Taylor Sheridan, the acclaimed creator behind the hit series Yellowstone, is set to leave Paramount TV as his current contract comes to an end, moving to NBCUniversal for a new multi-project deal involving both film and television. This development marks a pivotal shift for Paramount, as Sheridan has been a crucial figure in the studio’s streaming successes with Paramount+.
Although Sheridan’s film agreement with Paramount concludes in March, allowing him to begin producing movies for Universal, his television deal with Paramount remains active through 2028. This means he will continue overseeing his ongoing Paramount+ series until then.
Impact on Paramount Amid New Leadership
The news of Sheridan’s move was initially reported by Puck, with neither Paramount nor NBCUniversal providing immediate comments. Sheridan previously maintained a close working relationship with former Paramount co-CEO Chris McCarthy, who departed following David Ellison’s Skydance acquisition of the company.
Paramount faces a notable creative loss, especially at a time when Ellison’s ownership has led to the addition of prominent talent such as Will Smith, director James Mangold, and Stranger Things creators Matt and Ross Duffer in recent weeks. At the same time, Cindy Holland, the new head of streaming at Paramount+, is actively reshaping the platform’s content strategy, possibly reducing Paramount+’s reliance on Sheridan-driven series in the future.
Sheridan’s Successful Run at Paramount+ and Upcoming Projects
Known for his prolific output, Sheridan has delivered multiple popular shows for Paramount+, including Yellowstone spin-offs 1883 and 1923, the Jeremy Renner-led Mayor of Kingstown, Sylvester Stallone’s Tulsa King, and recent thrillers Lioness, starring Nicole Kidman and Zoe Saldaña, as well as Billy Bob Thornton’s Landman. These series have consistently attracted strong ratings for the streamer.
Before Sheridan transitions to NBCUniversal, two more Yellowstone spin-offs are in development: Y: Marshals, featuring Luke Grimes, and a series titled The Madison, starring Michelle Pfeiffer.
Sheridan’s Background as a Screenwriter and Director
Taylor Sheridan initially gained acclaim as a screenwriter with an Oscar nomination for the 2016 film Hell or High Water and by writing Denis Villeneuve’s critically praised Sicario. He also directed the films Wind River (2017) and Those Who Wish Me Dead (2021). With the new film deal starting next year at Universal, Sheridan may return to feature filmmaking soon. One of his unproduced scripts, F.A.S.T., is progressing at Warner Bros.
The Significance of Sheridan’s Move and Future Outlook
Yellowstone was Sheridan’s flagship project at Paramount, becoming a major success before concluding after five seasons on Paramount Network. Interestingly, despite the show’s origins, the streaming rights for Yellowstone currently reside with Peacock due to an earlier licensing agreement made before Paramount+ launched. This arrangement is set to expire some time after the final Yellowstone episode airs, which could align with Sheridan’s shift to NBCUniversal, potentially allowing the show to debut on Paramount+ at that point.
This transition highlights a broader transformation within Paramount’s creative landscape and signals fresh opportunities for Sheridan at NBCUniversal, where he is expected to expand his oeuvre across both television and film in the coming years.
