Taylor Sheridan's Favorite Western Story Was The Basis For One Of The Best Miniseries Of All Time

Taylor Sheridan, the creator of the popular Western series "Yellowstone," has stated that his favorite cowboy adventure is Larry McMurtry's novel "Lonesome Dove." This novel laid the groundwork for one of the greatest Western miniseries ever made. "Lonesome Dove" was originally published in 1985 and was re-released in 2025 to celebrate its 40th anniversary. The novel's 864-page epic explores the decline of the Old West and the people who fought to secure it.

The miniseries adaptation of "Lonesome Dove" aired in August 1989, directed by Simon Wincer. The show starred Robert Duvall as Augustus "Gus" McCrae and Tommy Lee Jones as Woodrow F. Call. The miniseries was praised for its faithful adaptation to McMurtry's prose and the stellar performances of Duvall and Jones. The four-part miniseries set a new standard for Western productions and inspired Sheridan to change his life's course.

After watching the miniseries, Sheridan revisited the novel and was profoundly moved. This experience led him to change his plans of pursuing a career in law enforcement and cattle raising. Instead, Sheridan found himself passionate about storytelling. He even named his son Augustus after Duvall's character in the film. The 1989 adaptation of "Lonesome Dove" received widespread acclaim, winning six Emmys, including Outstanding Directing in a Miniseries or a Special for Wincer.

"Lonesome Dove" set the standard for Western television and continues to be recognized as a benchmark for televised Westerns. The success of the 1989 adaptation led to the creation of a sequel, "Return to Lonesome Dove," which eventually resulted in "Lonesome Dove: The Series." Additionally, other adaptations of McMurtry's literary saga followed, including "Streets of Laredo," "Dead Man's Walk," and "Comanche Moon." Netflix recently announced a reboot of "Lonesome Dove" set to air in 2026.