Taylor Sheridan is a cornerstone of the Paramount brand. But according to a new report, he may be ready to jump ship and make the move to Universal, sparking questions about where that leaves his Yellowstone universe and its upcoming spinoffs.
Since Yellowstone debuted in 2018, Sheridan’s TV empire has only continued to expand, with 1883, 1923, Mayor of Kingstown, Tulsa King, Special Ops: Lioness, and Landman all proving he’s one of the studio’s most bankable creators.
Even though Yellowstone ended last December, the Dutton-verse will continue through its various spinoffs, including The Madison, a sequel without the Dutton family starring Michelle Pfeiffer; The Dutton Ranch about Beth and Rip Wheeler; Kayce Dutton series Y: Marshals; and new prequel 1944.
And that’s before we get on to Sheridan’s other ongoing or upcoming TV projects. If he really does make the move to Universal, what will that mean for the Sheridan franchise?
What Taylor Sheridan move would mean for Yellowstone spinoffs
The short answer: the Yellowstone universe will continue at Paramount – at least for now. You see, Sheridan’s current television deal runs through 2028, and all series created during that time will remain under Paramount’s ownership, even after his transition to Universal.
That means the Yellowstone spinoffs and his other TV shows in development are expected to move forward as planned. But if and when he signs the deal, he will reportedly start writing and producing shows exclusively for Universal platforms, including its Peacock streaming service.
Sources told Puck’s Matthew Belloni about what’s been happening behind-the-scenes, with the Hollywood insider stating that David Glasser’s 101 Studios – the production company behind Sheridan’s shows – would also move over to Universal.
Belloni wrote, “Sheridan has decided to leave Paramount when his film and TV commitments are up. He just closed a massive deal with rival NBCUniversal.
“The nearly eight-year arrangement for film will begin in March. But it’s the five-year TV overall deal that is most lucrative, unique, and potentially game-changing in the streaming business.”
Sheridan’s reported decision follows months of alleged tension within Paramount after Skydance’s takeover. Sources told Puck that several of the execs he’d worked closely with were either fired or sidelined, while new leadership questioned the rising costs of his shows.
What’s interesting to note is that Paramount will retain the rights to the Yellowstone franchise, meaning it can continue that world with or without Sheridan.
Belloni went on to say, “Every show he makes for Paramount until ‘28 will stay with the company long after he is gone. Tulsa King, Mayor of Kingstown, and a reality-competition show called The Road are currently airing.
“In just the next year, Paramount is slated to air more Landman, the Yellowstone follow-ups Dutton Ranch and Y: Marshals, more Lioness, and a new show, NOLA King.
“Even without Sheridan, [Paramount Skydance CEO David] Ellison can continue to make Yellowstone spinoffs until the Duttons go to outer space or Bari Weiss takes over the writers room.”
Ultimately, little will change in the short term; the long-term question is what happens after 2028.
Can Sheridan’s TV universe still survive at Paramount?
As said, if Sheridan decides to leave the Yellowstone world behind, Paramount could continue producing spinoffs with other writers, similar to how The Walking Dead and Game of Thrones expanded without their original showrunners.
But if this is the case, the tone and quality could shift. Sheridan’s shows, though famously divisive and expensive to make, continue to top the streaming charts when they drop, and his voice is difficult to replicate.
Whether fans will want to stick with them when the creator is gone is yet to be seen, especially if he’s making new series and movies under a different banner.
The news also underscores a broader industry trend: studios are fighting harder for proven franchises. Universal’s potential acquisition of Sheridan echoes NBC’s long-running partnerships with Dick Wolf (Law & Order) and Lorne Michaels (Saturday Night Live).
Meanwhile, Paramount may have underestimated just how vital Sheridan’s brand is. As one fan noted in response to the potential move, “Sheridan shows are basically the only Paramount+ originals that chart on Nielsen so it’s sort of shocking they let this one slip.”
“They already screwed up by losing the rights to Yellowstone to Peacock right before it really went mainstream,” said another.
For now, the Duttons still belong to Paramount – but if Sheridan truly jumps ship to Universal, the heart of Yellowstone may go with him.
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