‘Yellowstone’ Creator Taylor Sheridan Officially Leaving Paramount for NBCUniversal Deal
After revolutionizing modern television with Yellowstone and its sprawling universe of spinoffs, creator Taylor Sheridan is saddling up for a new chapter. The acclaimed writer, director, and producer is set to leave Paramount for a massive deal with NBCUniversal, marking a major shift for one of Hollywood’s most prolific storytellers.
Taylor Sheridan Signs Landmark Deal with NBCUniversal
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Deadline, and Puck, Sheridan has signed a five-year overall deal with NBCUniversal covering film, television, and streaming projects. The deal officially begins on January 1, 2029, after his current Paramount contract expires in 2028.
His producing partner David Glasser and 101 Studios, the company behind Sheridan’s hits, have also inked a first-look film and TV deal with NBCUniversal beginning in early 2026 — once they complete their ongoing Paramount commitments.
The move positions Sheridan to launch brand-new creative ventures under NBCUniversal while continuing to oversee his existing projects through the end of his Paramount deal.
The End of an Era — But Not for Yellowstone
Sheridan’s partnership with Paramount launched a television empire, beginning with Yellowstone in 2018. The neo-Western saga of the Dutton family ran until 2024 and became one of cable’s biggest ratings juggernauts, redefining the modern Western and spawning a full universe of interconnected shows.
Those include the acclaimed prequels 1883 and 1923, and upcoming titles like The Dutton Ranch, The Madison, and Y: Marshals. Sheridan also created unrelated Paramount hits including Tulsa King, Mayor of Kingstown, Special Ops: Lioness, and Landman.
Paramount will retain ownership of Yellowstone and all spinoffs developed under Sheridan’s tenure. That means while Sheridan will continue to be credited as creator and producer on existing series through 2028, any future NBCUniversal projects will be entirely new IP.
Sheridan’s Storytelling Legacy
Known for his gritty realism, emotional depth, and cinematic style, Sheridan has drawn major stars like Kevin Costner, Harrison Ford, Helen Mirren, Billy Bob Thornton, and Demi Moore into his television orbit. His approach to storytelling — treating TV with the precision of film — has become a defining hallmark of his work.
“Because Paramount trusts me and gives me the time to shoot 10 to 14 days for an episode, we can treat it like a movie,” Sheridan told Deadline in 2022. “It looks like a movie. We rehearse, we light it properly, and if I call them and say, ‘I need two helicopters today,’ they just say, ‘Alright.’”
But Sheridan has also been outspoken about maintaining creative control, telling The Hollywood Reporter in 2023:
“I spent the first 37 years of my life compromising. When I quit acting, I decided I’m going to tell my stories my way, period. If you don’t want me to tell them, fine — give them back. But I won’t compromise.”
What Comes Next
Sheridan’s exit follows Paramount’s recent merger with Skydance Media, which led to executive shakeups including the departure of Paramount Global co-CEO Chris McCarthy, one of Sheridan’s closest allies.
While it marks the end of an era for Paramount, Sheridan’s move could usher in a new creative wave at NBCUniversal. With his proven track record and a global audience already hooked on his storytelling, fans can expect his next chapter to be every bit as ambitious as Yellowstone.