The 10 Most-Hated Characters From Taylor Sheridan Shows
Taylor Sheridan’s recurring role on Lioness, an espionage thriller for which he has written every script, might’ve set off alarm bells for viewers who also saw him play one of Yellowstone’s most reviled characters. Luckily, his role as Cody Spears is a lot less hamfisted, but the actor-turned-producer has written other characters on Yellowstone and other TV shows that fans weren’t always, well, fans of.
After polling public opinion, we’ve rounded up the Sheridanverse characters that fans seem to dislike the most, grouped by TV show. (And we should note none of this is any condemnation of the actors or their abilities!)
Monica Dutton (Kelsey Asbille), Yellowstone
Putting aside the controversy around the casting of Asbille as a Native character, Monica was a repeat offender in a Reddit thread about Yellowstone fans’ least favorite characters on the show. Example complaints: “Monica kills the show.” “She’s such a drag.” “Monica is the worst.” “Can’t. Stand. Monica.” “Does nothing but whine, cry, make horrible decisions, and try to drag everyone down into her BS.”
Travis Wheatley (Taylor Sheridan), Yellowstone
Entire think pieces have been devoted to how Taylor Sheridan wrote himself into Yellowstone as a legendary horse trainer who surrounds himself with model-level women — including a girlfriend played by Bella Hadid — whom he has disrobe across multiple strip poker scenes. It’s “an almost unimaginable feat of self-mythologizing … that borders on masturbatory,” said Vulture’s Kathryn VanArenonk. “He’s the reason I’ve stopped watching the show,” a Reddit user wrote.
Summer Higgins (Piper Perabo), Yellowstone
This character’s offenses extend beyond a lack of chemistry with John Dutton (Kevin Costner). To many, she just seemed like a caricature of an environmentalist and a political punching bag for the show’s conservative main characters — and perhaps for Sheridan, too. As one viewer put it, “Summer is one big ‘Checkmate, liberals.’”
Iris (Emma Laird), Mayor of Kingstown
Iris does nothing to combat the accusations that Sheridan has trouble writing female characters. While some Mayor of Kingstown watchers think she provides a realistic depiction of trauma, others contend she’s more of an example of a damsel-in-distress with none of the male characters’ agency. After seeing her Iris’ arc, one X user wrote, “We’ve clearly learned nothing with regards to the portrayal of women in this kind of fiction.”
Tyson Mitchell (Jay Will), Tulsa King
Tyson is routinely named the worst character of Tulsa King, to the point where some viewers fast-forward through his scenes. The dings against Tyson are many: He acts impulsively and arrogantly, he botches his work often, he doesn’t take the consequences seriously, he started a mob war… the list goes on and on.
Joe McNamara (Zoe Saldaña), Lioness
OK, Lioness’ protagonist doesn’t have many redeeming qualities. Some viewers say ssulks and shouts, and she’s not good at her job. But maybe it doesn’t matter? As one X user opined, “The plot is confusing, the dialogue is repetitive, the main character is awful and you hate her. … Can’t wait for the 3rd [season].”
Cooper Norris (Jacob Lofland), Landman
It’s not just Cooper’s hygiene — or apparent lack thereof. Viewers of Landman think his characterization stinks, too, saying he doesn’t have the fortitude to stick up for himself, the gratitude for his privilege, the brains to make good decisions, or the charisma to carry his storylines.
Ainsley Norris (Michelle Randolph), Landman
On Reddit, one fan wondered what Ainsley brings to Landman’s plot, arguing she should have just headed to college off-screen. (And that TMI conversation with her father certainly isn’t helping matters.) Randolph told The Hollywood Reporter she’s aware of the Ainsley backlash, saying, “I can’t tell people how to interpret my character, but at least it’s sparking conversation.”
Indeed, that’s true of all of the above-named characters, so maybe it’s all just a matter of Sheridan intentionally creating the “rage bait” he once claimed to .
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L
I love Zoe Saldaña on Lioness! Great character
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S
I love this show. Joe wouldn't be the Lioness if she had a different personality. She can be demanding, loud, obstinate but that is what the character "Joe" needs to be. My favorite character is Bobby (Jill Wagner) as I have long enjoyed her acting on Hallmark. She plays a BADASS but she is extremely convincing in character. The whole ensemble works great together as a unit.
BTW, I never watched Yellowstone except the last episode to become familiar with characters for Marshall's and Dutton Ranch. Love those shows also. Taylor Sheridan is awesome!
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J
Cooper disliked? No way! Ainsley? Certainly!
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B
Love Zoey Seldonda though 2nd season did make her very harsh which you need to fix. Let her be more like season one. As for Mayor I like Iris but she could use some better fleshing out of her character. Cooper is adorable in his way he’s young learning to his way. With his parents how could he be otherwise? Ainsley is a waste of space but her mother is too for my part. Strutting around being sexy mostly naked and spending money like it’s water not caring how it may be affecting her man!! Frankly she acts trashy. Her daughter is taking right behind her! Don’t watch the other shows but hubby loves Tulsa. We’ve never liked yellow stone.
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S
Ainsley's mother ( I use the term lightly) should be on this list.
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J
I agree. He’s one of my favorite characters.
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A
Joe is unhinged, unstable, emotionally overwrought, too volatile, has no idea how to lead, and would never survive contact with the enemy. Her own people would frag her.
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