Before creating the highly successful Western drama series “Yellowstone,” Taylor Sheridan was a significant cast member on the acclaimed TV series “Sons of Anarchy.” Up until season 3, Sheridan played the role of Deputy David Hale in the crime series. However, his time on “Sons of Anarchy” came to an abrupt end when his character was killed off in a drive-by shooting at Half-Sack’s wake.
The decision to write off Sheridan’s character was not solely driven by the needs of the story. In an interview with Deadline, Sheridan revealed that his departure from “Sons of Anarchy” was influenced by what he perceived as unfair treatment in terms of compensation. The offer made to him was considerably lower than that of almost every other cast member on the show and was insufficient for him to quit his second job.
Sheridan recalled a conversation where he was told that he wouldn’t be paid more because, in the business’s view, he wasn’t worth more. Despite acknowledging that he likely deserved more, the response he received was that he was number 11 on the call sheet and that was his perceived value. Frustrated with this assessment and not wanting to be limited to the 11th position on the call sheet, Sheridan made the decision to quit the show.
Reflecting on that moment, Sheridan stated, “I decided right there that I didn’t want to be 11 on the call sheet for the rest of my life.” This decision allowed him to shift his focus to what he identified as his true passion and talent—writing and storytelling. Subsequently, Sheridan wrote two Oscar-nominated movie screenplays and became the creator of “Yellowstone” and its spin-offs, showcasing his storytelling abilities behind the camera.
