Ever since the success of “Yellowstone,” Taylor Sheridan’s shows have been a fixture of Paramount+’s slate. From multiple series fleshing out the “Yellowstone” universe, like “1923” and “1883,” to other western-style shows like “Landman” and “Mayor of Kingstown,” Sheridan’s shows have amassed immense popularity and decent critical reception. Yet even with notable industry support, the Emmys have yet to recognize a single one of his works above-the-line. His shows have the viewership, the audience passion, and the industry support. So what’s missing? And could this curious trend change with his two contenders this year, “Landman” and “The Madison?”
I’d like to first dive into every Sheridan show with industry support chronologically, starting with “Yellowstone.” In 2022, “Yellowstone” season 4 was recognized at the PGA, Critics’ Choice, and Actor Awards for their top drama series honors. It is odd for shows to suddenly gain industry passion four seasons into their run after previously being ignored, but its fourth season was particularly successful for Paramount. Its season finale broke viewership records, and the season as a whole was very well received by fans. Yet despite the show’s newfound accolades, the series shockingly failed to translate this passion into a single Emmy nomination for season 4, missing out on Outstanding Drama Series alongside shows like “Euphoria” and “Yellowjackets.” This was not the end of “Yellowstone”’s awards journey, however, as it managed a Golden Globe win for its final season. Kevin Costner shockingly beat Bob Odenkirk and Adam Scott to win a Best Actor in a Drama Series trophy! Yet neither Costner nor any of the main cast received Emmy nods for a single season of “Yellowstone.”
That same winter awards season, another Sheridan show pulled off an acting upset over a widely presumed frontrunner. “Yellowstone” prequel “1883” won an Actor Award for its lead, Sam Elliott, despite Evan Peters seeming like the odds-on favorite for his chilling turn in “Dahmer: Monster – The Jeffrey Dahmer Story.” What made this win stranger was that, half a year earlier, Elliott’s performance failed to snag an Emmy nomination. Some parts of the industry are clearly ardent enough Sheridan fans to not only keep up with his shows but even award them top prizes. But the overlap between those fans and the Television Academy seems curiously small. The only Emmy nominations “1883” managed were for Music Composition and Cinematography.
This brings us to the 2026 Emmys, where two Sheridan shows are currently in contention: “Landman” and “The Madison.” “Landman” season 1 was a bit of an also-ran despite its immense viewing numbers, but season 2 surprisingly received nominations at the Actor Awards for Best Ensemble for a Drama Series and Best Actor for a Drama Series. Billy Bob Thornton’s nomination is particularly surprising because he beat out Adam Scott for “Severance,” the lead actor of what was presumably the runner-up to “The Pitt” at the 2025 Emmys. An Ensemble nomination at the Actor Awards is typically a good sign for a Series nomination at the Emmys, though shows like “Bridgerton” season 3, “The Day of the Jackal” season 1, and “The Morning Show” season 2 are recent examples of shows that fell short. Yet few are predicting “Landman” to appear anywhere at the Emmys, given Sheridan’s poor track record of converting industry recognition into Emmy nominations.
On the other hand, while “The Madison” is currently untested by guilds, I believe it stands a better chance than “Landman” of earning recognition from the Television Academy. Michelle Pfeiffer is fantastic, as usual, as a woman struggling in the face of an unimaginable loss. The field for Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series is quite weak at the moment, and she gives the kind of well-watched, well-liked performance from a well-known actress that could help her slip into a relatively open category. While she has never been nominated for an Emmy before, the buzz she also has for “Margo’s Got Money Trouble” should further help pave the way for this nomination. But even if she misses the nod in July, I feel fairly confident in saying she will get nominated at either the Globes—a voting body that has historically loved Pfeiffer—or the Actor Awards.
Ultimately, as popular as shows like “Yellowstone” and “Landman” are, the lack of perceived prestige is what is standing in the way of these types of shows. Most Emmy nominees have a combination of strong viewership, strong critical reception, and some kind of perceived capital “I” importance or cultural relevance. Take “Succession,” for instance, which pulled in far smaller numbers than any of Sheridan’s hit shows. But it was still a highly discussed show that was frequently featured in the trades while airing and felt like event television. Its commentary on how elites exploit the working class and one other gripped audience members and industry alike, and when landmark episodes like “Connor’s Wedding” aired, everyone knew it. Sheridan’s shows certainly appeal to their target audience and bring in immense eyeballs every week, but rather than being shows many people have seen, they must be shows many people need to see to be in serious Emmy contention. I firmly believe that the first Sheridan show to receive serious Emmy recognition will be the first Sheridan show to either break into the cultural zeitgeist in a major way—more so than even “Yellowstone”—or receive undeniable critical acclaim that keeps it in best of the year discussions, because the only thing standing in these shows’ way is the lack of conversation around them.
Do you think “The Madison” or “Landman” will be major players at this year’s Emmy Awards? Why do you think Sheridan’s successful shows haven’t been fully embraced by the Television Academy? Please let us know in the comments section below and on Next Best Picture’s X account and check out our latest Emmy predictions here. Please also be sure to subscribe to the Next Best Series Podcast, where we are conducting a number of interviews with Emmy contenders throughout the awards season and discussing the race over the next couple of months.
