Before ‘Yellowstone,’ Taylor Sheridan Made an Appearance in a ‘CSI’ Series

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  • Taylor Sheridan Was Soon the Main Man of Interest
  • He’s Come a Long Way Since ‘CSI’

Currently, he is famously recognized as the brain behind the acclaimed “Yellowstone” series and holds high esteem as a screenwriter and director with an impressive collection of honors. Yet, prior to this level of recognition, for quite some time, Taylor Sheridan, then relatively unknown, was steadily establishing himself in Hollywood. He landed minor roles in productions such as “Walker Texas Ranger” and even had a brief stint on “Star Trek: Enterprise”. These were the types of jobs that marked his acting résumé during the late ’90s to early ’00s.

Previously, it was unbeknownst to numerous viewers that Sheridan, an incredibly gifted filmmaker, had been hiding in plain sight for years. But all of that shifted dramatically once he penned his debut feature film, the critically-adored “Sicario”. This marked the beginning of a Writers Guild of America nomination for Best Original Screenplay, solidifying his status as more than just a television actor. As his triumphs as a writer and director have grown exponentially since then, it’s often easy to overlook the many roles he took on during his early career.

Among them hails from the widely acclaimed CSI series, a television saga that has become as legendary as Yellowstone is synonymous with Sheridan. As the versatile actor expands his own TV dominion, let’s revisit the solitary stint he had on CSI: NY and witness the remarkable transformation in his career since then.

Taylor Sheridan Made Many TV Appearances in the Early ’00s

2005 marked a time when Taylor Sheridan’s extraordinary talent was yet to be fully recognized by Hollywood and its audience. By then, he had already made numerous guest appearances, taking on minor roles in popular shows such as “Party of Five,” “The Guardian,” and “NYPD Blue.” During this phase, police procedurals set in New York appeared to be a good fit for him, leading him to follow up his role in “NYPD Blue” with a single appearance on “CSI: NY” the following year.

As I stepped into the shoes of Joel Banks, the episode titled “Supply and Demand” unfolded in January 2006. The CSI team, under the leadership of Detective Mac Taylor (portrayed brilliantly by Gary Sinise), was investigating a gruesome murder – a young student found brutally beaten and shot to death in his apartment. At first glance, it seemed like a drug-related incident gone awry, but as we dug deeper, the story took an intriguing turn. The plot thickened when we discovered that the victim shared an apartment with a missing female roommate. Little did we know then, but my character would soon prove to have a crucial part in the unfolding events.

Taylor Sheridan Was Soon the Main Man of Interest

At first, it appeared as though Joel Banks had little to do with the victim’s demise, but as the story unfolded, his questionable dealings began to paint a different picture. Ultimately, it was revealed that Joel, contrary to being a handbag merchant, was a drug dealer who had inadvertently supplied drugs to the victim’s roommate. In an unexpected twist, it was discovered that Joel had viciously murdered the innocent roommate as a means of sending a message when he couldn’t locate his missing merchandise or her.

Taylor Sheridan delivered an impressive performance in a tough role, making it clear that a major opportunity was not too far ahead. That opportunity would materialize a few years down the line when he secured recurring roles on shows like “Veronica Mars” and “Sons of Anarchy.” Prior to this, he also made another appearance within the “CSI” universe, portraying the character Evan Peters in “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation.

He’s Come a Long Way Since ‘CSI’

From playing minor TV roles in the past, it’s astonishing to think about how significantly Taylor Sheridan has advanced his career. His rapid ascent as a writer and director in recent years has been breathtakingly swift. The 2010s were undeniably Taylor Sheridan’s decade, and many of his most notable works as a writer/director emerged following the success of Sicario in 2015. By 2017, with the creation of Yellowstone, it’s clear that he has firmly established himself as one of the most memorable showrunners of the 21st century thus far.

Among numerous luminaries, Sheridan garnered particular acclaim from Kevin Costner, before their publicized disagreements during the final season of Yellowstone. Prior to their professional rift, Costner consistently praised Sheridan’s abilities with great admiration.

From Taylor’s perspective regarding films, there’s a strong possibility that he could surpass all the individuals he admires.

Regrettably, even though both men contributed significantly to the success of “Yellowstone” and the colossal franchise it created, their falling out and its impact somewhat dampened the excitement surrounding the final episode. However, there’s no denying that Sheridan has since established himself as a powerhouse, earning greater recognition for his guest appearances on various other shows he produces.

Stepping into the limelight as a film and TV critic, I can’t help but marvel at the prolific career of Taylor Sheridan. Beyond the glitz and glamour of his Yellowstone franchise accolades, his portfolio brims with other exceptional films and series that have left audiences spellbound.

Take, for instance, Hell or High Water – a masterpiece that earned him nominations for every major writing award under the sun, even snagging an Academy Award nod. But Sheridan’s prowess doesn’t stop there; he’s also the creative force behind Tulsa King and Lioness, two more hit shows that have captivated viewers across the globe.

Beyond his acting roles, it appears Taylor Sheridan’s audience has plenty to anticipate given his reputation as one of the busiest showrunners in the industry, always eager for screenwriting opportunities. It’s clear that he’s moved past portraying characters like Joel Banks now. CSI: NY is currently available for streaming on Paramount+.

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2025-01-13 04:01