Taylor Sheridan is undoubtedly one of the most versatile storytellers in the modern entertainment industry. But while he’s widely known as the creator and showrunner behind critically acclaimed shows like Yellowstone, only his most ardent followers know that Sheridan also has a long history of appearing on-screen in various cameos and guest roles.
From his breakout as Danny Boyd on FX’s Veronica Mars to his scene-stealing turn as Travis Wheatley in Yellowstone, Sheridan has proven over and over again that he’s not just a gifted writer and director, but also a dedicated actor in his own right. He has a commanding presence on screen and a knack for inhibiting complex characters, which only complements and elevates the tone of the show he appears in.
Interestingly, Sheridan’s talents in front of the camera extend beyond his cowboy persona. He has demonstrated a remarkable range by shifting between roles that are not as dramatic to those that are extremely vulnerable. This list explores eight captivating TV characters brought to life by Taylor Sheridan, ranked from good to great.
8
Corporal Winters
‘Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman’ (1997)
Created by Beth Sullivan and starring Jane Seymour in the lead role, Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman took little time to establish itself as a beloved staple of American television. Set in the picturesque town of Colorado Springs, it followed Dr. Michaela Quinn who trades the comforts of her Boston life for the rugged Wild West and navigates the challenges of being a female doctor in post-Civil War society. From bringing modern medicine to the new community to grappling with issues of gender and societal change, the show explored it all and had a timeless appeal.
Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman
- Release Date
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1993 – 1997
- Network
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CBS
- Directors
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Chuck Bowman, James Keach, Gwen Arner, Alan J. Levi, Terrence O’Hara, Bethany Rooney, Jerry Jameson, Victor Lobl, Bobby Roth, Gabrielle Beaumont, Carl Binder, Steve Dubin, Harry Harris, Lorraine Senna, Michele Lee, Reza Badiyi, Richard T. Heffron
Over the course of six seasons, Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman featured a colorful cast of characters. Taylor Sheridan portrayed Corporal Winters in Season 6, Episode 3, titled “A Matter of Conscience.” It is a small role; he is the corporal who works alongside Sergeant McKay as the two deal with the new sheriff in town after the town holds an election between Hank and Daniel. Because it is a cameo, it does not affect the overall show in any way, but it’s an important early addition to Sheridan’s own lore because he made so many Western TV shows.
7
Jareb
‘Star Trek: Enterprise’ (2004)
Airing from 2001 to 2005, Star Trek: Enterprise marked a bold new era for the franchise. It was the sixth Star Trek series and a prequel to Star Trek: The Original Series. It takes viewers back in time to the earliest days of interstellar exploration, following the crew of the NX-01 Enterprise on their mission to use the first warp five capable vessels. Captain Jonathan Archer led the team as they ventured into the unknown. Even though it broke Star Trek convention, the series received a lot of praise and ultimately paved the way for the franchise’s evolution.
In Season 3, Episode 12, titled “Chosen Realm,” Taylor Sheridan plays the role of Jareb, a Triannon and a member of a religious zealot group led by Pri’Nam D’Jamat. He had a brief screen time, but he was involved in certain plot points that were important to the episode, such as taking over the science station when another character refused to attack an opponent. Sheridan’s character was eventually incapacitated in a fight. Sheridan elevated the Jareb beyond the typical “guest star” archetype by adding a layer of complexity and tension to the overall narrative.
6
Navy Captain Jennings
‘NCIS: Los Angeles’ (2011)
Within the landscape of crime procedural dramas (and its spin-offs), few have proven as enduring and beloved as NCIS: Los Angeles. Debuting in 2009, the series carved out its own niche by combining procedural storytelling and gritty realism with a heightened sense of cinematic action and character drama. Over the course of 14 seasons, the team, which includes agents with various specializations, investigates crimes like espionage and terrorism. The show has basically solidified its place as a fan-favorite in the genre.
Because of its episodic nature, NCIS: Los Angeles features a bunch of memorable guest stars throughout its run. One that stands out is Taylor Sheridan’s turn as Navy Captain Jennings in Season 2, episode 19, “Enemy Within.” The episode centers around the disappearance of a Naval lieutenant commander and how it connects with the assassination of a Venezuelan official. Sheridan’s character is a Naval Intelligence Officer in the Defense Intelligence Agency. He is the one who briefs Callum and Sam about the missing officer. He sports a Naval uniform, which is a rare and commanding look.
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5
Danny Boyd
‘Veronica Mars’ (2005 – 2007)
Veronica Mars broke the mold of typical teen dramas and delivered a show that was filled with noir-tinged mystery, sharp-witted humor, and a whole lot of intrigue. Set in the fictional town of Neptune, California, it follows the titular character, a high school student-turned-private investigator, as she unravels the many secrets and scandals of the town and those around her. Despite the setting being unassuming, the show crafted a magnetic story and ran for three successful seasons.
