Taylor Sheridan writing style has gained widespread recognition and success, particularly through his popular television dramas such as Yellowstone. Despite his rise to fame, there is growing concern about the repetitive nature and limitations of his storytelling that may be causing his work to lose its original appeal.
Taylor Sheridan, a multi-hyphenate talent known for acting, writing, and directing, has achieved significant acclaim with his television projects, which hold strong appeal among certain audiences. Yet, the distinctive traits that once set his work apart are now showing signs of wear, as recurring patterns and a narrow focus begin to fatigue viewers.
A Familiar Pattern Shapes Sheridan’s Characters and Stories
Many industry professionals envy the stability that comes from finding a successful formula, something Sheridan appears to have accomplished. However, his formula relies heavily on similar archetypes, which introduces limitations. At the heart of his stories, the main characters tend to be older, cisgender, heterosexual white men who resist change despite shifting social landscapes.
This repetition becomes clear when observing characters such as Tommy from Landman and John Dutton from Yellowstone; these men embody nearly identical traits, transplanted across different settings. While these figures may be admired by some audiences, they ultimately represent individuals clinging to outdated ideals, which hinders character development and narrative freshness.
The persistent use of these characters may feel engaging initially, but for many viewers, the similarities breed exhaustion over time. This pattern restricts the potential for a broader range of perspectives and risks alienating audiences seeking more varied representation in storytelling.
Portrayal of Female Characters Shows Limited Depth
Sheridan’s depiction of women follows a restricted template, mainly dividing female roles into two categories: those mirroring male characters’ toughness and resilience, and others who are primarily sexualized. Often, this blend masks an exploitation rather than empowerment of female figures in his narratives.
For example, Tommy’s ex-wife and daughter are portrayed with a heavy emphasis on their victimization and trauma, which overshadows their individuality. Although some female characters in Sheridan’s universe, like those in 1923, face additional hardships rooted in sexual and gender-based violence, they are frequently expected to endure suffering with stoic acceptance, similar to their male counterparts.
Diversity remains superficial in Sheridan’s projects, with minimal inclusion of people of color, usually only when it directly serves the story’s main thread. Notably, openly queer characters are virtually absent, highlighting a significant gap in representation within the worlds he creates.
The Downsides of Sheridan’s Tight Control Over His Projects
One core issue undermining Sheridan’s work is his compulsion to control nearly every aspect of production. Acting as writer, director, executive producer, and actor himself across multiple projects places an immense creative burden on a single individual.
Unlike collaborative writers’ rooms typical in television production, Sheridan often takes on whole seasons solo, a practice that risks creative stagnation. This approach can lead to projects losing momentum, as seen by comparisons to Derek Haas’s recent attempt at a single-writer effort, Countdown, which struggled significantly.
Concentrating power this way disrupts the usual collaborative ecosystem in Hollywood, limiting opportunities for other television writers and creatives. Given the industry’s competitive nature, this monopolization can negatively impact many professionals trying to establish themselves.
The Recognizable Traits Defining the ‘Sheridan Writing Style’
Sheridan’s voice remains distinct but has become predictable, frequently relying on a cyclical formula that blends philosophical dialogue and archetypal characters. This repetition can resemble a stand-up comedy routine, where exchanges between characters serve as set-ups and payoffs, often echoing the same themes endlessly.
Consider the following exchange from his work:
Son: Father, will we also die?
Father: Son, we are already dead, we just haven’t realized it yet. We begin dying the moment we are born. But instead of worrying about the inevitable, focus on what you can do in the interim.
Son: Will grandpa die too?
Father: No, son. Your grandpa is a legend. Legends never die!
While initially intended as profound, these dialogues tend to become overly familiar and simplistic, diminishing their impact over time. When such writing permeates entire seasons and multiple series, it risks alienating an audience seeking originality and depth.
Challenges Facing Sheridan’s Future Work and Industry Impact
Despite undeniable talent in crafting compelling narratives and characters, Sheridan’s over-involvement in his projects and creative constraints threaten the longevity of his shows’ success. Many of his series tend to lose steam after the opening season, which may be a symptom of the repetitive formula and centralized control he maintains.
The television landscape thrives on collaboration and the infusion of diverse voices, both of which Sheridan’s approach sidelines. If he allowed trusted collaborators to share creative responsibilities, his visions could become richer and more varied while easing the risks of burnout and redundancy.
Sheridan’s position in the industry evokes strong reactions: some viewers passionately support his work, while others criticize its limitations. This division reflects broader conversations about representation, creativity, and power dynamics in Hollywood.
Upcoming Developments in Sheridan’s Projects
Anticipation builds for Landman Season 2, which continues to unfold as news and promotional materials emerge, revealing new plot twists and character developments. The upcoming season promises fresh challenges, particularly involving characters such as Cami Miller and Tommy.
Meanwhile, Sheridan’s shows sit among a broader collection of politically charged TV dramas that do not shy away from tackling controversial themes, demonstrating his ongoing influence on contemporary television narratives.
Recent episodes, such as Landman Season 1 Episode 10, have established pivotal moments in their story arcs, highlighting the fragile futures of key characters after critical events like Monty’s heart attack, underpinning Tommy’s evolving journey.
As Sheridan’s career progresses, the question remains whether adapting his approach to embrace new storytellers and diverse character profiles will reinvigorate his work or if his writing style will continue to falter under its current constraints.
