Taylor Sheridan, the acclaimed writer and producer behind a string of wildly popular series including Yellowstone, Tulsa King, and Lioness, has once again captivated audiences with his latest drama, Landman. This Texas-set series, which debuted in November 2024, quickly cemented its status as a significant new entry in the contemporary television landscape, with its pilot alone reportedly drawing tens of millions of global streaming viewers. The show’s immediate success is a testament to Sheridan’s signature storytelling style: gritty realism, complex characters, and a deep dive into specific American subcultures often overlooked by mainstream narratives.

At its core, Landman stars Billy Bob Thornton as Tommy Norris, a savvy and seasoned landman tasked with overseeing an oil patch for the formidable tycoon Monty Miller, played by Jon Hamm. What sets Landman apart from its predecessors in the oil industry drama genre, as co-creator Christian Wallace highlighted, is its deliberate aim to depict the full spectrum of the oil business – encompassing both the working class on the ground and the white-collar power brokers in the executive suites. This dual perspective offers a nuanced portrayal of an industry built on ambition, risk, and often, cutthroat dealings.

The inaugural season of Landman concluded in January, leaving fans in eager anticipation of its return to the high-stakes West Texas oilfields. The series was officially renewed for a second season in March 2025, with the streamer touting it as its most popular original series debut. The show’s lead, Billy Bob Thornton, had previously expressed his enthusiasm for a continuation, noting the enjoyable experience of working on the series and the desire to build a lasting presence with the audience.

Season 1 culminated in a series of dramatic events that fundamentally reshaped Tommy Norris’s world. The finale found Tommy unexpectedly propelled into a position of immense responsibility, being put in charge of MTex Oil. This elevation came at a crucial juncture, as Monty Miller, the company’s patriarch, was on the brink of death due to a critical heart condition. Simultaneously, Monty’s wife, Cami, portrayed by Demi Moore, was poised to take on a more prominent role within the business, with Tommy appointing her to the board. The narrative escalated when, in the midst of working with Cami to finalize a lucrative “farm-out deal,” Tommy was violently abducted by Jimenez, a member of the Galino drug cartel. The cartel’s motive was clear: retribution for Tommy’s actions, which had led to the National Guard’s intervention in the region and the subsequent death of one of their own. Tommy endured torture as a brutal form of payback, a harrowing experience that underscored the perilous nature of his profession.

In a surprising turn, Tommy’s life was spared by Galino himself, the cartel’s enigmatic leader, played by Andy Garcia, who made his debut in this pivotal finale. Galino, dissatisfied with Jimenez’s management of his territory, saw an opportunity in Tommy, believing he could leverage Tommy’s expertise to integrate the cartel into the legitimate, albeit illicit, oil business. The episode concluded on a somber note, with Monty Miller flatlining in the hospital, leaving Cami and their daughters to grapple with his profound loss. The apparent death of Monty Miller was a significant shock, given the star power Jon Hamm brought to the role. Christian Wallace confirmed the character’s passing, explaining that Monty’s demise creates an “incredible opportunity for Cami to play a bigger role in this world,” shifting the narrative focus and empowering Demi Moore’s character in Season 2.

While an official plot synopsis for Landman Season 2 has yet to be released, the Season 1 finale set the stage for numerous compelling storylines. A primary focus will undoubtedly be Tommy’s transition into his new role as the president of MTex. This shift will thrust him into a demanding executive position while simultaneously requiring him to maintain his street-smart landman duties. Billy Bob Thornton discussed the evolving dynamic between Tommy and Cami in Season 2, indicating a close working relationship where Tommy will mentor Cami in the intricate and often deceptive world of oil deals. He articulated the challenge Tommy faces, going “from having a job that’s really difficult and a job that’s very dangerous to having two.” This new dual role, coupled with his existing family responsibilities, promises to create intense pressure and “pretty interesting stuff.”

Another critical thread will be the cartel’s increasing interest in the oil business and Tommy’s unwilling entanglement with them. Wallace hinted at the complexities of Galino, a “very savvy, smart businessman who happens to be in an illegal business, working alongside Tommy in this legitimate business.” The potential rewards and inherent complications of such a dangerous alliance will be a central conflict, pushing Tommy into morally ambiguous territory where his street smarts will be tested against a different kind of power. Thornton highlighted the new level of intellectual engagement: “Tommy’s dealing with someone now who is really smart… now Tommy’s talking to the man himself. There are advantages and disadvantages to that. Since he is so smart, who knows what Tommy is going to get tricked into?” This partnership hints at a season filled with high-stakes negotiations and lurking dangers.

The cast for Landman Season 2 will see the return of many key players from its inaugural run, including Billy Bob Thornton, Demi Moore, Jacob Lofland, Michelle Randolph, Paulina Chávez, Colm Feore, and Ali Larter. Larter’s portrayal of Angela Norris, Tommy’s chaotic ex-wife and the mother of his children, garnered significant attention. Some critics, including a reviewer, characterized her role as emblematic of the show’s “overt sexism,” arguing that while male characters were “three-dimensional disasters,” the women were “wholly defined by their sex.” Larter, however, has publicly countered this characterization, emphasizing her comfort with the role and appreciating Sheridan’s commitment to writing complex, “alive” roles for older women. This internal critique and defense add another layer of depth to the show’s character dynamics and its broader commentary on gender roles within a traditionally male-dominated industry.

A highly anticipated addition to the Season 2 cast is the Oscar and Emmy-nominated actor Sam Elliott. His distinctive deep Southern drawl makes him a natural fit for Landman’s West Texas setting, instantly invoking the rugged authenticity characteristic of Sheridan’s universe. Elliott previously collaborated with Thornton on Sheridan’s Yellowstone prequel, 1883, where Elliott played a leading role. This reunion is a testament to the close working relationships forged within Sheridan’s expanding cinematic universe. Thornton expressed immense admiration for Elliott, describing him as a “mentor and a hero,” and highlighting their “real special relationship in real life.” The inclusion of Elliott, alongside the expanded role for Andy Garcia, promises to inject fresh energy and seasoned gravitas into the series. Garcia’s return as Galino will elevate the cartel storyline, positioning him as a formidable and intelligent adversary, rather than a mere peripheral threat.

Landman, much like Yellowstone, delves deep into the American psyche, exploring themes of wealth, power, and the complex relationship between land and legacy. Both series present formidable family dynasties—the Duttons in Yellowstone and the evolving dynamic of the Millers and Norris in Landman—grappling with threats to their empires. Whether it’s preserving a sprawling Montana ranch or controlling vast oil reserves in West Texas, the stakes are always intensely personal and tied to a way of life that is constantly under siege. Sheridan masterfully portrays how these characters navigate shifting landscapes of economic pressure, legal battles, and outright violence to protect their interests, often blurring the lines between legality and moral compromise. The raw, unapologetic portrayal of conflict, be it against environmental activists, rival businesses, or ruthless cartels, underscores a shared ethos across Sheridan’s productions: survival demands strength, cunning, and an unwavering, often brutal, loyalty to one’s own.

With its strong viewership, compelling storyline, and the strategic addition of veteran talent, Landman Season 2 is poised to continue its exploration of the treacherous West Texas oilfields. As Tommy Norris navigates the dual pressures of corporate leadership and dangerous criminal entanglement, the series promises to deliver another season of high-stakes drama, pushing its characters to their limits and further cementing its place in Taylor Sheridan’s acclaimed pantheon of American sagas.