Taylor Sheridan‘s influence on Tulsa King and Landman has shaped the success of both shows for Paramount Plus, but in different ways: by taking a step back from Tulsa King, Sheridan allowed the series to escape the familiar tropes of his other projects, resulting in a fresh direction, while his hands-on approach to Landman led to some creative limitations. The results highlight how Sheridan’s creative choices impacted each show’s appeal and originality within the streaming landscape.
How Sheridan’s Unique Style Both Helped and Hindered His Shows
Taylor Sheridan has been recognized as a significant force behind Paramount’s recent success, crafting hit westerns that have anchored the streaming service’s lineup. His deep appreciation for the western genre and stories that revolve around an evolving American lifestyle have shaped much of his work, usually set within sweeping rural landscapes and centering on morally complex figures.
While this storytelling formula has brought substantial acclaim, Sheridan’s body of work has sometimes been critiqued for repeating similar character types and themes. As he continues to expand his slate, the signature elements that once made his projects stand out can make newer series feel somewhat repetitive. This pattern became increasingly apparent with Landman, a show that many found noticeably similar to Yellowstone—just set against the oil industry rather than the world of ranching.
The overlaps go beyond setting, with familiar character archetypes appearing in both series. Although these shared aspects are not necessarily negative, they can limit opportunities for Paramount Plus to diversify its original programming, especially as the streaming landscape grows more crowded and varied. Sheridan’s preference for crafting his stories independently, rarely accepting outside feedback, has also shaped this dynamic.
Why Tulsa King Benefited from Sheridan’s Reduced Role
Unlike Landman, Tulsa King quickly stood apart from Sheridan’s other shows, featuring a mafia narrative led by Sylvester Stallone rather than the familiar western backdrop. The series took a lighter, more comedic turn, relying on its charismatic main character and Stallone’s unique performance style to offer something distinct for viewers on Paramount Plus.
Central to this freshness was Sheridan’s decision to step back after creating the initial pilot episode, handing full control to showrunner Terence Winter. This creative freedom allowed Winter to shape the show’s direction while building on the foundation Sheridan provided. Winter explained this handoff process:
Taylor wrote the original version of the pilot, gave it to me, and said, ‘Take it and run with it.’ And I did. I literally only met Taylor, in person, one time — and that was two-and-a-half years ago. We just went off and did the show with Sly and I hear Taylor likes it. He’s certainly got enough on his plate for him to worry about what we’re doing over in Tulsa.
—Terence Winter, Showrunner
This approach gave Tulsa King a tone and direction that set it apart from works like Yellowstone and Landman, infusing humor and originality into Paramount’s portfolio. While Tulsa King faced its own challenges, such as some criticism regarding the quality of season two’s latter portion, it successfully avoided feeling like another repeat of Sheridan’s earlier series. Sylvester Stallone’s central performance and Winter’s oversight helped deliver a viewing experience that was refreshing within the streamer’s collection of originals.
The Result: More Variety and Opportunity in Paramount’s Lineup
Tulsa King’s distinct identity showed that stepping away from a rigid creative formula—and allowing new voices such as Terence Winter to take over—can benefit both the series and the streaming platform. This separation made it easier for audiences to differentiate Tulsa King from other Sheridan projects, including Landman and Mayor of Kingstown, helping Paramount offer greater variety and reach a broader viewership.
Meanwhile, Sheridan has been able to concentrate on his other franchises, including developing additional Yellowstone spin-offs, while Tulsa King and its team pursue their vision. The success of Tulsa King demonstrates the value of flexibility and creative collaboration within a rapidly evolving television landscape, especially when a signature style risks becoming too predictable.
Tulsa King, starring Sylvester Stallone and run by Terence Winter, is available now for streaming on Paramount+, continuing to showcase how strategic creative decisions—from both Taylor Sheridan and his collaborators—shape the future of the platform’s original programming lineup.
