If you think Taylor Sheridan is all about horses, ranches, and shootouts in the Wild West — think again. While Yellowstone might be the crown jewel of his TV empire, Sheridan’s creative mind stretches far beyond the plains of Montana. The guy has mastered the art of gritty storytelling, whether it’s set in dusty deserts or high-security prisons.
Let’s saddle up (just figuratively this time) and explore the best Taylor Sheridan TV shows that don’t involve cowboy boots or cattle branding. These series are packed with intense drama, thrilling plots, and unforgettable characters — and they prove Sheridan can do more than Westerns. Ready to expand your watchlist?
👑 Who Is Taylor Sheridan, Really?
The Man Behind the Modern Western Renaissance
Before he was the showrunner behind a billion-dollar Yellowstone universe, Taylor Sheridan was an actor grinding away in Hollywood. You might remember him from Sons of Anarchy — but his big break came as a screenwriter.
From Screenwriting to Showrunning
After penning Sicario (2015) and Hell or High Water (2016), Sheridan’s storytelling chops became undeniable. He made the leap to TV with Yellowstone and hasn’t looked back since.
🚫 Sheridan Without the Westerns — Wait, What?!
Let’s Ditch the Cowboy Boots for a Second
When most people hear “Taylor Sheridan,” they instantly picture Kevin Costner on a horse. But that’s just scratching the surface. Sheridan’s non-Western series dive into crime, politics, and psychological warfare.
📺 Top Taylor Sheridan Non-Western TV Shows
1. Mayor of Kingstown – The Prison-Industrial Thriller
Platform: Paramount+
Starring: Jeremy Renner
What’s It About?
This dark, gritty series follows the McLusky family — power brokers in a Michigan town dominated by the prison system. It’s all about corruption, survival, and navigating a world where justice is just a word.
Why It Works
Mayor of Kingstown ditches the ranch and takes us into a brutal ecosystem ruled by violence and manipulation. It’s The Wire meets Oz, but with Sheridan’s signature emotional intensity.
2. Tulsa King – Mob Drama With a Twist
Platform: Paramount+
Starring: Sylvester Stallone
What’s It About?
A mobster fresh out of prison gets sent to Tulsa, Oklahoma, to rebuild his boss’s empire — but he’s not exactly welcomed with open arms. Think of it as The Sopranos meets Yellowstone, minus the ranch.
Why You’ll Love It
Sly Stallone delivers a surprising performance that’s equal parts menacing and funny. Sheridan flexes his versatility, blending crime drama with fish-out-of-water comedy.
3. Lioness (Special Ops: Lioness) – Espionage Meets Emotion
Platform: Paramount+
Starring: Zoe Saldaña, Nicole Kidman
What’s It About?
Inspired by a real CIA program, this action-thriller follows female operatives who go undercover in dangerous missions. It’s bold, emotional, and insanely intense.
The Sheridan Signature
Even though it’s a spy drama, Sheridan’s knack for raw emotion and moral complexity shines through. He adds heart to the high-stakes world of intelligence.
4. Land Man – Big Oil and Bigger Egos
Platform: (Coming Soon)
Starring: Billy Bob Thornton
What’s It About?
Set in West Texas, this upcoming drama explores the collision of fortune, power, and disaster in the modern oil boom. Expect plenty of corporate warfare and shady deals.
The Buzz So Far
We don’t know much yet, but with Sheridan behind the script and Thornton in the lead, it’s bound to be explosive (literally and figuratively).
5. Lawmen: Bass Reeves – Historical, But Not a Western
Platform: Paramount+
Starring: David Oyelowo
What’s It About?
It follows the true story of Bass Reeves, one of the first Black U.S. Marshals west of the Mississippi. While it’s set in the 1800s, it focuses more on justice and race than traditional Western tropes.
It’s Deeper Than Cowboys
This isn’t just a shoot-’em-up show. It’s layered with powerful themes and historical relevance, proving Sheridan can handle sensitive topics with care.
🎭Why Sheridan’s Non-Westerns Still Feel Like His Work
The Signature Grit and Gray Morality
Sheridan’s characters live in the gray. Whether they’re lawmen, mobsters, or government operatives, they’re rarely clean-cut heroes. That moral ambiguity? Totally his thing.
Dialogue That Punches You in the Gut
Ever notice how his characters say a lot… without saying much? That’s Sheridan. He writes conversations like they’re sword fights — sharp, deliberate, deadly.
Cinematic Storytelling, Every Single Episode
Sheridan brings a film director’s eye to TV. Even when the setting isn’t scenic Montana, every shot looks polished, atmospheric, and intentional.
👁️🗨️ Hidden Gems: Sheridan Shows You Might’ve Missed
1883 and 1923 — Not Just Prequels
Yes, they’re technically Yellowstone prequels, but these series stand on their own. They dig into immigrant stories, generational trauma, and the price of building a legacy.
The Last Cowboy – Reality, But Make It Sheridan
A docuseries about real-life horse trainers? Yep, Sheridan made that too. It’s proof that he can even make reality TV gripping.
🤯So… Why Aren’t These Shows More Talked About?
Overshadowed by Yellowstone’s Popularity
When a show becomes a cultural juggernaut like Yellowstone, everything else gets stuck in its shadow. But that doesn’t mean these non-Western stories don’t deserve their time in the spotlight.
Not Everyone Knows Sheridan Did These
Let’s face it — if Stallone or Kidman are on the poster, people might not even realize Sheridan wrote the script. Time to give credit where it’s due!
📝 Conclusion – Sheridan’s Range Is Seriously Underrated
So, what have we learned? Taylor Sheridan isn’t just “that Yellowstone guy.” He’s a master of tension, emotion, and storytelling, no matter the setting. From mob families to CIA operatives, his non-Western shows are raw, real, and ridiculously binge-worthy.
If you’ve only seen cowboys and cattle in Sheridan’s world, it’s time to expand your view. These series prove that he’s one of the most versatile storytellers in modern TV.
