Sept. 30
9:30 p.m.: The Amazing Race
Sunday, Oct. 4
8:30 p.m.: Marshals (approximate; follows NFL doubleheader and 60 Minutes)
9:30 p.m.: Tracker
Monday, Oct. 5
8 p.m.: FBI
9 p.m.: CIA
10 p.m.: Harlan Coben’s Final Twist
Tuesday, Oct. 6
8 p.m.: NCIS
9 p.m.: NCIS: New York*
10 p.m.: NCIS: Origins
Thursday, Oct. 8
8 p.m.: Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage
8:30 p.m.: Eternally Yours*
9 p.m.: Elsbeth
10 p.m.: Cupertino*
Friday, Oct. 9
8 p.m.: Sheriff Country
9 p.m.: Fire Country
10 p.m.: Boston Blue
Saturday, Oct. 10
10 p.m.: 48 Hours
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