The Wild Rise of Yellowstone: How Taylor Sheridan's Show Bucked the Odds

Written By Dara Singh

[{"selector":"#anim-f0f0bfd3-f894-47de-b4c0-eb2a44ca5670 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Yellowstone was created by Taylor Sheridan and John Linson for Paramount Network.

[{"selector":"#anim-4e055b2c-daf8-458d-88af-0033be1db43a [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] The neo-Western stars big names like Kevin Costner, Luke Grimes, and Kelly Reilly.

[{"selector":"#anim-19eb4abf-2c94-46d0-8672-c80892d2b16b [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] The show has become a huge hit, with 5 successful seasons aired so far.

[{"selector":"#anim-e6d5ad2a-3afd-4b6a-bb2a-a31ff52d32aa [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Initially, Sheridan pitched Yellowstone to HBO executives.

[{"selector":"#anim-62d9599a-ded3-4333-be3b-3c79befe3bd6 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] HBO passed on the show, with executives claiming the premise should just be "a park."

[{"selector":"#anim-a6a96bba-0f29-4bdd-8361-72f163223ea1 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Undeterred, Sheridan brought the show to Paramount Network.

[{"selector":"#anim-c542f827-b9b8-4aec-a851-0c145b4e52ad [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Yellowstone premiered in 2018 and was an instant ratings smash for Paramount.

[{"selector":"#anim-e81fb73d-0885-4bdf-ad7f-390d8dcbbc3a [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] The show's season 4 finale drew over 9 million live viewers.

[{"selector":"#anim-cfd3381a-9674-476e-b2bb-9c221118ddcc [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Its success helped establish Sheridan as an A-list showr unner.

[{"selector":"#anim-15d34d7a-f867-40ed-80f8-18387b7d724a [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Despite the early doubts, Yellowstone has become a prime example of an underdog show finding its audience.