Cormac McCarthy Loved The Shows Taylor Sheridan “Tried to Make Good”

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It’s crazy to think that just sixteen years ago, Taylor Sheridan was actually fighting with the people making Sons of Anarchy over his contract – and didn’t win! Now, he’s become one of the biggest names in TV, honestly. He’s created so many shows in a short time and built a huge fanbase. Though, if I’m being honest, not everything he does clicks with me – I only really love about three of his series.

Taylor Sheridan’s shows are known for being highly entertaining, but they sometimes receive criticism for being overly dramatic and including storylines that are considered shocking or pointless. This is reflected in their mixed reviews on sites like Rotten Tomatoes – some seasons are praised, while others are poorly received. Sheridan himself has said he put extra effort into two specific series, and these were the ones that impressed the acclaimed American author Cormac McCarthy, which was a significant achievement for him.

Cormac McCarthy’s Books Have Been Adapted Several Times

Cormac McCarthy was a versatile author, but he’s particularly known for his Western and neo-Western novels – a key reason why Taylor Sheridan admires his work. His most famous books include Blood Meridian and No Country for Old Men. The Coen Brothers turned No Country for Old Men into an Academy Award-winning film, often considered their masterpiece. Other novels adapted for the screen are The Road, All the Pretty Horses, and Child of God.

I was really saddened to hear about Cormac McCarthy’s passing in 2023. Taylor Sheridan, the writer and director, spoke about him in an Esquire interview, saying McCarthy had always been a huge inspiration. But the coolest part, for Sheridan, was finding out that McCarthy actually liked his work. He told the interviewer…

I was happy to find out he enjoyed the shows I worked on, like ‘1923’ and ‘1883’. While I always aimed to make ‘Yellowstone’ entertaining, it often ignored traditional storytelling techniques. Honestly, it sometimes felt like we were just trying to appeal to viewers with dramatic scenes, including a lot of beautiful shots of horses at sunset.

People have taken Taylor Sheridan’s comments to mean he intentionally varies the quality of his work, or that he dislikes most of his shows. But that’s not what he meant. For years, critics have pointed out that Sheridan reliably delivers solid, well-made shows, but they often lack depth and artistic complexity. When he talked about focusing on “things that I actually tried to make good,” he was referring to his recent effort to create TV shows with the ambition and quality needed to win awards like an Emmy, responding to that past criticism.

It’s a frequent pattern in Hollywood: when popular actors or directors face criticism, they often try to demonstrate their range. A good example is Dwayne Johnson attempting a gritty, independent film after being labeled a stiff performer. This strategy doesn’t always pay off – Johnson likely hoped for an Oscar, but didn’t receive one. Similarly, Sheridan probably aimed for an Emmy, though he only received nominations. Ultimately, earning the respect of a respected colleague like McCarthy was more valuable to him than any award.

What Makes ‘1883’ and ‘1923’ Better than Other Taylor Sheridan Shows?

Many viewers, including Kevin Costner, are big fans of both 1883 and 1923. Most agree these are Taylor Sheridan’s strongest shows when it comes to storytelling. What sets them apart? Their focused length is a key factor. 1883 was always planned as a limited series with a clear beginning and end. Unlike these, Sheridan often develops his other shows as they go, which can lead to them becoming overly long and repeating plot points. Ultimately, all of his shows explore similar ideas of struggle, loss, and finding hope.

Compared to shows like Yellowstone and Mayor of Kingstown, 1923 has a concise story despite being a bit longer with two seasons. It effectively explores the difficulties faced after World War I, both financially and emotionally. Stretching the series beyond two seasons could have led to plot problems, especially since the second season’s villain storyline with Timothy Dalton was already becoming unusual.

Both 1883 and 1923 are traditional Westerns that appeal to longtime fans of the genre. While newer Westerns are enjoyable, there’s a special charm in seeing stories set in a time of horses, farms, and a world without modern technology. Like classic Westerns, these shows feature difficult journeys, a realistic portrayal of the Old West’s dangers, and stunning, unforgiving scenery.

Both 1883 and 1923 featured outstanding acting. Harrison Ford and Helen Mirren consistently deliver exceptional performances, with Mirren’s work in 1923 being particularly memorable. In 1883, Sam Elliott, Tim McGraw, and Faith Hill gave performances that surpassed those in Yellowstone or Landman. Elliott received a nomination from the Screen Actors Guild Awards, and Mirren was honored by organizations like the Golden Globes and Critics’ Choice Awards.

Taylor Sheridan and Cormac McCarthy Are Both Rule-Breakers

Cormac McCarthy was known for his unique writing style, often ignoring traditional rules of grammar and punctuation. Similar to Richard Sheridan, he frequently set his stories in the countryside. He was also a remarkably hard worker, as noted by The Texas Observer, often juggling multiple books and screenplays at the same time.

He was incredibly productive, working on four different writing projects at once in the mid-2000s. He dedicated at least two hours each day to each one. What’s really remarkable is that he also handled all the editing himself, often spending years perfecting a manuscript before he felt it was ready to be published.

This is typical of Sheridan, who usually juggles several projects at the same time. He’s famous for finishing his scripts and sending them straight to directors and actors, skipping long meetings with the network. His shows also don’t follow a strict format – some episodes are quite long, while others are shorter.

Shortly after the release of Hell or High Water, Sheridan told Creative Screenwriting:

I’m heavily influenced by writers like Coen and McCarthy, especially when it comes to character development. Larry McMurtry was amazing at quickly establishing fully realized characters, and Cormac McCarthy does that too. McCarthy’s writing is incredibly concise and has a haunting beauty; he’s truly gifted.

Beyond beautiful language and scenery, Sheridan’s work, like McCarthy’s, presents a more realistic view of cowboys. His characters are often flawed and relatable, rather than idealized heroes. This honesty makes the stories feel truer to life, showing the full complexity of human nature. Underlying the narratives are themes of conflict and loss. It’s unfortunate McCarthy didn’t live to see more of Sheridan’s shows, but his impact on the storytelling is undeniable.

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2026-04-06 17:05