Writer Sues Taylor Sheridan, Claims 'Yellowstone' Was Built From Her Rejected Pitch
The suit says Sheridan copied specific expressive choices from a decade-long tribal governance drama and seeks a jury trial, injunction and damages.
- On Friday, writer Lauren J. Salkin filed a federal copyright lawsuit accusing Taylor Sheridan of stealing the concept for his hit series "Yellowstone."
- Salkin spent more than 10 years developing "Sovereign Nation," a drama about tribal governance and land wars; after submitting her pitch to Sheridan's management in February 2017, she received a rejection, and Paramount greenlit "Yellowstone" shortly thereafter.
- The lawsuit alleges "Yellowstone" mirrors "Sovereign Nation" through expressive choices including a tribal casino and 99-year lease structures; Salkin also claims Sheridan cast Danny Huston and Gil Birmingham after she suggested them in her pitch deck.
- Salkin is seeking damages, profits, and an injunction against future infringement, though representatives for Sheridan, Paramount, and NBCUniversal did not return requests for comment on Saturday regarding the legal action.
- Legal counsel for Salkin describes the case as a "David-versus-Goliath" battle; the complaint further asserts that subsequent "Yellowstone" spinoffs including "1883" are also based on her original copyrighted work.
31 Articles
31 Articles
Taylor Sheridan Accused of Stealing ‘Yellowstone’ Idea From TV Writer’s 2016 Pitch
A TV writer is suing Taylor Sheridan after claiming he stole her idea for the show that eventually became Yellowstone. Entertainment journalist Lauren J. Salkin filed a copyright infringement lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California on Friday, August 21, according to multiple outlets. The complaint, which named Sheridan, 56, […]
Taylor Sheridan accused of stealing 'Yellowstone' in new lawsuit
Taylor Sheridan has been accused of stealing the idea for the drama series Yellowstone from a pitch shared in 2016. In a new lawsuit filed on August 21st, writer Lauren J. Salkin has accused Sheridan of copying her own idea of a sprawling Western drama, Sovereign Nation, which she allegedly pitched to Sheridan’s management company, Elevate Entertainment. At the time, she was allegedly told, “Taylor thanks you very much for your interest. Unfortu…
'Sovereign Nation' was a project to which Paramount never gave green light but shares many elements with the famous modern western
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