Creator Taylor Sheridan is facing a copyright infringement lawsuit, with writer Lauren J. Salkin alleging that he based his popular series "Yellowstone" on her work. Salkin claims she submitted a pilot script titled “Sovereign Nation,” along with supporting materials, to Sheridan’s production company between 2016 and 2017.
According to documents obtained by TMZ, Salkin states that she received an acknowledgement from Elevate Entertainment, Sheridan’s company, which read, “Taylor thanks you very much for your interest. Unfortunately, he’s unavailable for TV projects.” Salkin alleges that "Yellowstone" was subsequently greenlit a few months later and debuted in 2018.
Salkin is claiming that characters, storylines, and the overall tone of "Yellowstone" are similar to those in her submitted script. She has asked for an injunction to halt any current or future infringement and is seeking unspecified damages, which would include profits from the series.
Reps for Sheridan, Paramount, and NBCUniversal have not yet responded to requests for comment.
"Yellowstone" aired its fifth and final season in 2024, concluding a five-season run that began in 2018. The series has generated a franchise of spin-off shows, including "1883," "1923," "Marshals," and "Dutton Ranch."
Sheridan has previously stated that his inspiration for "Yellowstone" came from the book and miniseries “Lonesome Dove,” which he encountered in college. In a July interview, he described the show as his "punk rock" endeavor, noting its defiance and a lack of conventional plot. He has also expressed a critical view of studio executives and critics.