Taylor Sheridan’s First Western Drama Role Was 20 Years Before ‘Yellowstone’
These accomplishments have helped cement his Hollywood reputation and set the stage for his future projects. But just like any other name trying to make it big, Sheridan had humble beginnings in the dramatic Western space. Enter Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman, an award-winning TV production that aired throughout the 1990s. Running for six seasons and two small-screen movies, actress Jane Seymour played the lead as Michaela Quinn, who moved her emerging physician practice from Boston to Colorado, all during the 1860s.
‘Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman’ Could Be a Sheridan Work
By highlighting the trials and tribulations of the Industrial Revolution, showing the Indigenous struggle, and exploring Ms. Quinn’s personal relationships, the show feels like a Sheridan production — long before he began his behind-the-scenes career. Instead of being behind the camera, he actually stepped into a minor role for an episode titled “A Matter of Conscience” during the final season. It wouldn’t be far-fetched to say that Dr. Quinn is where Sheridan honed his storytelling skills in the dramatic Western genre.
Sheridan Is Actually Better Than Some of the Main Cast
This closely mirrors the complex, soap opera-like stories found in Yellowstone and its spin-offs, 1883 and 1923. You obviously won’t see the more mature themes since Dr. Quinn was on CBS during its original run. That didn’t matter to Sheridan. He honorably took on the role of Corporal Winters and stands behind Sergeant McKay. They come in to help the town during this perilous time, and it is a speaking role (appearing numerous times), so you can see how far Sheridan has come. Just don’t expect him to be guns ablazing either. Winters is more so there to show the audience that Sergeant McKay has an immediate barking order given his rank.
It would be almost 20 years before Sheridan would return to the slower-paced Western again. He wrote and had a cameo appearance in 2016’s Hell or High Water (mentioned above). This film shares some similar qualities with Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman, such as familial relationships and boiling tension. Even more of this show’s influence could be found in Wind River one year later, as well. But the fact remains.
As surprising as it may seem, Taylor Sheridan had a beginning just like any other name in Hollywood — scrounging by on the small castings until he grabbed a moment to shine and never let it go. If you want to see one of Sheridan’s earliest sightings on the small screen, Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman is available to watch on Pluto TV and Prime Video for free.
