Before he became the mastermind behind the Yellowstone empire, Taylor Sheridan was best known for his acting chops. While fans of the modern Western genre know him as the creator of Yellowstone, 1883, and 1923, Sheridan's earlier work includes a standout role in FX's biker crime thriller Sons of Anarchy. This seven-season series, which aired from 2008 to 2014, is a gripping update of Shakespeare's Hamlet set in the world of outlaw motorcycle clubs.
Starring Charlie Hunnam as Jax Teller, the show follows a young man grappling with his father's death and the dark secrets of his mother, Gemma (Katey Sagal). Jax is the vice president of the Sons of Anarchy Motorcycle Club, Redwood Original (SAMCRO), under the thumb of his stepfather, Clay Morrow (Ron Perlman). As Clay pushes the club deeper into gunrunning, Jax struggles to honor his father John Teller's original vision for the club. This internal conflict gives Sons of Anarchy a Shakespearean weight that elevates it above typical crime dramas.
Taylor Sheridan's Deputy Hale: The Moral Compass of Charming
Sheridan played Deputy David Hale, a lawman who serves as the moral compass of the show. Hale is a local deputy who knows the Sons of Anarchy bring crime to the small town of Charming, California, and he despises how his superior, Sheriff Unser (Dayton Callie), has become complicit. Yet Hale is not a one-dimensional antagonist. He went to high school with Jax and Tara Knowles (Maggie Siff), and he genuinely wants to protect the town. His character arc shows a man torn between his duty and his empathy, making him one of the most compelling figures in the series.
Hale's death is one of the most brutal in the show. Killed in a drive-by shooting, his final act is an attempt to stop the driver before being hit by a van. It's a devastating moment that underscores the show's unflinching commitment to tragedy. For fans of Sheridan's later work, seeing him as a principled lawman in this gritty world is a treat. If you're looking for more thrillers that only get better with every rewatch, Sons of Anarchy is a prime candidate.
A Crime Thriller That Never Flinches
Sons of Anarchy is a crime thriller that walks in the footsteps of shows like The Shield, with a cast that delivers powerhouse performances. The show's seven seasons grow darker and more violent, culminating in a finale that commits Jax to his Shakespearean fate. The series also features memorable villains like ATF Agent June Stahl (Ally Walker) and white nationalist Ethan Zobelle (Adam Arkin), who force the Sons and Hale to occasionally work together. For those who missed it the first time, this is a cult classic that deserves a second look.
Sheridan's role as Hale is a reminder that before he became the godfather of the new Western genre, he was a talented actor. His performance in Sons of Anarchy is a must-see for anyone who enjoys his work on Yellowstone or his films like Sicario and Hell or High Water. If you're a fan of Sheridan's universe, you might also want to check out Taylor Sheridan's 'Lawmen: Bass Reeves', which is heading to Netflix in June 2026.
In the end, Sons of Anarchy is a tragedy that never backs down from its legacy. It's a show about loyalty, power, and the price of survival—themes that Sheridan would later explore in his own work. For those who haven't seen it, this forgotten gem is well worth the binge.
