Yellowstone creator Taylor Sheridan has unleashed a profanity-laced response to critics who argue he cannot write convincing female characters. In a rare interview on The Bill Simmons podcast, the Paramount Plus showrunner dismissed the criticism as 'nonsense' and told detractors, 'F*** ’em, honestly.'
Sheridan's Blunt Response to Critics
Speaking on the podcast, Sheridan addressed the backlash over his portrayal of women in series like Landman, where characters such as Demi Moore's have been criticized as underutilized or overly sexualized. 'The critics are going to come after me. I’m underutilising [Moore], can’t write for women, all this nonsense,' he said. 'The critics and me – I don’t care what they think, and it annoys the sh** out of them that I don’t care. I’ll be the first to tell you that there are things that I do that ragebait them a bit.'
Demi Moore's Role in Landman
Sheridan specifically addressed the criticism over Moore's role in Landman, where she played the wife of Jon Hamm's oil billionaire but had minimal screen time in the first season. He revealed that he had warned Moore before casting that she would be 'an extra in this show for seven episodes.' 'You’re an extra and the critics are going to come after me,' Sheridan recalled telling the Oscar nominee. He noted that Moore's role was expanded in the second season, which aired in 2025.
Fan Backlash and Beth Dutton Defense
Critics and fans have pointed to characters like Ainsley, played by Michelle Randolph, as examples of Sheridan's alleged inability to write women, with scenes described as a 'perverse male fantasy.' On the Landman subreddit, a thread titled 'I’m convinced Taylor Sheridan doesn’t like women' has attracted numerous complaints. However, defenders cite Yellowstone's Beth Dutton (Kelly Reilly) as a strong female character, though some argue that even Beth devolved into a 'shrieking harpy' over time. Sheridan's earlier film work, including Sicario and Wind River, has been praised for its female-led narratives.
Sheridan's Approach to Storytelling
In the same interview, Sheridan emphasized that he does not create shows to win Emmy nominations. He told Paramount executives upfront that he refused to develop projects 'as a democracy' or 'by committee.' 'You’re going to pay me and you’re going to give me a bunch of money and I’m going to deliver you these shows,' he said. 'I’m pretty common and I’m going to tell stories that common people are going to understand. That’s most of America. You’re not going to win no Emmys with me, but I’m not trying to win Emmys. That’s not my goal. My goal is to sit somebody on their couch and move them, make them think, make them laugh, scare the s*** out of them, excite them.'
Continued Popularity Despite Criticism
Despite the ongoing debate, Sheridan's shows remain immensely popular, with Yellowstone and its spin-offs drawing large audiences on Paramount Plus. The creator's indifference to critical opinion seems to resonate with his fanbase, who appreciate his focus on storytelling over awards recognition.
