Taylor Sheridan Confirms Matthew McConaughey For Post-‘Yellowstone’ Series, But Hints That It May Be A Standalone Story

With “Special Ops: Lioness” arriving on Paramount+ next month, that marks six shows created by Taylor Sheridan on TV right now. And there’s more where than came from. “Lawmen: Bass Reeves,” Sheridan’s third “Yellowstone” spin-off, is filming now, and possibly arriving at the end of the year. And of course, there’s also the future of “Yellowstone,” with Matthew McConaughey in talks to succeed Kevin Costner as that series’ lead.

In a new talk with THR, Sheridan supplied some info on that “Yellowstone” transition, saying McConaughey is in late-stage negotiations to star in the show’s “new chapter.” “He seems like a natural fit,” Sheridan said of the actor. “We had a few conversations over the years, and spitballed a few ideas. Then he started watching “Yellowstone” and responded to it. He was like, ‘I want to do that.’ And by ‘that’ he meant diving into a raw world clashing up against the modern world. And then I said, ‘Buddy, that we can do.’“

But if McConaughey signs on, don’t expect his series to be simply the actor replacing Costner on the Dutton family’s ranch. “My idea of a spinoff is the same as my idea of a prequel — read into that what you will,” Sheridan said of the project, hinting that the spinoff may take center on a new cast and location. When asked if that means McConaughey’s show will be a standalone story, Sheridan nodded. “There are lots of places where a way of life that existed for 150 years is slamming against a new way of life, but the challenges are completely different. There are a lot of places you can tell this story.” But one things for certain: McConaughey’s show will have “Yellowstone” in its title.

As for explicit story details for the upcoming series, Sheridan admitted that he only as “the broadest strokes” of its worked out. And that’s no surprise, considering all of the different projects Sheridan works on. In their convo with Sheridan, THR also reports that he’s also back at the creative helm for two shows he developed for others to lead: “Tulsa King” with Sylvester Stallone and “Lioness.” If Sheridan serves as showrunner on those two shows on top of everything else, don’t expect McConaughey’s “Yellowstone” project to hit production soon.

Then again, Sheridan is nothing if not prolific. Would be that big of a surprise for his McConaughey team-up show to arrive on Paramount+ at the end of 2024? Let’s see if the actor indeed signs on for the project first; McConaughey’s busy on another project currently. As for “Special Ops: Lionness,” that show premieres on Paramount+ on July 23.