Taylor Sheridan Shows Worth Watching: Yellowstone & Tulsa King
If you are wondering whether Taylor Sheridan’s shows like Yellowstone and Tulsa King are worth your time, the short answer is yes—especially if you enjoy character-driven dramas with strong senses of place. Yellowstone is a modern Western about a Montana ranching family fighting to keep its land, while Tulsa King is a fish-out-of-water crime comedy-drama about a New York mobster starting fresh in Oklahoma. Both are produced by Sheridan and share his signature gritty dialogue and cinematic landscapes, but they offer very different tones and pacing.
What Is Taylor Sheridan’s Creative Signature?
Before deciding if these shows are for you, it helps to understand what Sheridan brings to the screen. He first made his name as an actor, but his writing career took off with the 2015 film Sicario, followed by Hell or High Water (2016) and Wind River (2017). Those movies established his recurring themes: the clash between tradition and modernity, the erosion of rural communities, and the moral gray zones where his characters operate.
In television, Sheridan applies that same lens to serialized storytelling. His shows tend to feature:
- Stunning outdoor cinematography, often shot on location in Montana, Texas, or Oklahoma.
- Slow-burn plots that prioritize character over constant action.
- Dialogue that feels natural and often profane, with characters speaking in short, blunt sentences.
- Ensemble casts with strong, morally ambiguous leads.
If you liked his films, you will likely find his TV work familiar. If you have never seen anything by him, Yellowstone is the best entry point because it is the most representative of his style.
Yellowstone: The Flagship Modern Western
Yellowstone premiered in 2018 on the Paramount Network and quickly became one of cable television’s biggest hits. The series stars Kevin Costner as John Dutton, the patriarch of a family that owns the largest contiguous ranch in the United States. The ranch borders Yellowstone National Park and is under constant threat from land developers, a Native American reservation, and the federal government.
The show is essentially a family saga wrapped in a Western. John Dutton’s children—Kayce, Beth, and Jamie—each represent different approaches to preserving the ranch: physical force, ruthless business tactics, and legal maneuvering. The conflict between them drives much of the drama, alongside external enemies like the Market Equities corporation and the Broken Rock Indian Reservation’s new casino plans.
What makes Yellowstone worth watching is its refusal to paint anyone as purely good or evil. The Duttons break laws and hurt people, yet you still root for them because their love for the land feels genuine. The show also gives significant screen time to the ranch hands, particularly the character Rip Wheeler, whose loyalty to John provides some of the most emotional moments.
One thing to note: the show is violent and often bleak. If you are sensitive to graphic content, it may not be for you. However, the violence is rarely gratuitous; it usually serves to show the high stakes of the land dispute.
Tulsa King: A Lighter Crime Comedy
Tulsa King premiered in 2022 and is a deliberate departure from Sheridan’s usual tone. It stars Sylvester Stallone as Dwight Manfredi, a New York mafia capo who is released from prison after 25 years and sent to Tulsa, Oklahoma, to set up a new criminal operation. The twist is that Tulsa is not exactly a mob-friendly city, and Dwight must build his crew from scratch, often recruiting unlikely locals like a bartender, a dispensary owner, and a horse trainer.
The show is more comedic than Yellowstone, with a fish-out-of-water premise that allows for humor about Oklahoma’s culture versus New York’s. Stallone brings a charm and vulnerability to the role, which is a change from his action-hero persona. The series also benefits from a strong supporting cast, including Martin Starr as a pot dispensary owner and Jay Will as a young driver who becomes Dwight’s right-hand man.
If you are looking for something less heavy than Yellowstone, Tulsa King is a good choice. It still has Sheridan’s fingerprints—the dialogue is sharp, and the setting is treated with respect—but the stakes are lower and the tone is lighter. The second season continues Dwight’s efforts to legitimize his business while dealing with new threats from both the mob and local rivals.
How to Choose Between Them
Your choice depends on what you value in a show. Here is a quick breakdown:
- Prefer drama with high stakes? Watch Yellowstone. It is a serious, often tense saga about power and legacy.
- Prefer a comedy-drama with a likable lead? Try Tulsa King. It is funnier and more accessible.
- Want to see Kevin Costner in a career-defining role? Yellowstone is essential viewing.
- Want to see Sylvester Stallone stretch beyond action? Tulsa King shows a more nuanced side.
If you have time, watch both. They are not connected in terms of story, though they share a creator and some thematic DNA. You can start with whichever appeals more, and then move to the other.
Common Criticisms and Misconceptions
One common criticism of Yellowstone is that it glorifies toxic masculinity and vigilantism. While the show does feature characters who take the law into their own hands, it also shows the consequences of those actions—family members die, relationships fracture, and the ranch’s future remains uncertain. It is not a simple endorsement of violence; it is a story about what people do when they feel they have no other options.
Another misconception is that Tulsa King is a straightforward comedy. It is actually a dramedy, with moments of genuine tension and sadness. Dwight’s isolation after prison is a recurring theme, and the show does not shy away from his loneliness. The humor comes from the situation, not from mocking the characters.
Some viewers also assume that because Sheridan is behind both shows, they are interchangeable. That is not true. Yellowstone is a slow-burn family epic, while Tulsa King is a faster-paced, more plot-driven series. If you do not like one, you might still enjoy the other.
How to Watch and What to Expect
Both shows are available on Paramount+ in the United States. Yellowstone originally aired on the Paramount Network, and its first four seasons are also on Peacock due to a pre-existing streaming deal. Tulsa King is a Paramount+ original, so it streams exclusively there.
Expect each episode of Yellowstone to run about 45-60 minutes, with a season typically having 10 episodes. Tulsa King episodes are similar in length, with 9-10 episodes per season. Both shows are ongoing, so you can catch up and then join the live discussions.
If you are new to Sheridan’s work, be prepared for a certain pacing. He does not rush his stories. You will spend time watching characters work, ride horses, or simply sit in silence. That is intentional—it builds the atmosphere and makes the moments of action more impactful.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to watch Yellowstone before Tulsa King?
No. They are completely separate stories with no shared characters or plotlines. You can watch either in any order.
Is Yellowstone based on a true story?
No. The Dutton family and the ranch are fictional. However, the conflicts over land use, water rights, and Native American sovereignty are inspired by real issues in the American West.
Why is Tulsa King so popular?
It combines a beloved actor (Stallone) with a fresh setting (Oklahoma) and a mix of crime, comedy, and heart. It is also shorter and less intense than Yellowstone, making it an easier binge.
Which show has better reviews?
Both have received generally positive reviews. Yellowstone has higher ratings on sites like IMDb and Rotten Tomatoes, but Tulsa King has been praised for its lighter tone and Stallone’s performance. It is a matter of taste.
Are there any spin-offs of Yellowstone?
Yes. There are prequel series like 1883 and 1923 that tell the story of earlier Dutton generations. They are also created by Sheridan and are worth watching if you enjoy the main show.
Is Tulsa King appropriate for teens?
It is rated TV-MA for language, violence, and drug use. It is not suitable for younger viewers. Yellowstone is also rated TV-MA for similar reasons.
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