Taylor Sheridan Discusses HBO’s Decision to Pass on ‘Yellowstone’

3 min readJun 22, 2023

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In a New Interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Taylor Sheridan Talks about the Humble Beginnings of Yellowstone

A Series Almost Doomed to Fail

In a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Taylor Sheridan, the creator of the hit series Yellowstone, revealed some interesting details about the show’s origins. According to Sheridan, Yellowstone nearly never made it to television, all thanks to an unnamed HBO executive who initially didn’t believe in the concept.

Sheridan originally conceived Yellowstone as a film but later decided to turn it into a series. He pitched the idea to HBO, and back then, former HBO executive Michael Lombardo loved the concept. In Lombardo’s words, “I thought Taylor was the real deal. In a world of people who pose, he was writing what he knew, and he cared desperately about the show. The idea of doing a modern-classic Western was a good idea — we were always doing urban shows, and this felt fresh.”

Creative Differences and Casting Choices

With Lombardo’s approval, Yellowstone went into development. However, the series faced challenges due to creative differences between Sheridan and the rest of the HBO team. The first major hurdle was finding the right actor to play the lead character, John Dutton. Sheridan had Kevin Costner in mind, who eventually took on the role and won a Golden Globe for his performance. But HBO had a different idea; they wanted Robert Redford. Sheridan managed to convince Redford to join the cast, but the network still wasn’t satisfied. They allegedly said, “We meant a Robert Redford type.”

During a lunch meeting with HBO’s Vice President, Sheridan and John Linson, the co-creator of Yellowstone, confronted the network’s hesitations. The V.P expressed concerns about the show feeling too “Middle America” and stated that HBO aimed to be avant-garde and trendsetters. They didn’t believe anyone should be living in Montana and even suggested turning it into a park. HBO also criticized the character Beth, calling her “too abrasive” and claiming that women wouldn’t like her.

Sticking to His Vision

After listening to all the critiques, Sheridan didn’t hold back and challenged HBO. He asked who on the call was responsible for a scripted show currently on air. When the answer was none of them, Sheridan delivered a final blow, hung up, and HBO “never called back.”

Under normal circumstances, this would have been the end of the road for Yellowstone. However, luck was on Sheridan’s side. In 2016, Lombardo left HBO and returned the script to Sheridan before parting ways. This turn of events allowed Sheridan to find another home for his series.

From Near Failure to Phenomenal Success

Eventually, Paramount acquired Yellowstone, and the show became a massive hit. Since its premiere in 2018, the drama has captivated audiences with its five seasons and two spinoffs. It has also earned numerous Emmy and Golden Globe nominations. In the process, Taylor Sheridan has become a highly sought-after writer in the industry.

The Sweet Taste of Victory

Sheridan’s success didn’t go unnoticed, even by the former HBO executives. One of them reached out to congratulate him on his achievements and pitched a new family drama. Sheridan’s response was simple but powerful, stating, “Great idea. It sounds just like Yellowstone.”

FAQs

1. Was Yellowstone originally intended to be a film?

Yes, Taylor Sheridan initially conceived Yellowstone as a film before transforming it into a series.

2. Who did HBO want as the lead actor instead of Kevin Costner?

HBO expressed their desire for Robert Redford to play the lead character, John Dutton. However, Sheridan managed to convince Redford to join the cast.

3. What were HBO’s concerns about Yellowstone?

HBO felt that Yellowstone was too “Middle America” and not in line with their avant-garde image. They also had reservations about the character Beth, claiming she was “too abrasive” and that women wouldn’t like her.

4. How did Taylor Sheridan respond to HBO’s critiques?

Sheridan confronted HBO during a lunch meeting, challenging their concerns and highlighting their lack of experience with successful scripted shows. When the call ended, he never heard from HBO again.