AceShowbiz - Marshals launched impressively on CBS, drawing 9.52 million viewers for its premiere episode Sunday night. This marks the highest scripted series debut without a football lead-in since 2018, according to Nielsen live-plus-same-day data and big data panel ratings.

The series centers on Luke Grimes reprising his role as Kayce Dutton, who joins a new team of U.S. Marshals. It ranked as the No. 1 show of the week and is currently the top series premiere of the 2026-27 TV season based on this metric. CBS’ FBI previously held the record for the best scripted debut without a football lead-in, with 10.06 million viewers in 2018.

Marshals was a highlight of a strong Sunday lineup for CBS. Other notable ratings included 60 Minutes drawing 7.21 million viewers at 7 p.m., Tracker pulling in 8.29 million at 9 p.m., and Watson gathering 4 million viewers. Both Tracker and 60 Minutes ranked in the top three shows for the past week on the network.

The premiere episode revealed a significant plot development: Kayce’s wife Monica, portrayed by Kelsey Asbille in the flagship series, passed away sometime within the 12 to 15 months after the events of the Yellowstone finale. Alongside Grimes, the series features returning cast members Brecken Merrill, Gil Birmingham, and Mo Brings Plenty reprising their roles from the Yellowstone universe.

In February, Grimes explained that the show’s core narrative focuses on Kayce finding a renewed purpose through his old SEAL friend, emphasizing that although his son remains a motivation, the character is depicted as a man seeking direction and meaning in his life.

The cast also includes Arielle Kebbel, Logan Marshall-Green, Ash Santos, and Tatanka Means. This series marks the first broadcast television extension of the Yellowstone universe, produced by Paramount Television Studios and 101 Studios.

Marshals airs Sundays at 8 p.m. ET/PT on CBS and is available for streaming the following day on Paramount+.