Taylor Sheridan began acting in small roles back in the 1990s, but he has become a household name as one of the most prolific television producers currently in the business. The cowboy-turned-filmmaker is the driving force behind some of the most prestigious dramas of the last decade. And, in addition to his work as a showrunner, producer, and screenwriter, Sheridan still gets in front of the cameras on occasion.
Across all of Taylor Sheridan’s TV shows to date, he has appeared on-screen in three of them. The nature and importance of these roles varies from show to show. From historical figures to Delta Force operators, Sheridan has tailored the parts specifically for himself, but which of them is the most vital? Here are all three of Sheridan’s characters in his shows ranked by how they impact their respective stories.
3. Charles Goodnight (1883)
“1883” viewers were surprised watching the episode “Lightning Yellow Hair” when Taylor Sheridan showed up as Charles Goodnight, a historical Texas cowboy who invented the chuck wagon. In a role quite different from the material he typically plays, Goodnight is a softly spoken man who aids Shea Brennan (Sam Elliott) in the capture of several cattle rustlers. He sticks around for a round-up led by Sam (Martin Sensmeier) in the following episode, “The Weep of Surrender.”
Goodnight was a Texas legend and had been a Texas Ranger prior to when we meet him in “1883.” His role as the wise old cowboy is meant to be something of a warning for Shea, hoping to direct the wagon train elsewhere due to the harsh conditions that lie ahead. By the time the two of them part ways, they both know that this will be the last they see of one another on the open trail.
Although Goodnight is an important aside for Shea’s arc, the character is more of a glimpse into the vibrant Old West world of “1883.” Not unlike Tom Hanks’ cameo as Civil War General George Meade or Billy Bob Thornton as Marshal Jim Courtright, Sheridan’s appearance as Goodnight is more in reference to American history than it is a vital step for the Duttons along their Montana-bound journey.
2. Cody Spears (Lioness)
Viewers were also surprised when Taylor Sheridan showed up during the second season of “Lioness” as self-proclaimed “man hunter” Cody Spears. A Special Forces operator and the leader of his Delta Force unit, Spears has worked alongside Joe McNamara (Zoe Saldaña) before. He’s called back in for a covert rescue mission when Congresswoman Hernandez (Czarina Mireles) is kidnapped by a Mexican cartel.
Alongside Joe and Kyle McManus (Thad Luckinbill), Spears and his team cross the border to rescue the politician before any harm can come to her at the hands of the cartel. “Beware the old soldier, he’s old for a reason,” Spears tells Joe before the operation, reminding the audience that he’s a true force to be reckoned with.
Spears is a departure from Sheridan’s typical cowboy roles, though he steps into the role with ease, showing some range. When his unit is stopped at a border checkpoint, he breaks from his serious, ready-for-action persona to feign ignorance when the patrolman asks a question in Spanish. Then, like a switch has been flipped, he gets right back to business.
Spears returned in the Season 3 premiere, “The Spider and the Fly,” once again ready to join Joe in the fight. Although Sheridan’s character isn’t a member of the Lioness team, he always makes quite an impact whenever he pops up. As perhaps the show’s most interesting recurring character, some have even called for a Cody Spears-led spin-off, though that seems unlikely.
1. Travis Wheatley (Yellowstone)
Taylor Sheridan’s most recognizable character since his time as Deputy Chief David Hale in “Sons of Anarchy,” Travis Wheatley arrives on the Yellowstone ranch in Season 1’s “Coming Home.” He is typically seen buying, trading, or riding horses. After having appeared sporadically throughout the first two seasons of “Yellowstone,” the former rodeo champion became a recurring staple during the fourth and fifth seasons, eventually aiding the Duttons in their attempts to preserve their Montana land.
Despite being one of the most annoying “Yellowstone” characters by far, Travis continued to show up in larger doses as the show went on. In Season 4, he spends a considerable amount of time training Jimmy Hurdstrom (Jefferson White) down south in Texas. By Season 5, he’s become vital to Beth Dutton (Kelly Reilly) and Rip Wheeler’s (Cole Hauser) plans to auction off all the excess inventory and livestock so they can pay off back taxes.
“He’s probably the most arrogant man I have ever met in my entire life,” Beth notes about Travis in the penultimate episode, “Give the World Away,” and she’s certainly not wrong. Still, without Travis, the Duttons may never have been able to secure the land that patriarch John Dutton (Kevin Costner) ultimately died for. As far as vital characters go, Sheridan makes Travis pivotal to the Dutton drama in the show’s eleventh hour, hence his position on our list.
