In a significant move within the entertainment industry, Taylor Sheridan, the mastermind behind the hit Western series Yellowstone, is set to leave his current network home for new pastures. The creator will transition from Paramount to NBCUniversal, a change that has certainly caught the attention of many in the business.

According to The Wall Street Journal, Sheridan, now 55, has inked a deal with NBCUniversal that will see him join their ranks once his existing obligations with Paramount conclude in 2028. While fans and industry insiders alike might be buzzing with the news, Sheridan’s departure is not immediate. He will continue his creative endeavors with Paramount until 2029, ensuring his ongoing projects receive his full attention.

Attempts to gain further insights have been made by The Daily Mail, which reached out to representatives of Sheridan, Paramount, and NBCUniversal, although no comments have been provided thus far.

This announcement comes on the heels of reported tensions between Sheridan and Yellowstone’s leading actor, Kevin Costner. Costner’s exit from the series last year was surrounded by controversy, adding layers to the unfolding narrative of Sheridan’s career moves.

Breaking the news of Sheridan’s impending transition, Puck News highlighted that the acclaimed showrunner will engage in both film and television ventures at NBCUniversal. This new chapter promises to expand Sheridan’s influence across multiple media platforms.

Puck News broke the news of the shake-up, reporting Sheridan will be working in both film and TV for NBCUniversal. 

Yellowstone creator Taylor Sheridan is now reportedly leaving the network which launched his wildly successful Western series for a rival company

He has a nearly eight-year movie arrangement with NBCUniversal that will commence in March.

He also has a five-year TV deal with the organization that the outlet described as ‘most lucrative, unique, and potentially game-changing in the streaming business.’

Puck reports that Sheridan will begin writing and producing shows solely for Universal branches such as Peacock and NBC following the end of his pact for Paramount’s TV shows, which goes through 2028.

Additionally, 101 Studios, the David Glasser-founded production company behind Sheridan’s many shows including Yellowstone, will join Sheridan at NBCUniversal.

Sheridan, who reportedly has a net worth of $100M, will reportedly receive a massive pay raise at NBCUniversal, however Puck reports money wasn’t a big motivator in his decision to leave. 

The talks with NBCUniversal apparently began as Sheridan began anticipating the end of his film pact with Paramount, Puck reports. 

Sheridan’s film contract ends in March, and he began meeting with competing media organizations with the likes of Amazon, Netflix, and Apple attempting to woo him.

During talks with Donna Langley, a longtime film head at Universal who recently began running NBCU’s television programming, Sheridan was asked about his plans for television once his contract doing television for Paramount ends. 

The critically-acclaimed showrunner reportedly said he has seen NBCUniversal as an organization where he would be regarded as a top filmmaker – in addition to creating his usual brand of critically-acclaimed television shows. 

Sheridan launched the wildly successful Kevin Costner led series Yellowstone at Paramount

Costner departed Yellowstone following a rumored rift with Sheridan, and his character was killed off 

Langley and her head dealmaker Jimmy Horowitz soon began working out a macro arrangement for all of Sheridan’s work. 

While Sheridan has received glowing reviews by Paramount Skydance CEO David Ellison, Puck noted Ellison has not pinned Sheridan down for a movie deal or lengthen his TV contract for post-2028. 

The publication notes the cost of Sheridan’s shows may have become too expensive for Paramount. 

Additionally, they reported anticipated layoffs following the Skydance takeover (which has resulted in the departure of two executives who Sheridan has collaborated with), as well as some other filmmaking moves Ellison made may have factored into Sheridan’s decision to leave. 

Sheridan has an extensive list of critically-acclaimed shows at Paramount.

The shows he has produced include Mayor of Kingston, Tulsa King, the Yellowstone prequel 1923, Landman, Lioness, and more. His shows have also attracted A-listers, with Sylvester Stallone starring in Tulsa King, Jeremy Renner in Mayor of Kingstown, Jenna Ortega and Tommy Lee Jones in Finestkind, Billy Bob Thornton in Landman, and Nicole Kidman in Lioness. 

And of course, there is his mega hit Yellowstone, the Golden Globe Award winning show which Sheridan created and debuted in 2018. 

Sheridan made an appearance on the hit Western series last year

His shows have attracted A-listers, with Sylvester Stallone starring in Sheridan’s Tulsa King

The show recently came to an end after five seasons following star Kevin Costner’s dramatic departure from the show. 

News first started to spread about Costner potentially leaving the show in 2023, amid rumors of a dispute between him and Sheridan. 

Costner’s attorney Marty Singer denied rumors that Costner refused to film on the show for more than just one week in Season 5 Part 2.

‘The idea that Kevin was only willing to work one week on the second half of Season 5 of Yellowstone is an absolute lie,’ Singer said last summer.

‘It’s ridiculous — and anyone suggesting it shouldn’t be believed for one second,’ he added.

The filming conflicted with Costner’s plans to direct his first movie in 20 years – Horizon – the first in a planned four-part Western movie series.

Costner ultimately confirmed in June 2024 that he would not appear at all in Season 5 Part 2, in a video he posted to Instagram.

‘I want to reach out and let you know that after this long year and a half of working on Horizon and doing all the things that’s required, and thinking about Yellowstone, that beloved series that I love, that I know you love, I just realized that I’m not going to be able to continue Season 5B or into the future,’ Costner said.

‘It was something that really changed me. I loved it. And I know you loved it. And I just wanted to let you know that I won’t be returning and I love the relationship we’ve been able to develop and I’ll see you at the movies,’ he added.