Yellowstone

Taylor Sheridan’s First Western Drama Role Was 20 Years Before ‘Yellowstone’

Posted on by Jennie

Whether you love his work or hate it, Taylor Sheridan has become the king of the neo-Western. He has written, directed, and produced both movies and television shows in this genre for the past decade. Many of these titles have been recognized by major film institutions. For example, Yellowstone earned a Golden Globe for Kevin Costner, Sheridan received Cannes Film Festival’s highest accolade in 2017 for Wind River, and Lioness was nominated for an Emmy.

These accomplishments have helped cement his Hollywood reputation and set the stage for his future projects. But just like any other name trying to make it big, Sheridan had humble beginnings in the dramatic Western space. Enter Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman, an award-winning TV production that aired throughout the 1990s. Running for six seasons and two small-screen movies, actress Jane Seymour played the lead as Michaela Quinn, who moved her emerging physician practice from Boston to Colorado, all during the 1860s.

‘Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman’ Could Be a Sheridan Work

Michaela holding a baby in Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman

By highlighting the trials and tribulations of the Industrial Revolution, showing the Indigenous struggle, and exploring Ms. Quinn’s personal relationships, the show feels like a Sheridan production — long before he began his behind-the-scenes career. Instead of being behind the camera, he actually stepped into a minor role for an episode titled “A Matter of Conscience” during the final season. It wouldn’t be far-fetched to say that Dr. Quinn is where Sheridan honed his storytelling skills in the dramatic Western genre.

There’s actually a lot to enjoy in this episode of Medicine Woman. Michaela’s husband, Sully, is still hiding out from the United States Army. Many believe him to be dead. A group of Native Americans sets off a dynamite explosion in town and cause a general’s death by the end of the episode. Michaela was doing her best to revive him, so it was heartbreaking. After all, he was the one who could grant a pardon for her husband. We also get a new sheriff in the form of Sully’s best friend, Daniel Simon. He and Hank (an unkempt saloon owner who pretty much hates the Natives) have a pretty close race, but Daniel wins in the end due to his good nature.

Sheridan Is Actually Better Than Some of the Main Cast

Taylor Sheridan in the middle as Corporal Waters in season six of Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman

This closely mirrors the complex, soap opera-like stories found in Yellowstone and its spin-offs, 1883 and 1923. You obviously won’t see the more mature themes since Dr. Quinn was on CBS during its original run. That didn’t matter to Sheridan. He honorably took on the role of Corporal Winters and stands behind Sergeant McKay. They come in to help the town during this perilous time, and it is a speaking role (appearing numerous times), so you can see how far Sheridan has come. Just don’t expect him to be guns ablazing either. Winters is more so there to show the audience that Sergeant McKay has an immediate barking order given his rank.

Sheridan has actually made it crystal clear that this role — along with a few other small TV spots — was a pivotal stepping stone for his time in the business. While speaking to the Austin American-Statesman in 2017, the now writer, producer, and director stated that at the beginning of his career, he was living in his car and a tent on a friend’s reservation, located a little way from West Texas. As you can see, it was actually a blessing for him to capture a part like this. He would take it seriously, and it shows. While he handles the otherwise small role with ease, there are definitely some main cast members in Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman who needed some help in the same department.

It would be almost 20 years before Sheridan would return to the slower-paced Western again. He wrote and had a cameo appearance in 2016’s Hell or High Water (mentioned above). This film shares some similar qualities with Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman, such as familial relationships and boiling tension. Even more of this show’s influence could be found in Wind River one year later, as well. But the fact remains.

As surprising as it may seem, Taylor Sheridan had a beginning just like any other name in Hollywood — scrounging by on the small castings until he grabbed a moment to shine and never let it go.