The TV drama Yellowstone has been a sensational success measured by any metric. The saga of the dynastic Dutton clan is like the popular 1980s series Dallas about the Ewing family but transplanted to the prairie. But shows like that one were not the real inspiration for Yellowstone. Per Screen Rant, it was Sons of Anarchy that was actually the seed for the riveting Western tale. Yellowstone creator Taylor "Sheridan's experience on Sons of Anarchy didn't just mark a turning point in his career - it shaped the tone of the stories he would later tell."
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What Was Taylor Sheridan's Connection To 'Sons Of Anarchy'?
For three seasons, Sheridan was Deputy Chief David Hale on Sons of Anarchy. The character was a straight-arrow member of law enforcement. Per the outlet, "His attempts to walk the line between law enforcement and local loyalty gave Hale a unique moral tension, a theme that would later become a cornerstone of Taylor Sheridan's Western shows."
It is worth noting that Sheridan was solely acting in the drama. His responsibilities did not include any behind- the-scenes work.
There Was A Game-Changing Development For Him
Sheridan's character died in the third season's opening episode. Evidently, he was unhappy with the manner in which the role ended, plus the negative financial impact it had on him. Sheridan then left acting and focused on writing. He was reportedly disgruntled with having little input into the character and also making meager money, according to the outlet. "His experiences as a powerless actor in a high-stakes drama helped form his no-compromise approach as a writer."
The characters in Yellowstone fiercely want to control their destiny and livelihood. That attitude was reportedly bred from Sheridan's own experience acting on Sons of Anarchy.
Some Of The 'Yellowstone' Characters Closely Resemble Those From 'Sons Of Anarchy'
Several characters in Yellowstone seem patterned after those in Sons of Anarchy. For example, patriarch John Dutton, played by Kevin Costner, resembles Clay Morrow of Sons. Rip Wheeler of Yellowstone can be likened to Opie on Sons.
As the outlet summarized, "Taylor Sheridan's Western shows thrive on the same dramatic tension that powered Sons of Anarchy: the cost of power, the fragility of family, and the violence that legacy demands."
