Taylor Sheridan is widely recognized today for his work on Yellowstone, but his most compelling television role was actually in the crime drama Sons of Anarchy, where he played Deputy Chief David Hale. Sheridan’s portrayal in this long-running biker series stands out for its depth and complexity, making it his best small-screen performance. Sons of Anarchy aired from 2008 to 2014, and Sheridan’s involvement played a significant role in the show‘s intense and Shakespearean drama.
Taylor Sheridan’s Role as Deputy Chief David Hale in Sons of Anarchy
In Sons of Anarchy, Taylor Sheridan brings to life Deputy Chief David Hale, a key figure on the law enforcement side of the violent conflicts in Charming, California. Although Sons of Anarchy mostly features outlaw motorcycle club members as central characters, Hale is among the few who represent the side of law and order. Unlike Chief Wayne Unser, who often shows some leniency towards SAMCRO, Hale is a steadfast opponent of the biker gang’s illegal activities and considers their presence a serious moral threat to the town.
What distinguishes Hale as a character is his role as an antagonist without descending into villainy. He doesn’t seek ruthless revenge or try to punish the Sons of Anarchy beyond the limits of the law. This moral integrity surfaces most clearly when Hale ends his relationship with June Stahl upon discovering her involvement in the violent event that caused the death of Opie’s wife Donna. Sheridan’s performance captures this nuanced blend of determination and decency, creating one of the show’s most compelling and morally grounded characters.
Compared to his later role in Yellowstone as Travis Wheatley, who has been criticized for lacking depth and mainly serving to demonstrate horse-riding skills and antagonistic behavior, Sheridan’s depiction of Hale offers much greater complexity and subtlety. This role allowed him to explore themes of justice, loyalty, and personal ethics against the backdrop of a brutal crime drama.
Why Taylor Sheridan’s Sons of Anarchy Role Is Often Overlooked
Despite Sheridan’s impressive portrayal of Deputy Chief Hale, many fans overlook his part in Sons of Anarchy because his character’s story was cut short early in the series. Hale meets a violent end in the season 3 premiere, in one of the show’s most shocking and brutal moments: he is run over by a van during a drive-by shooting at Half-Sack’s funeral and dragged along the street.
This fast and grim exit explains why the role has receded from many viewers’ memories, especially since Sons of Anarchy continued strong for four more seasons after Hale’s death. Throughout those later seasons, numerous other characters captured audiences’ attention, including Walton Goggins’ unforgettable portrayal of Venus van Dam, a distinctive figure associated with Tig, keeping the focus on fresh storylines and character dynamics beyond Hale’s arc.
The Reason Behind Taylor Sheridan’s Departure from Sons of Anarchy
Taylor Sheridan’s tenure on Sons of Anarchy, spanning from 2008 to 2010, was a crucial stepping stone in his career, but the actor chose to leave despite it being his biggest acting role at the time. His exit was primarily due to a dispute over compensation. Sheridan revealed to Deadline that his salary was less than
“virtually every other person on the show,”
prompting him to maintain a second job to support himself.
Negotiations to increase Sheridan’s pay stalled because the show’s business attorney rejected his claim for a raise, stating that his position on the call sheet warranted no more financial recognition. As Sheridan recounted,
‘He is 11 on the call sheet. That’s what that guy is, and that’s all he’s ever going to be.’
This hard stance did not align with Sheridan’s expectations and resulted in the decision to write his character off the series.
However, this career turning point proved fortuitous, as it spurred Taylor Sheridan to focus on screenwriting. His first screenplay, Sicario, became a critically acclaimed film starring Emily Blunt in 2015. Following that success, Sheridan earned an Academy Award nomination for his script Hell or High Water released in 2016. His transition from acting to writing and directing soon propelled him to prominence in Hollywood.
By 2017, Sheridan had directed Wind River to positive reviews, and the debut of Yellowstone in 2018 marked a major milestone in his career. Today, Sheridan is regarded as a prolific creator behind several successful television series, with Sons of Anarchy acting as an early platform that influenced his later achievements in storytelling and filmmaking.
The Legacy and Influence of Sheridan’s Sons of Anarchy Performance
While Taylor Sheridan’s work on Yellowstone has brought him widespread fame, his best acting contribution remains his depiction of Deputy Chief David Hale in Sons of Anarchy. Through this role, Sheridan demonstrated his ability to portray a conflicted but principled character navigating the violent and morally ambiguous world of an outlaw motorcycle gang. Sons of Anarchy’s exploration of themes like betrayal, loyalty, and redemption fits Sheridan’s intense and often troubled style, making his performance deeply resonant.
More than just a memorable character, Sheridan’s involvement with Sons of Anarchy had lasting effects on his career trajectory. The experience and challenges he faced during the show’s production encouraged him to sharpen his skills behind the camera and pen, ultimately leading to some of Hollywood’s most gripping crime dramas and Western narratives in recent years. As Yellowstone continues to evolve under his guidance, the impact of Sheridan’s role in Sons of Anarchy remains a significant chapter in his artistic development.
Sons of Anarchy itself holds a unique place in television crime drama, blending Shakespearean themes from Hamlet with high-stakes criminal and personal drama. The series follows Jax Teller, the club’s vice president, as he struggles to honor his father’s wish for the club to go legitimate while confronting deadly betrayals and revenge. This story, set in the fictional town of Charming, California, featured an ensemble cast including Charlie Hunnam as Jax Teller and Katey Sagal as Gemma Teller Morrow, with Sheridan’s David Hale standing out as one of the few morally anchored law enforcement roles.
The show’s intense narrative and richly drawn characters secured its place as a modern classic, garnering acclaim for its portrayal of complex loyalties and dark consequences. Although Sheridan’s character met a tragic end early, the layers he brought to Hale contributed meaningfully to Sons of Anarchy’s gritty portrayal of justice and crime, setting the stage for future roles and creations from the actor turned acclaimed screenwriter and director.
