The Real Reason Taylor Sheridan Left Sons of Anarchy Revealed

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Since the release of Taylor Sheridan‘s 2015 hit “Sicario,” he has garnered widespread critical acclaim in Hollywood, earning recognition as a versatile figure. Following the success of films such as “Hell or High Water” and his television empire centered around “Yellowstone,” Texas-born Sheridan has solidified his reputation as a storyteller who focuses on characters. By steering clear of writer’s room constraints and challenging traditional, plot-driven norms, he has gained recognition for his unique approach to storytelling. With each new project, interest in his rise to fame continues to grow. Prior to unveiling his talent behind the scenes, Sheridan started his film career as an actor.

Initially gaining recognition through his role in FX’s groundbreaking series “Sons of Anarchy,” created and helmed by Kurt Sutter, Thomas McDonell made a name for himself portraying the character Jax Teller. This drama centered around a motorcycle club, often referred to as SAMCRO, which Jax leads following his father’s demise. Although this club serves to safeguard its Californian town from diverse threats, it also engages in illegal arms trading. As Jax grapples with the morality of the club’s criminal activities, he encounters resistance from local law enforcement, including Sheridan’s recurring character, Deputy Chief David Hale. This character functions as a counterpoint to the gang’s lawlessness, alongside Dayton Callie’s character, Chief Wayne Unser.

During the seven-season run of the series, Sheridan appeared in 21 episodes before being written off in Season 3. Previously, it was revealed by Sutter that Hale’s character was intended to be killed off as a contingency plan if contract negotiations between executives and Sheridan failed to reach an agreement. What ultimately transpired during those negotiations that resulted in Sheridan’s sudden departure from the show remains unclear.

Sheridan Thought ‘Sons of Anarchy’ was His Big Break

Similar to numerous aspiring actors, Sheridan’s early days were marked by hardship. His acting career got its big break when he made his screen debut in 1995 on the show Walker, Texas Ranger. Following this, he was given roles in several minor television appearances on shows like Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman, Star Trek: Enterprise, and Season 2 of Veronica Mars. Eventually, in 2008, he secured his first recurring role as Deputy Chief David Hale in the series Sons of Anarchy.

Sheridan thought that working with Hale could be the turning point in his career, significantly contributing to his long-held aspirations in Hollywood. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, he openly shared his ambition of becoming a cinematic success story. His ultimate plan was to achieve stardom, then retreat to a ranch where he could act in movies with Martin Scorsese whenever he desired.

Despite the popularity of the character played by Sheridan in Sons of Anarchy, his acting career didn’t progress significantly and the income from that role wasn’t sufficient to support him. Determined to keep pursuing his acting aspirations, Sheridan found it necessary to leave Sons of Anarchy eventually, as he believed this move would be beneficial for his film career in the long run.

Why Did Sheridan Leave ‘Sons of Anarchy’?

In 2010, when Charlie Hunnam, also known as Sheridan, unexpectedly left the show “Sons of Anarchy,” the show’s creator, Kurt Sutter, didn’t delve deep into the reasons behind the actor’s departure. He merely stated that there was no contractual agreement reached, leading to Sheridan leaving to explore other opportunities. However, in a 2021 interview with Deadline, Sheridan revealed the truth: At that time, he felt the salary being offered to him was unfair. Despite being a series regular, Sheridan was earning significantly less than his co-stars. With financial struggles and needing an additional job to cover his bills, he and his attorney attempted to negotiate a pay raise.

During a discussion between his attorney and an undisclosed legal representative for the series, Sheridan was informed that he “likely should earn more,” but a salary increase wasn’t on the table. The creator of Yellowstone stated that they were compensating him precisely as they valued him, which led to his resignation. It wasn’t primarily about money; it was more about how the industry perceived him. Consequently, Sheridan’s abrupt departure from Sons of Anarchy wasn’t driven by a desire for other roles.

Ultimately, he found himself underappreciated for his efforts, faced a rigid legal team, and didn’t feel appreciated within the show. Rather than staying as an “11” (lower-ranking actor) and enduring tough producers, Sheridan chose that moment to shift careers – from acting to writing – in order to have greater control over his own projects.

Sheridan Built His Own Television Empire

Rather than clinging to his aspirations for on-screen roles, Sheridan took to heart the tough criticisms he faced during his time on Sons of Anarchy. This proved to be a wise move.

Driven by a bank balance of $800 at age 40, Sheridan embarked on his work, and it wasn’t long before his writing career started to yield fruit. He recalls those early days vividly as the first script he wrote (the pilot episode for Mayor of Kingstown in 2011) opened doors for him at every significant network and agency. There were numerous attempts to purchase this script. His professional journey swiftly paved the way for success. Additionally, Sheridan wrote his first screenplay for Sicario, which he wrote on spec. Shortly after, he began working on what he thought would be an easier sell: the eventual Oscar-nominated film Hell or High Water. Before long, both scripts were sold, propelling him into critical and box office recognition.

Initially rejected by the industry as an actor, Sheridan has now risen to prominence and made a significant impact, particularly through his work on films, including the popular Western series “Yellowstone” with Kevin Costner. This show has grown into a massive TV franchise, spawning spin-offs like “1883” and “1923”. It’s worth noting that despite some challenges he faced when leaving “Sons of Anarchy”, Sheridan has since discovered his true vocation as a screenwriter, director, and producer – a development we are all grateful for.

Stream Yellowstone on Peacock and Sons of Anarchy on Hulu.

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2025-01-19 03:34