It Is a Nightmare to Work With Taylor Sheridan — According to New “Insider” Reports

Taylor Sheridan may be the mind behind some of the most successful television dramas in recent memory, including Yellowstone, 1883, and Tulsa King, but according to recent speculation and a wave of new reports surfacing online, working with him behind the scenes may not be as glamorous as the final product appears.

With multiple sources — both confirmed and alleged — coming forward about Sheridan’s intense creative process, some are beginning to wonder: is he a brilliant visionary, or an uncompromising perfectionist who pushes his collaborators to the brink?

The drama intensified when Oscar-winner Billy Bob Thornton, currently starring in Landman, gave a revealing interview. While he did praise Sheridan’s clarity and control over his storytelling, he also hinted at the challenges of collaborating with someone who operates on “his own schedule,” saying, “Taylor knows exactly what he wants. But sometimes you’re waiting around for him to finish writing the next scene.”

This statement mirrors claims from crew members — unnamed but reportedly close to production — that scripts for Landman’s second season were delayed so severely that some filming days were postponed indefinitely. One source allegedly remarked, “He disappears into his ranch for weeks. Nobody hears anything, and then suddenly we’re back in production like nothing happened.”

Even more controversial is the rumor that Sheridan often rewrites scripts at the last minute, sometimes even on the day of shooting. While some actors thrive in this dynamic environment, others find it chaotic. This echoes the experience of Tulsa King showrunner Terence Winter, who famously exited the show after season one, citing “creative differences.”

A former staff writer who reportedly worked under Sheridan briefly (and asked to remain anonymous) described the writing room as “a revolving door of stress.” They claimed that “Taylor doesn’t like input. He’s the showrunner, director, and sometimes the only writer in the room. You don’t get to pitch — you get told.”

While that kind of single-author control has helped Yellowstone and its spin-offs stand out, it has also led to high-profile fallout — including, most notably, with Kevin Costner. Costner, who played patriarch John Dutton, reportedly clashed with Sheridan over script delays and production scheduling. According to speculation, part of the reason for Costner’s departure was the alleged lack of communication from Sheridan’s camp during a crucial negotiation period. Although both parties have downplayed the conflict, fans know something went wrong — and they’re still waiting for closure.

And yet, despite these reported tensions, there is no denying that Sheridan maintains an enviable track record of attracting Hollywood’s best talent again and again. Morgan Freeman, who appeared in Lioness, recently called Sheridan “prolific and razor-sharp,” even saying, “I felt honored he wrote the role for me.” Editor Chad Galster, who has worked with Sheridan on multiple series, praised their “brutally honest” working relationship, saying, “There’s no ego. We argue, but we both want what’s best for the story.”

Cole Hauser, one of Sheridan’s most loyal collaborators, has gone as far as to credit the creator with reshaping his career and even influencing his personal life. “Taylor helped me become a better cowboy, a better rider. That’s not just acting. That’s lifestyle,” Hauser said.

Still, not everyone’s convinced. A new (unconfirmed) leak suggested that Sheridan’s perfectionism nearly halted early development of the Yellowstone sequel series after he allegedly rejected three full scripts from studio writers who were “not aligned” with his vision. Whether true or not, the rumor adds to the growing narrative that Sheridan demands total control over every aspect of his universe.

And yet, the irony is that despite this so-called “nightmare” reputation, nearly every actor who works with Sheridan comes back for more. Michelle Randolph, Kelsey Asbille, Jeremy Renner, and Gil Birmingham have all appeared in multiple Sheridan projects, often playing very different roles. Even Billy Bob Thornton, after his critiques, hasn’t ruled out working with Sheridan again.

So, is it really a nightmare? Or just the price of brilliance? Maybe both. What’s clear is this: love him or hate him, Taylor Sheridan is changing the way television is made — one intense, unpredictable day at a time.