Taylor Sheridan has become one of the most influential TV show creators of today. As the creative force behind the Yellowstone universe, he has created a strong world filled with rough Western stories, deep family emotions, and historical events. A key part of this universe is 1923, which takes viewers back in time to a time when the Dutton family was facing many challenges in Montana.
With a strong cast including Harrison Ford and Helen Mirren, this season’s storylines delve deeply into political tensions, financial difficulties, and personal struggles. The 1923 Season 2 has captured the attention of viewers around the world with its strong plot and excellent production.
But one thing surprised everyone amid such a huge and spectacular production: Taylor Sheridan was never seen on set during the shooting of this season. For a creator who is deeply involved in every project he does, his absence raises questions.
Why has Taylor Sheridan never visited the 1923 season 2 set?
While many showrunners prefer to be in every scene, Taylor Sheridan chose a different path. His absence from the set of 1923 Season 2 wasn’t a sign of distance; it was a sign of trust. He handed the threads of the show to his longtime collaborator and trusted director Ben Richardson, with whom he’s worked on several projects.
Actor Jerome Flynn, who plays Banner Cretton on the show, said Sheridan and Richardson have a strong creative relationship. In a interview with Town and Country Magazine, Jerome Flynn stated,
“He’s so close to Ben (Richardson) the director – who directed every episode that they work together as a team, and he trusts him implicitly,”
“Taylor’s so busy working on the plethora of other stuff that’s coming through him. No, we never saw him on set” he further added.
It wasn’t handed over for nothing. Sheridan was very active behind the scenes he wrote scripts, set the story line, and maintained continuity in the Yellowstone universe. But with multiple series working simultaneously, like Landman and Lioness, he delegated some responsibilities to trusted members of his team.
Ben Richardson stepped in as not just a director, but a creative partner this season. Sheridan’s storytelling style is evident in every scene, every performance, and every emotional moment even if he wasn’t there on set himself.
How did 1923 Thrive Without Taylor Sheridan on Set?
Taylor Sheridan isn’t just the writer of 1923, he’s the creator of an entire story universe. As new spin-offs and series are being produced under his name, his time has become more and more fragmented. This increased workload prevents him from being on every set.
The 1923 Season 2 was just one part of his schedule. He’s developing projects based on several different timelines and themes at the same time while also making sure each story maintains the depth and tone that viewers have come to expect from him. Taking a break from filming wasn’t a decision he made lightly; it was a necessary change, especially for someone who handles so many creative responsibilities at once.
Even though he wasn’t on set, his presence is felt in every episode. Season 2 sees the Dutton family’s fight to save their land escalate with personal sacrifice and deeper emotional layers. The backdrop of the Great Depression and the presence of powerful adversaries like Donald Whitfield make the story even more tense.
While some viewers may have missed Sheridan, it didn’t have a negative impact on the show. Rather, it proved that his storytelling way is just as strong without his direct presence. His scripts, his vision, and his team, all combined to make 1923 Season 2 the powerful force that viewers have come to expect.
And as the season finale approaches on April 13, one thing is clear, Sheridan may be at the helm from afar, but the path he’s forging remains just as bold and impactful today.