In a week that saw Paramount’s new leadership take center stage in Los Angeles, the name Taylor Sheridan echoed through the halls as executives praised the prolific showrunner’s impact on the company’s streaming and television fortunes. With Skydance’s recent takeover of Paramount Global now complete, the newly combined entertainment giant is making bold moves—and Sheridan’s universe of hit series sits at the heart of its strategy.
Paramount’s Chair of Direct-to-Consumer, Cindy Holland, didn’t mince words: “On Paramount+ today, we have a really great foundation, which is the Taylor Sheridan universe.” Her enthusiasm was echoed by David Ellison, the new CEO of Paramount, who described Sheridan as “a singular genius with a perfect track record,” according to Deadline. This level of public praise isn’t just corporate flattery—it signals a renewed commitment to high-profile, high-performing original content as the company enters a new era.
It’s not hard to see why. Every Taylor Sheridan show to date has performed well for Paramount, with all—except for the flagship Yellowstone—continuing into multiple seasons. Yellowstone itself remains ongoing, a testament to its enduring popularity. The studio’s confidence in Sheridan’s storytelling prowess is so strong that sources confirmed to Deadline that two of his shows, The Madison and Special Ops: Lioness, are set to receive new season orders. The Madison, starring Michelle Pfeiffer and billed as a heartfelt study of grief and human connection, is expected to secure an early renewal for a second season even before its debut on Paramount+. Meanwhile, Lioness, which draws inspiration from a real U.S. military program and stars Zoe Saldaña and Nicole Kidman, is finally getting its long-awaited third season. The path to this renewal was not without hiccups—while Saldaña already had a three-season deal, Kidman’s contract required renegotiation, contributing to the delay.
These new seasons won’t just be business as usual—they’ll be among the first productions to make use of a brand-new, state-of-the-art 450,000-square-foot production campus in Fort Worth, Texas. Nestled within the sprawling 27,000-acre AllianceTexas development, the facility is the largest operating studio in Texas and represents a partnership between SGS Studios (Sheridan’s own company, co-founded with 101 Studios CEO David Glasser), Paramount Television, and Hillwood, a Perot Company. Filming at the campus began in March 2025 with the second season of Landman, Sheridan’s drama starring Billy Bob Thornton. According to Glasser, Landman Season 2 is just one of four Sheridan-led shows set to shoot in Fort Worth this year. The Madison’s second season will begin filming in September, followed by Lioness Season 3 in October.
For Paramount, this is more than a production shuffle—it’s a clear investment in infrastructure and creative talent. The Fort Worth campus is expected to become a hub for high-quality, large-scale TV production, drawing not just Sheridan’s projects but potentially other major series as the company ramps up its output. As Glasser revealed, “We can just make this his home for as long as he wants to tell stories,” a sentiment Ellison echoed when he confirmed that Sheridan’s current deal with Paramount runs through 2028, with the door open for further extension.
This renewed focus on original series comes at a pivotal time for Paramount. As reported by Deadline, Ellison has made it clear that he’s “looking long-term” and focused on “creating value for our shareholders.” The company is also making headlines for its $7.7 billion, seven-year deal for UFC streaming rights on Paramount+, a move that puts it squarely in the middle of America’s sports streaming wars. Cindy Holland, now overseeing streaming strategy, has been candid about her plans to leverage both established franchises and new originals to keep Paramount+ competitive.
Yet, the company’s transformation isn’t without controversy. Ellison has ruled out making political statements, especially amid scrutiny over a $16 million payment made to former President Donald Trump in the final days of Shari Redstone’s leadership. Legal drama continues to swirl, with fund manager and Paramount investor Mario Gabelli suing Redstone over $2.4 billion in proceeds from the Skydance deal. Meanwhile, Paramount is reportedly considering whether to merge its FAST platform Pluto with Paramount+, a move that could have significant implications for the streaming landscape.
Despite these challenges, the energy around Sheridan’s projects is palpable. The Madison, executive produced by Sheridan, Glasser, John Linson, Art Linson, Ron Burkle, Bob Yari, David Hutkin, Christina Voros, Michael Friedman, Pfeiffer, and Keith Cox, explores the emotional journey of a New York City family as they navigate loss and connection in Montana’s Madison River valley. Lioness, inspired by an actual CIA military program, follows Joe (Saldaña) as she juggles personal struggles with the high-stakes world of counterterrorism. Sheridan, Glasser, Saldaña, Kidman, Burkle, Yari, Hutkin, Jill Wagner, David Lemanowicz, Geyer Kosinski, Michael Friedman, and Cox all serve as executive producers on the series.
As for Landman, the show delves into the lives of Texas oil workers, with Billy Bob Thornton leading the cast. Its second season’s production at the new Texas campus marks a significant milestone—not just for Sheridan but for the state’s ambitions to become a central player in the U.S. film and television industry. The scale of the Fort Worth operation, and the confidence Paramount is showing in its creative partners, signals a new chapter for both the studio and the region.
It’s a busy time for Paramount’s leadership team as they juggle internal restructuring, legal battles, and ambitious new deals. Yet, if the buzz around Taylor Sheridan’s expanding universe is any indication, the studio may have found its North Star. With multiple new seasons in the pipeline, a cutting-edge production hub in Texas, and a creative partnership that shows no signs of slowing down, Paramount is betting big on stories that resonate—and on the storytellers who know how to deliver them.
In the ever-shifting world of television, few things are certain. But for now, Sheridan’s universe looks set to remain a cornerstone of Paramount’s streaming and broadcast strategy, offering audiences a steady stream of compelling drama—and giving the company a much-needed shot of momentum as it charts its new course.
