Archive · 24 Aug 2026
Writer Accuses Taylor Sheridan of Stealing Yellowstone Concept
A writer named Lauren J. Salkin has filed a copyright lawsuit.
She says she shared an idea for a Western television show called Sovereign Nation in 2016.
She claims Taylor Sheridan and others later used parts of that idea for Yellowstone.
Salkin says both stories feature a tribal casino as an important center of power.
She also points to similar land deals, conflicts and dramatic scenes.
Her lawyers say the similarities are more specific than normal Western-story ideas.
Two actors she says she proposed for Sovereign Nation later appeared in Yellowstone.
The accusations have not been proven in court.
Writer Lauren J. Salkin sued Taylor Sheridan, 101 Studios, Paramount and Elevate Entertainment.
Salkin alleges she pitched her Western drama Sovereign Nation to Elevate Entertainment in 2016.
The lawsuit claims Yellowstone was developed and greenlit within months of her pitch’s rejection.
Salkin cites similarities involving casino-centered political power, land development and territorial conflict.
Her complaint also points to Danny Huston and Gil Birmingham being proposed for her project and later appearing in Yellowstone.
- Who
- Writer Lauren J. Salkin is suing Taylor Sheridan, 101 Studios, Paramount and Elevate Entertainment.
- What
- Salkin alleges that her copyrighted pitch for Sovereign Nation was used to develop Yellowstone.
- When
- Salkin says she made the pitch in 2016; Yellowstone premiered on June 20, 2018, and the lawsuit was filed on Friday.
- Where
- The pitch was submitted to Elevate Entertainment, and Yellowstone first aired on Paramount Network.
- Why
- Salkin claims the defendants copied specific creative elements, including the role of a tribal casino, land-development mechanisms and parallel character roles.
- Plaintiff
- Lauren J. Salkin
- Defendants
- Taylor Sheridan, 101 Studios, Paramount and Elevate Entertainment
- Pitched project
- Sovereign Nation
- Pitch year
- 2016
- Yellowstone premiere
- June 20, 2018, on Paramount Network
- Actors cited
- Danny Huston and Gil Birmingham
- Legal status
- The allegations have not been proven in court.