Underrated Taylor Sheridan Characters Who Deserve Their Own Spinoffs

Seen In: Yellowstone

Thomas Rainwater walks a precarious tightrope as Chairman of the Broken Rock Reservation, making him one of Sheridan's most complex characters. Played with subtle intensity by Gil Birmingham, Rainwater didn't discover his Native heritage until adulthood before rising to become a tribal leader. 

This unique position allows him to explore questions of identity and belonging from multiple perspectives. A Rainwater-centered spinoff could examine the daily challenges of tribal governance, the personal cost of his ambitions, and his delicate maneuvering within and against the system to secure his people's future.

Seen In: 1883

Before Sam Elliott's Shea Brennan led immigrants across the plains in 1883, he served as a Texas Ranger during one of the most turbulent periods in Western history. 

A prequel focusing on young Shea could show his development as a lawman during the post-Civil War era, handling border conflicts, cattle rustlers, and the changing social landscape. Themes of frontier justice would connect naturally to Sheridan's work in Lawmen: Bass Reeves.

Seen In: Yellowstone

With her nearly indecipherable Texas drawl and take-no-prisoners attitude, Teeter crashed into Yellowstone like a force of nature. Jen Landon's character quickly established herself as someone who could outwork, outdrink, and outswear most of her male counterparts. 

A Teeter spinoff might trace her journey before reaching the Yellowstone, showing how she developed the toughness required to survive in the hypermasculine world of ranching. Following her through the Texas ranch circuit could reveal formative experiences that shaped her distinctive worldview and unveil family dynamics only hinted at in her current role. 

Seen In: Yellowstone

When Angela Blue Thunder arrives at the Broken Rock Reservation, the temperature noticeably drops. Q'orianka Kilcher portrays this tribal attorney with chilling precision that suggests volumes of untold backstory. 

A spinoff centered on Angela could trace her education at prestigious law schools, battles with systemic racism, and return to her tribal community with ruthless determination. Her character represents intellectual and calculating power, and her story could explore high-stakes legal battles over tribal rights, personal vendettas, and the emotional cost of being both an outsider to her community and to the legal establishment she navigates.

Seen In: Mayor of Kingstown

Jeremy Renner's Mike McLusky served in the military before becoming Kingstown's unofficial power broker – an experience that shaped his understanding of institutional power and conflict mediation. 

A prequel series could follow Mike's time in the service, possibly in special operations or military policing, where he developed his unique skills for navigating between opposing forces. The show might reveal how deployments taught him about different power structures, formed crucial relationships, and exposed the corruption that later informed his pragmatic approach to Kingstown's prison politics.

Seen In: Yellowstone

Jimmy's transformation from directionless drug addict to capable ranch hand represents one of Yellowstone's most satisfying character arcs. Jefferson White brings vulnerable authenticity to Jimmy's journey of discovering self-worth through hard work and mentorship. 

While we've glimpsed his time at the legendary 6666 Ranch in Texas, a full series could track his continued evolution into a skilled horseman and possible rodeo competitor finding independence from the Duttons' influence. Such a spinoff might capture the cultural adjustment of a Montana ranch hand in Texas cowboy country while examining Jimmy's attempts to build a future with veterinarian Emily.