Kristen Bell led Veronica Mars with an infectious charm and was supported by an impressive cast. Taylor Sheridan was one of the few guest stars to appear in not one but five episodes of the show. He played Danny Boyd, a member of an Irish gang led by the Fitzpatricks and Liam’s cousin. He’s an accomplice in Liam’s antagonistic ways, works in construction, and often assists the Fitzpatricks with explosives. His menacing and nuanced turn enhances the sidekick role and shows his range as an actor.
4
Cody Spears
‘Lioness’ (2024)
Lioness, also known as Special Ops: Lioness, is an example of how Taylor Sheridan has left an indelible mark on the ever-changing world of modern television. It takes place in the high-stakes landscape of undercover CIA operations and focuses on the female operatives, known as Lionesses, who deal with threats on a global level. The show’s gripping espionage-laden narrative and edge-of-your-seat suspense was a huge triumph, which led to a renewal. Season 2 was even better in terms of action and because of the fact that it involved Taylor Sheridan’s cameo.
He appeared as Cody Spears in three episodes in Season 2 of Lioness. Spears was an Army Delta Force operator on loan to the CIA, and he was tasked with an exceptional mission to retrieve a Congresswoman from Mexico. As a seasoned manhunter, he’s both a mentor and confidant. He brings a sense of grit and determination to the team. Sheridan’s performance is marked by the kind of intensity that not only matches the overall tone of the show, but elevates it.
3
Charles Goodnight
‘1883’ (2022)
The Yellowstone franchise drew in a massive viewership from fans of Westerns and historical dramas, and while the flagship series is rightfully recognized as a triumph of contemporary television, the prequel series has also earned a vital spot in Taylor Sheridan’s body of work. Set against the backdrop of the American West, 1883 is a sweeping saga of the Dutton family and their harrowing struggle as they venture into the West in search of a new life. From the dangers faced by the Dutton pioneers on their journey from Tennessee to Montana to the realistic portrayal of frontier life, the series adds richness and depth to the universe.
1883
- Release Date
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2021 – 2021
- Network
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CBS
- Showrunner
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Ron Burkle
- Directors
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Ron Burkle
- Writers
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Ron Burkle
1883 is populated with a lot of unforgettable characters, such as Tim McGraw as James Dutton and Faith Hill as Margaret Dutton. Taylor Sheridan takes the opportunity to guest star in two episodes of the spin-off as Charles Goodnight. In Episode 7, “Lightning Yellow Hair,” he arrives just in time to aid James and Elsa in a critical battle against bandits. He’s portrayed as Shea’s old friend and a cattle rancher who chases after cattle thieves. The character is based on a real person, and with Sheridan playing the role, there’s a sense of honor and justice made to history.
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2
David Hale
‘Sons of Anarchy’ (2008 – 2010)
The FX series, Sons of Anarchy is a crime drama that plunges viewers into the dangerous world of the Sons of Anarchy Motorcycle Club Redwood Original (SAMCRO), a California-based outlaw motorcycle gang. Jax Teller, a man in his 30s and the vice president of the club, navigates the challenges of parenthood along with maintaining the legacy of his father’s motorcycle club. It’s a Shakespearean exploration, with the struggles of rival gangs, internal power dynamics, and a relentless sense of dramatic tension taking the narrative forward.
The show creates an ever-shifting, fast-paced web of loyalty and betrayal, and it has perfectly cast its characters to depict the moral ambiguity within. Taylor Sheridan has a recurring role as Deputy David Hale, which is vital to the storyline since the gang often operates alongside the local Police Department. He is a pragmatic and principled police officer who takes decisions by the books and has a squeaky clean image, which also grants him the nickname “Captain America.”
1
Travis Wheatley
‘Yellowstone’ (2018 – 2024)
The Dutton family’s saga has become a culturally impactful addition on television, with Taylor Sheridan’s Yellowstone being the first show to pull viewers into the breathtaking modern American West and the brutal struggle to gain control over its resources. Yellowstone centers around the Dutton family, led by patriarch John Dutton, as they fight to protect their ranch from being encroached on. As a family, they also survive rivalry from other ranchers and conflicts with land developers. As a launching pad for many, Yellowstone only grew in scope and ambition thanks to its ensemble of richly drawn characters.
It’s fascinating how each new addition to the cast added layers of complexity to the Yellowstone lore, and Sheridan is not just a behind-the-camera part of it. He plays a character named Travis Wheatley in nine episodes. Wheatley is a rugged horse trader, owner of The Four Sixes (6666) Ranch, and an acquaintance of John Dutton and the family. It’s an authentic acting experience for him because he’s not only the real owner of the ranch, but also has experienced the cowboy way of life.
This story originally appeared on Movieweb
