Did Taylor Sheridan Steal the Idea for Yellowstone?

What happens when a struggling writer claims a Hollywood powerhouse stole her idea?In this episode of The Writers Hangout, Sandy takes a closer look at a lawsuit filed by writer Lauren J. Salkin, who alleges that Taylor Sheridan and others used elements of her 2016 pitch, Sovereign Nation, to create the hit series Yellowstone.Sandy breaks down a recent Variety article about the lawsuit and examines the similarities Salkin claims exist between her project and Yellowstone — including a tribal casino at the center of political and development power, disputes over reservation land, development deals, and allegedly similar character roles.But is this actually plagiarism, or could it be a case of parallel thinking — two writers independently arriving at similar ideas within the same genre?Sandy also looks at the history of Yellowstone, including Taylor Sheridan and John Linson's earlier development of the project, Sheridan's career as a screenwriter, and the challenges writers face when they believe their work has been copied.Sandy also discusses the importance of understanding how Hollywood actually works when it comes to pitches, ideas, scripts, and intellectual property.What do you think? Do you believe Taylor Sheridan stole Lauren J. Salkin's pitch, or do you think the similarities are simply examples of parallel thinking?Send your thoughts to [email protected] Writers Hangout is sponsored by the Page International Screenwriting Awards.Executive Producer: Kristen OvernExecutive Producer and Host: Sandy AdamidesCo-Host: Terry SampsonMusic: Ethan StollerIf you enjoyed the episode, please take a moment to leave a review on Apple Podcasts. And remember: Keep writing. The world needs your stories.Taylor Sheridan Accused of Stealing ‘Yellowstone’ From 2016 Pitch in Copyright Lawsuit By Jack Dunnhttps://variety.com/2026/tv/news/taylor-sheridan-accused-stealing-yellowstone-lawsuit-1236840854/