Michael Kelly Calls Taylor Sheridan ‘One of the Greatest Storytellers,’ Open to Crossover

Michael Kelly is making his case for the Taylor Sheridan extended universe. The actor, who plays CIA Deputy Director of Operations Byron Westfield on Paramount+’s spy thriller Lioness, delivered an effusive endorsement of the series creator in a recent interview.

He called Sheridan “one of the greatest storytellers” in entertainment and offered to follow him into any project on his slate.

“I think he’s truly a standalone talent,” Kelly told ScreenRant. “There’s nobody who’s doing or has ever done what he’s doing. It’s incredible what he does. And he’s just one of the smartest dudes you’ll ever meet.”

The actor continued, “He’s f—ing brilliant, man. Brilliant. And just one of the greatest storytellers.”

Kelly’s Pitch to Sheridan

Kelly, 57, said he has told Sheridan directly that he would take on any role offered to him — a remarkable expression of creative trust from an actor who has spent decades working across prestige television and film.

“Bro, anything you ever want me to do, I’ll do,” Kelly said of his message to Sheridan. “I love being in Texas. I love saying your words.”

He elaborated: “Anything, dude. You can put me in. Put me in, coach. Wherever you want to put me, I’ll go.”

That level of enthusiasm speaks to the unusual loyalty Sheridan has cultivated among his stable of actors. Kelly explained that the creator has built a “pool of talented people” to work for him because “everyone wants to say those words. He’s that good.”

Lioness Season 3 and Sheridan’s Expanding Empire

The endorsement comes as Lioness Season 3 sits as the #1 streaming series globally. The eight-episode season premiered August 2, 2026, on Paramount+ and is scheduled to conclude September 20.

The series also stars Zoe Saldaña as senior CIA officer Joe McNamara, Nicole Kidman as CIA Special Activities officer Kaitlyn Meade, and Morgan Freeman.

Sheridan has constructed one of the most prolific television empires in the industry. His current slate includes the Yellowstone universe — Yellowstone, 1883, 1923, Marshals, and Dutton Ranch — alongside Mayor of Kingstown, Tulsa King, Lioness, Landman, and The Madison.

His new deal with NBCUniversal is reportedly worth north of $1 billion.

Kelly said he would be open to crossing Byron Westfield over into any of those series, naming Yellowstone, Landman, and 1883 specifically.

The crossover impulse isn’t new to Sheridan’s productions — several actors from his slate have moved between shows and reprised roles across the universe. But there are no current plans for the Lioness cast to follow suit.

“I love him that much, man,” Kelly said of Sheridan. “I think he’s that talented.”

Sources

• Foxnews