Taylor Sheridan isn’t exactly jumping for joy over Paramount’s latest moves with Yellowstone and his other hit series. The powerhouse creator, known for his meticulous storytelling, reportedly isn’t thrilled with how the network is handling his universe. With Yellowstone nearing its end and multiple spinoffs in the works, creative control might be slipping from his grip.
If Paramount’s vision clashes with his, could this spell trouble for the franchise? Fans already have strong opinions, and if Sheridan isn’t happy, they might not be either.
Taylor Sheridan’s big Yellowstone play: Cash grab or creative gamble?
Paramount’s got a plan. Taylor Sheridan’s got concerns. With Skydance’s David Ellison set to take the reins at Paramount, the studio is ramping up licensing deals for its Yellowstone empire and other Sheridan-produced hits (reported by Puck). Netflix, Amazon, and Max are all eyeing the prize. But the move? A classic cash grab — and Sheridan isn’t exactly celebrating.
Paramount wants to better monetize its assets, especially as smaller streamers like Paramount+ and Peacock struggle to go toe-to-toe with Netflix. The goal? License Sheridan’s shows out for big bucks. But with Ellison and his team reportedly eyeing cost cuts — aiming for $9 million per episode instead of Sheridan’s usual $12M-$16M — things could get messy.
Sheridan’s 1923, Tulsa King, Special Ops: Lioness, and the upcoming Landman have been dominant, despite Paramount+ having a smaller reach than Netflix or Amazon. And yet, whispers suggest that Ellison and his incoming streaming chief, Cindy Holland, might not see Sheridan’s big-budget approach as sustainable.
Meanwhile, Netflix is playing hardball. The streamer, reportedly unhappy with its pricey Skydance Animation deal, wanted a renegotiation tied to Paramount’s licensing talks. Paramount shot that down. Now, they’re just waiting for the highest bidder.
But what happens if Sheridan — Paramount’s golden goose — gets fed up? His deal runs through 2027. Paramount’s future might depend on keeping him happy. Or maybe, just maybe, they think they can do it without him.
Taylor Sheridan’s underrated action thriller series makes its way to Netflix
Taylor Sheridan is swapping Westerns for high-stakes espionage. His overlooked action series, Special Ops: Lioness, is heading to Netflix, giving more viewers a taste of his spy-thriller chops.
Led by Avatar and MCU star Zoe Saldana, Lioness follows CIA agent Joe McNamara as she recruits elite female operatives to stop global threats. Inspired by a real-life military program, the series first dropped on Paramount+ in 2023. Now, it’s hitting Netflix in Latin America, Australia, and Canada on April 17, 2025.
Critics were split on Season 1 — 56% on Rotten Tomatoes — but Lioness fought back. Season 2, which landed last October, scored an impressive 89%. Collider called it a “slow-burn” that “heads in a strong direction.”
And Season 3? Showmax all but confirmed it. Looks like Lioness isn’t done yet.
Watch Yellowstone on Peacock & Apple TV.
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