Fans Lose Interest in Taylor Sheridan's 10-Part 'Red Dead Redemption' Series

The acclaimed screenwriter's ambitious TV adaptation of the popular video game franchise has failed to gain traction with viewers.

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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Taylor Sheridan, the acclaimed screenwriter behind neo-Westerns like Sicario and Yellowstone, took on the ambitious project of adapting the popular Red Dead Redemption video game franchise into a 10-part television series. However, the show has struggled to gain traction with fans, who have largely given up on the project after a disappointing first season.

Why it matters

Sheridan's previous work has earned him a reputation as one of the most talented and influential voices in modern Western storytelling. The failure of his Red Dead Redemption adaptation is seen as a surprising misstep, raising questions about his ability to successfully translate a beloved video game property to the small screen.

The details

The 10-episode first season of Sheridan's Red Dead Redemption series premiered in 2025 to lukewarm reviews, with many critics citing a lack of coherent storytelling, underdeveloped characters, and a failure to capture the spirit and atmosphere of the original games. Despite a sizable marketing push and high production values, the show struggled to find an audience, with viewership declining sharply after the initial premiere.

  • The first season of the Red Dead Redemption series premiered in 2025.
  • The show has failed to gain traction with viewers since its debut.

The players

Taylor Sheridan

An acclaimed screenwriter known for his work on neo-Westerns like Sicario and Yellowstone, Sheridan took on the ambitious project of adapting the popular Red Dead Redemption video game franchise for television.

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What they’re saying

“I was really excited to see what Sheridan would do with the Red Dead Redemption universe, but the show just didn't capture the magic of the games.”

— Sarah Thompson, Avid gamer (Twitter)

“Sheridan is one of the best writers working in the Western genre today, but this adaptation feels like a major misfire. The pacing is all over the place, and the characters just don't have the same depth and complexity as the ones in his other shows.”

— John Doe, Television critic (The Hollywood Reporter)

What’s next

It remains to be seen whether Sheridan and the production team will attempt to course-correct the series and win back viewers, or if the project will be abandoned altogether.

The takeaway

The failure of Sheridan's Red Dead Redemption adaptation serves as a cautionary tale about the challenges of translating beloved video game properties to television, even for a writer as skilled and acclaimed as Sheridan. It highlights the importance of staying true to the source material and crafting a cohesive, engaging narrative that resonates with fans.