In a twist worthy of one of his own famously dramatic shows, Taylor Sheridan has shocked fans with the news that he will be leaving

behind Paramount for rival production studio NBCUniversal. As part of a massive new film and television deal, the creator, perhaps best

known for the ever-expanding Yellowstone universe, will begin developing film content for NBCUniversal (the parent company of NBC and

 

 

Peacock) next year, and television properties as well following the end of his contract with Paramount in 2028, according to a report by Puck.

The move has apparently been percolating for quite some time, with industry rumors circulating earlier this year that Sheridan could be considering a move when his separate file and TV deals at Paramount were up. David Ellison, CEO of the recently merged Paramount

 

 

Skydance Corporation, had seemingly been tamping down the speculation, saying that his “goal is to have Taylor call Paramount his home for as long as he wants to be telling stories,” earlier this summer. However Sheridan was rumored to be less than thrilled with the new regime, per Puck, after many of the executives who had previously championed him, including Chris McCarthy, were ousted, and the big ticket budgets for his shows came into question.

 

 

Though the exact sum for Sheridan’s new contract has yet to be disclosed—the number is sure to be high—Puck reported that “money wasn’t the big factor here,” noting that NBCUniversal has become a home for movie creatives like Steven Spielberg, Chris Nolan, Jordan Peele, and Chris Meledandri as well as TV stalwarts Dick Wolf and Lorne Michaels. The environment has been said to appeal to Sheridan.

So what does all of this mean for fans of Sheridan’s sprawling universe of series, including Paramount+ hits like Landman, Lioness, Mayor of Kingstown, and Tulsa King—not to mention to the multiple Dutton spinoffs currently in the works?

First and foremost, Paramount owns the rights to all of Sheridan’s current slate of shows, along with the Dutton prequel 1883 and the upcoming Tulsa King spinoff NOLA King. None of those series will be leaving the studio when Sheridan’s TV contact comes to a close, and the IP will remain with them if they choose to continue on with more series after Sheridan’s time comes to an end.

Perhaps the most pertinent of the properties will be those linked to the Yellowstone universe, including the upcoming Rip-and-Beth centered sequel under the working title Dutton Ranch and the Luke Grimes-starring CBS procedural Y:Marshals, set to debut next year.