Taylor Sheridan’s journey from a struggling actor to a towering figure in Hollywood is as dramatic as the plots of his creations. Best known today for his trailblazing series, ‘Yellowstone,’ Sheridan’s earlier days in the industry were marked with challenges, particularly during his stint on ‘Sons of Anarchy.’ His experiences on the show, combined with his later success, culminate in a scene from ‘Yellowstone’ that fans and critics alike view as a masterful stroke of revenge.
A Rocky Start in Sons of Anarchy
In 2008, Taylor Sheridan joined the cast of ‘Sons of Anarchy,’ a series revered for its intense portrayal of an outlaw motorcycle gang in California. Sheridan was cast as Deputy Chief David Hale, a character who, despite his moral clarity and significant role within the story, would face an untimely and abrupt exit.
Sheridan’s departure from the series was not just a creative decision but a personal affront; he was forced out after a dispute over what he perceived as an unfair wage offer. In a revealing interview with Deadline, Sheridan expressed his frustration, highlighting how undervalued he felt:
“At that time, they were offering me what I thought was a very unfair wage. It was less than virtually every other person on the show… So, the business affairs attorney… The guy goes, ‘I know and you’re right that he probably deserves to make more, but we’re not going to pay him more because guess what, he’s not worth more’. ‘That’s what he’s worth. There’s 50 of him. He is 11 on the call sheet. That’s what that guy is, and that’s all he’s ever going to be.'”
This dismissive stance from the production left Sheridan no choice but to exit the series, setting the stage for his future endeavors and the eventual creation of ‘Yellowstone.’
Crafting Revenge in Yellowstone
‘Yellowstone,’ Sheridan’s brainchild, not only allowed him to step into the roles of a creator, writer, and director but also gave him a platform to weave his experiences into the narratives he crafted. One episode from season 3 stands out as particularly poignant—episode 4, “Going Back to Cali.” This episode is widely interpreted by fans as Sheridan’s clever retort to his ‘Sons of Anarchy’ ordeal.
The episode features a confrontation between the Dutton family and a biker gang from California—mirroring the setting of ‘Sons of Anarchy.’ The tension escalates into a fierce showdown, with Rip Wheeler, played by Cole Hauser, making a dramatic statement by smashing the bikers’ motorcycles. The scene builds up to the bikers being forced to dig their own graves, a symbolic gesture that resonates deeply with Sheridan’s own feelings of being metaphorically ‘buried’ by his former show’s producers.
While Sheridan has never confirmed that this episode was intended as revenge, the parallels are hard to ignore. The bikers, much like Sheridan once was, find themselves at the mercy of a more powerful adversary, only to be spared at the last moment—a mercy perhaps Sheridan felt he was denied during his time on ‘Sons of Anarchy.’
Legacy and Influence
Today, Taylor Sheridan’s influence extends far beyond ‘Yellowstone.’ His work has redefined the landscape of television Westerns, blending traditional themes with modern dilemmas. Meanwhile, ‘Sons of Anarchy’ continues to be celebrated as a seminal piece in the depiction of biker culture, available for streaming on Disney+.
Sheridan’s narrative, both on and off the screen, is a testament to resilience in the face of adversity. For fans, the episode “Going Back to Cali” isn’t just a piece of television drama; it’s a slice of poetic justice, served in true Hollywood style, a testament to Sheridan’s ability to transform personal slights into compelling storytelling. As ‘Yellowstone’ continues to captivate audiences, it’s clear that no one does petty—and profound—quite like Taylor Sheridan.