'Yellowstone' Creator Taylor Sheridan Hit With Lawsuit Claiming He 'Stole' Hit Show From Writer: 'Enough Was Enough'

Yellowstone creator Taylor Sheridan has been accused of stealing the idea behind the hit Western drama from a television writer.

Lauren J. Salkin filed a copyright infringement lawsuit against Sheridan, 56, in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California on Friday, August 21.

Yellowstone aired for five seasons from 2018 to 2024. The series, which starred Kevin Costner, became a massive hit, ranking among the highest-rated television shows and launching a growing universe of spin-offs.

Per documents obtained by Daily Mail, Salkin claimed she presented a full pilot, concept, storyline and pitch deck for a show titled Sovereign Nation, which she described as "dramatic television series centered on tribal governance, casino-driven economic power, and a modern war over land and development."

Salkin reportedly made the presentation to a representative at Elevate Entertainment in late 2016 to early 2017.

"This is a classic David versus Goliath situation. She spent years putting together the specific and multi-layered framework for a story that has become the biggest streaming success of all time," Salkin's lead attorney, Paul B. Lackey, said in a statement to the outlet. "She has watched the vast commercial success of this story that was stolen from her and decided that enough was enough. We will do everything in our power to get her justice."

Salkin claimed she learned on February 1, 2017, that Sheridan rejected her idea, with correspondence specifically stating, "Taylor thanks you very much for your interest. Unfortunately, he's unavailable for TV projects."

In her lawsuit, she alleged that Paramount approved Yellowstone "within months" of her pitch's rejection. She also included several "plot devices, character functions and story mechanisms" in Yellowstone that she said were parallel to Sovereign Nation.

The writer claimed the network used several of her cast recommendations as well.

Salkin also alleged that a senior executive at HBO who reviewed her materials later told her he "recognized" the similarities between Yellowstone and Sovereign Nation.

The executive reportedly informed her they immediately "terminated Sheridan's project at HBO for that reason."

Though no amount is listed in the filing, Salkin is seeking damages and profits from the alleged copyright infringement. She also requested an injunction, which would prevent the defendants from continued use of the copyrighted material.

The filing highlighted that the Yellowstone universe — which includes spin-offs 1883, 1923, Marshals and Dutton Ranch — "has generated billions of dollars" while she has "received nothing."