Long before Taylor Sheridan became the acclaimed creator of Yellowstone, he appeared in a lesser-known role on Star Trek: Enterprise, surprising many fans of the Taylor Sheridan Star Trek role. More than a decade prior to his Hollywood successes, Sheridan’s limited appearance on the science-fiction series provided an early example of his work on television.
A Look Back at Taylor Sheridan’s Star Trek Appearance
Star Trek: Enterprise aired on United Paramount Network from 2001 to 2005, with Captain Jonathan Archer, portrayed by Scott Bakula, leading the crew aboard the NX-01 Enterprise. Throughout its four seasons, the series welcomed several noteworthy guest stars, including Dean Stockwell, Padma Lakshmi, and Peter Weller.
Interestingly, Taylor Sheridan joined these ranks as a guest star in the twelfth episode of the show’s third season, titled Chosen Realm. In this installment, Sheridan, heavily disguised with a wig and prosthetic facial features, played the character Jareb. As a member of a group of religious zealots led by Pri’Nam D’Jamat, portrayed by Conor O’Farrell, Jareb assisted in the takeover of the Enterprise’s bridge, even clashing physically with Subcommander T’Pol, played by Jolene Blalock.
The role of Jareb consisted of a handful of lines, primarily expository in nature, contributing background to the story’s plot. Notably, the episode credited Sheridan as “Tayler Sheridan,” which may have contributed to the obscurity of his appearance for fans tracking his career. Following this role, Sheridan moved on to a more significant part as Danny Boyd on Veronica Mars.
From Minor Roles to Major Success as a Producer and Screenwriter
Before his breakthrough behind the camera, Sheridan spent several years appearing in supporting roles on television, with credits in well-known series such as NYPD Blue, CSI: NY, and CSI: Crime Scene Investigation. However, his most recognizable acting work came as Deputy David Hale in the FX series Sons of Anarchy, where he participated in 21 episodes.
Dissatisfaction with acting eventually pushed Sheridan toward writing and producing, where he found remarkable success. He penned the screenplay for Sicario, earned an Academy Award nomination for Hell or High Water, and also wrote Wind River and Sicario: Day of the Soldado. His transition exemplifies the journey of a Hollywood creative finding the right path behind the scenes.
In 2018, Sheridan partnered with John Linson to create Yellowstone for the Paramount Network. Writing or co-writing every episode, he transformed Yellowstone into one of television’s most popular series, launching a broader franchise that includes prequels such as 1883 and 1923 and additional spinoffs like Y: Marshals, The Dutton Ranch, and The Madison.
Beyond the Yellowstone universe, Sheridan established himself with several other series on Paramount+, such as Mayor of Kingstown, Tulsa King, Special Ops: Lioness, and Landman, which notably became the most-watched original series on the streaming service. Sheridan’s career reflects his status as a sought-after writer-producer-director in Hollywood, attracting the interest of major stars such as Harrison Ford, Michelle Pfeiffer, Billy Bob Thornton, and Kurt Russell.
Taylor Sheridan’s Legacy and Continued Interest in Early Roles
Today, those interested in the formative years of Sheridan’s career can revisit his performance as Jareb by watching the twelfth episode of Star Trek: Enterprise season three on Paramount+. This early guest spot stands in stark contrast to his subsequent acclaim and illustrates how even minor television appearances can be an unexpected chapter in a prominent career.
The journey from a small, largely forgotten role as a Star Trek zealot to one of the most influential screenwriters and producers in American television underscores Taylor Sheridan’s versatility and perseverance, making his early work a point of renewed interest among fans and industry observers alike.
