‘Yellowstone’ creator sees mix of success, controversy in ’23
The off-screen drama Taylor Sheridan faced in 2023 rivaled that of many of his productions.
The 53-year-old’s flagship series, “Yellowstone,” revealed that it is ending after five seasons despite high viewership. The decision came in May after reports of a dispute with Kevin Costner, who stars as ranch owner John Dutton.
However, Sheridan found new success with “Lawmen: Bass Reeves.” The limited series is based on Reeves, one of the first Black deputy U.S. marshals west of the Mississippi River. Paramount+ announced that the series’ first two episodes in November set a record as the streaming service’s most watched global series premiere in 2023.
Without question, Sheridan’s dispute with Costner grabbed headlines. Sheridan admitted that Costner’s exit wasn’t the way he wanted to see the series come to an end. Costner is leaving to focus on his own Western project, a fourmovie saga titled “Horizon,” according to The Hollywood Reporter.
Reports surfaced in February speculating that Costner might leave the show. Something seemed amiss in April when Sheridan and Costner were no-shows at PaleyFest, an annual fan event in Hollywood. In May, the Paramount Network announced the fifth season would be “Yellowstone’s” last. In a June interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Sheridan didn’t seem to have hard feelings about the split.
“He took a lot of this on the chin, and I don’t know that anyone deserves it,” Sheridan said. “His movie seems to be a great priority to him, and he wants to shift focus. I sure hope (the movie is) worth it — and that it’s a good one.”
Sheridan created a universe of programming that has drawn big-name actors. In 2022, Harrison Ford signed on to star in Sheridan’s “1923,” a prequel to “Yellowstone.” The series also stars Helen Mirren. The actors have also signed on for a second season. Sheridan’s “Tulsa King” brought in Sylvester Stallone. “Lawmen: Bass Reeves” attracted such established stars as Lauren E. Banks, Dennis Quaid and Donald Sutherland. The series stars David Oyelowo.
Nothing has officially been announced about Matthew McConaughey, who emerged as another star in Sheridan’s universe. Deadline reported that McConaughey will star in “1944,” a prequel to “Yellowstone.” In The Hollywood Reporter interview, Sheridan addressed McConaughey but wasn’t specific.
“We had a few conversations over the years and spitballed a few ideas,” Sheridan said. “Then he started watching ‘Yellowstone’ and responded to it. He was like, ‘I want to do that.’ And by ‘that’ he meant diving into a raw world clashing up against the modern world. And then I said, ‘Buddy, that we can do.’ ”
On deck is Sheridan’s “Land Man,” starring Billy Bob Thornton, but no premiere date has been set. Also in the works is “6666,” about the fabled Texas ranch that Sheridan owns.
Sheridan’s Beverly Hills-based 101 Studios also produces “Mayor of Kingstown” and “Special Ops: Lioness.” Sheridan is the creator of “The Last Cowboy,” a competition series on CMT, as well.
But last year, Sheridan also received blowback for his recent negative comments about writers, whose strike delayed some of his projects, including “1923” and new episodes of “Yellowstone.”