Yellowstone co-creator Taylor Sheridan is synonymous with the Dutton family saga he created, and that stems from his total handle on the production. Sheridan has been the mastermind behind the Yellowstone universe, typically taking on duties as a showrunner, screenwriter, and sometimes even a director. Sheridan’s total mastery of the Yellowstone universe gives each distinct series compelling drama and themes, all stemming from Sheridan’s own personal brand of storytelling.

Outside a handful of episodes that he co-wrote on the original series, Sheridan independently penned every episode of Yellowstone and its spinoffs, 1883 and 1923. The creator has received high praise for creating the Dutton family and their plights, enriching their story with compelling, character-driven narratives and rich dialogue. The Yellowstone universe makes up some of the most popular TV shows of modern times, and it’s safe to say that Sheridan’s mark on the Dutton family is tied to their success.

Sheridan played a vital role in Yellowstone Season 3, the only chapter of the original series that garnered a 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes. In an interview with Gold Derby, he recounted that he tried to work in a writing room on Yellowstone Seasons 2 and 3, but the scripts for the latter were so bad, he stepped back in to fix the story. What Sheridan worked up for Season 3 was the best storytelling in Yellowstone, so the tale speaks to how his direct input has been synonymous with the franchise’s massive success.

Taylor Sheridan Won’t Be the Showrunner For Beth Or Kayce’s Yellowstone Spin-Offs

Sheridan won’t have the same level of input in the upcoming Yellowstone spin-offs, The Dutton Ranch and Y: Marshals. Yellowstone is placing Chad Feehan at the helm of The Dutton Ranch, taking over for Sheridan as the showrunner for Beth and Rip’s tale, and, while there’s no official word, he will likely contribute to some of the writing. Sheridan will still oversee production as The Dutton Ranch’s executive producer, a role he filled for Yellowstone and its existing spinoffs. Still, he won’t be as involved in production, perhaps splitting the writing with Feehan.

Sheridan will also hand over the reins for Kayce’s Y: Marshals, Yellowstone’s first foray into major network TV. It makes more sense that Sheridan will step back from the network series, which will also be the franchise’s first procedural. Spencer Hudnut, formerly the showrunner for Max Thieroit and David Boreanaz’s SEAL Team, will assume the showrunning duties on Kayce’s series. While Sheridan will be an executive producer for Y: Marshals and will likely contribute to some of the storytelling, Kayce’s story will be in new hands, which is a quality that both the spinoffs share.

Tulsa King’s Model For Success Is Being Applied to The Dutton Ranch & Y: Marshals

While the revelation that Sheridan won’t play the same role in Beth or Kayce’s spinoff shows immediately causes some concern due to his role in the franchise’s success, the Yellowstone universe is applying a model of creation that has already worked for Tulsa King. Sheridan similarly took a backseat in the Tulsa-set crime thriller. While Sheridan created Tulsa King and has stayed on as an executive producer, showrunning duties have been split between Terrance Winter and Dave Erickson throughout the show’s three seasons.

Sheridan also took a significant step back when contributing to Tulsa King‘s storytelling. While he continues to have a hand in the production, the screenwriter hasn’t been credited for writing an episode since the series premiere. Sheridan, taking a back seat, has allowed others to step in, including Sylvester Stallone himself, who contributed to writing episodes as the series progressed. Tulsa King, thereby, has remained compelling outside Sheridan’s control, allowing others to step in and bring their unique perspectives to the story.

Hopefully, the same will be true for Yellowstone‘s spinoffs. Perhaps key actors can step in and contribute, as Stallone has. Cole Hauser played a significant role in crafting Rip Wheeler, making changes that earned Rip a reputation as a fan favorite. Perhaps the key to Sheridan handing over the reins is for those familiar with the story and characters to step in and contribute, giving Sheridan’s Yellowstone spinoffs the same attention and care he provided in his absence.