Taylor Sheridan’s hit series Yellowstone faces a new legal challenge over its alleged origins. TV writer Lauren J. Salkin claims Sheridan took key ideas from a project she developed years earlier. Her lawsuit now asks for damages based on the success of the show. Salkin also wants to stop the defendants from using her copyrighted material.
The lawsuit alleges Lauren J. Salkin ’s pitch shared key elements with ‘Yellowstone’
According to Us Weekly, Salkin filed a copyright infringement lawsuit in California federal court on Friday, Aug. 21. She named Sheridan, his management company Elevate Entertainment, Paramount and NBCUniversal as defendants.
Salkin says she sent a completed pilot, show bible and pitch deck for Sovereign Nation to Sheridan’s representatives in late 2016 and early 2017. She described the project as a drama about tribal governance, casino power, land and development.
Salkin says she worked on the idea for more than 10 years. She claims Elevate told her in early 2017 that Sheridan had passed on the project. The alleged response said Sheridan was “unavailable for TV Projects.” Paramount then greenlit Yellowstone within months, according to the complaint.
Yellowstone premiered in 2018 and ran through 2024. The series follows the Dutton family, who own Montana’s largest ranch. Earlier, Sheridan told The Hollywood Reporter that the original idea for the project was “The Godfather in Montana.” He said HBO initially developed it before he took it to TNT and TBS and later Paramount.
Salkin also claims a senior HBO creative executive noticed similarities between her project and Sheridan’s Yellowstone concept. The lawsuit states that the executive had previously reviewed materials for Sovereign Nation. Salkin alleges the executive ended Sheridan’s HBO project because of those similarities. She also claims both shows share plot devices, story elements and character functions.
Salkin seeks damages and profits tied to the alleged infringement. She also wants an injunction against continued use of her copyrighted material. The complaint does not specify a damages amount. Her attorney, Paul B. Lackey, called the case a “classic David-versus-Goliath situation” and said they will seek justice.
