Before Taylor Sheridan became the mastermind behind “Yellowstone” and his sprawling neo-Western empire, he was a familiar face on “Sons of Anarchy.” For two seasons, he locked horns with Charlie Hunnam’s Jax Teller as the upright Deputy David Hale. But in season 3, his character departed the gritty biker drama thanks to a brutal drive-by death.Â
This ended up being a career pivot for Sheridan, and ultimately allowed him to reshape his path and craft a legacy that outshines his acting days. Here’s how that exit unfolded and why it changed TV forever.
Taylor Sheridan and ‘Sons of Anarchy’ Clashed Over Cash
Sheridan joined “Sons of Anarchy” in 2008 as Deputy Hale, a by-the-book lawman who clashed with the SAMCRO biker gang in Kurt Sutterâs Hamlet-on-wheels saga.
For 21 episodes, Hale was a thorn in Jaxâs side. The character evolved from a crime-busting idealist to a reluctant ally of white supremacists in season 2, only to betray them by seasonâs end.
Then, his arc screeched to a halt in the third episode of season 3 when a van mowed him down at a funeral, leaving his fate gruesomely clear. What fans may not know is that there was a very good reason behind his abrupt exit.
âAt 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 and not enough for me to quit my second job,” he told Deadline in 2021.
Fed up with being undervalued and number 11 on the call sheet, Sheridan walked away. This risky move set the stage for a radical reinvention.
A Career Reborn: Sheridan’s Exit Led to an Oscar Nom and a TV Empire
Sheridanâs departure wasnât just about money, though. It was more of a wake-up call that was sparked by a remark from a business affairs attorney.
âHeâs not worth more. There are 50 of him,” is the jab Sheridan heard that flipped a switch in his career and sent him down the writing path. Just three years later, his Oscar-nominated script for “Sicario” was finished and in the hands of director Denis Villeneuve. This launched a string of acclaimed films for Sheridan, which also included “Hell or High Water” and “Wind River.”
But it was the 2018 debut of “Yellowstone” that cemented his vision. His creation of the Dutton family saga, which blended ranch warfare with moral ambiguity, exploded into a cultural juggernaut. The epic western led to spinoffs like “1883,” “1923,” and the upcoming “The Madison.”
Sheridanâs exit from acting wasnât a retreat. Instead, it was a leap into storytelling and proof that he could helm a franchise bigger than Sons ever dreamed. He even snuck a sly nod to his past during “Yellowstone’s” third season, when Rip Wheeler trashed a biker gangâs motorcycles. It was a cheeky flip of Haleâs bloody end.
Taylor Sheridan Outgrew the Bikes and Redefined Television
Sheridanâs post-“Sons” career didnât just thrive, it redefined TVâs landscape. Beyond “Yellowstone,” heâs churned out hits like “Mayor of Kingstown,” “Special Ops: Lioness,” and “Landman.” All of these series have showcased his knack for complex characters caught between right and wrong — a thread he first tugged at as Hale.
While “Sons of Anarchy” peaked with seven seasons and a loyal cult following, “Yellowstoneâs” finale in 2024 capped a run that averaged 11.6 million viewers per episode, dwarfing “Sons’” audience of four to six million.Â
Sheridan’s eight TV series and six films have made him a one-man industry, far from the â11 on the call sheetâ dig.Â
The “Sheridan-verse” is available to stream on Paramount Plus, with the exception of “Yellowstone,” which is available on Peacock.
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