Paramount+ struck a significant success with Landman, a gritty drama set against the backdrop of the rugged West Texas oilfields. The series quickly captivated audiences, with its pilot episode garnering an impressive 35 million global streaming viewers since its November 2024 debut, a testament to its compelling narrative and high production value. This widespread appeal comes as little surprise, given the show’s co-creator, Taylor Sheridan, an acclaimed writer and producer renowned for crafting wildly popular series such as Yellowstone, Tulsa King, and Lioness. Sheridan’s signature style, characterized by a deep exploration of complex characters navigating challenging, often dangerous, environments, is clearly evident in Landman.

The series centers on Billy Bob Thornton’s portrayal of Tommy Norris, a shrewd and experienced landman who manages oil patches for the formidable tycoon Monty Miller, played by Emmy-winning actor Jon Hamm. What distinguishes Landman from its predecessors, as co-creator Christian Wallace highlighted to Entertainment Weekly before its premiere, is its ambitious aim to authentically depict “both the working class and the white-collar world” of the oil industry. This dual perspective provides a richer, more nuanced view of a sector often romanticized or oversimplified in media. Following the conclusion of its first season in January, fan anticipation for a second installment surged, driven by a desire to return to the show’s intense narrative and immersive setting. Paramount’s swift renewal of Landman for a second season in March 2025 underscored its immense popularity, with the streamer proclaiming it as its most successful original series debut. Thornton himself had expressed hopes for a continuation, noting his enjoyable experience on the show and the importance of allowing audiences to truly connect with the series over multiple seasons.

The first season concluded with a shocking and pivotal finale that profoundly reshaped the landscape for its central characters. Tommy Norris found himself unexpectedly propelled into leadership, taking charge of MTex Oil as Monty Miller’s health rapidly deteriorated from a critical heart condition. In a move designed to stabilize the company and consolidate power, Tommy also appointed Monty’s astute wife, Cami, portrayed by Demi Moore, to the board, signaling her expanded role in the business moving forward. However, this ascent to power was immediately fraught with peril. While collaborating with Cami on a crucial “farm-out deal,” Tommy was brutally abducted by Jimenez, a member of the ruthless Galino drug cartel. The cartel sought retribution against Tommy for his involvement in bringing the National Guard into the region, an action that had resulted in the death of one of their own, leading to Tommy enduring severe torture as payback. His survival came through an unexpected intervention by Galino himself, played by the Oscar- and Emmy-nominated Andy Garcia. Galino, dissatisfied with Jimenez’s management of his territory, saw an opportunity in Tommy, believing the experienced landman could be instrumental in integrating the cartel into the legitimate—or at least seemingly legitimate—oil business. The season closed on a somber note, with Monty Miller flatlining in the hospital, leaving Cami and their daughters to mourn his apparent demise.

Monty’s death, while a surprise given Jon Hamm’s star power, appears to be a definitive plot point, as confirmed by co-creator Christian Wallace in a postmortem discussion with TV Insider. Wallace reflected on Cami’s anticipated expanded role, stating that her character in the first season had largely played “second fiddle to Monty.” He elaborated on Monty’s burden as the president of M-Tex Oil, stressing that he was “the one that’s calling the shots and has to make these big decisions” and was “thrust in the fire,” attempting to shield his family from the intense stress that ultimately contributed to his passing. Wallace views Monty’s demise as an “incredible opportunity for Cami to play a bigger role in this world,” setting the stage for significant character development and power shifts within MTex.

Looking ahead to Landman Season 2, while an official plot synopsis from Paramount+ is still pending, the finale of Season 1 left a multitude of compelling questions and narrative threads for the upcoming episodes to explore. A primary focus will undoubtedly be Tommy’s transition into his new, high-stakes role as the president of MTex, and the implications this holds for the company’s future. Billy Bob Thornton shed light on this dynamic in an April 2025 interview with Deadline, discussing his character’s close working relationship with Cami. “Since she doesn’t really know the oil business that well, I’m there with her to show her how these people operate,” Thornton explained, emphasizing Tommy’s role in guiding Cami through the complex, often treacherous, world of oil dealings. He further elaborated, “You can know something intellectually but what are the street smarts behind it? I know how to deal with these people she’s going to have to deal with. I just tell her, ‘Look, some of these deals you can take but when it gets really weird and difficult, let me know because I know these guys.’” This mentorship will likely be a cornerstone of their partnership, blending Cami’s ambition with Tommy’s invaluable practical experience.

Thornton also addressed how Tommy’s elevated professional responsibilities will inevitably impact his personal and family life. “He goes from having a job that’s really difficult and a job that’s very dangerous to having two,” he remarked, underscoring the added pressure. “Now I’m kind of executive and a landman and a family man in the midst of this tornado. It makes for some pretty interesting stuff I have to say.” This multi-faceted burden promises to fuel much of the character’s internal and external conflict in the new season. Furthermore, the burgeoning, dangerous relationship between Tommy and Galino’s cartel remains a critical storyline. Christian Wallace, speaking to TV Insider, expressed his anticipation for this plotline: “What I would hope to see is just what it looks like to have in the cartel a very savvy, smart businessman who happens to be in an illegal business, working alongside Tommy in this legitimate business, and both the rewards and the complications that could bring to both men.” This alliance, born of coercion and mutual, albeit precarious, self-interest, is ripe for intense dramatic exploration. Thornton elaborated on the complexities of Tommy’s new adversary, telling Variety, “Tommy’s dealing with someone now who is really smart. The other guys were hired to work for him, but 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?”

The cast for Landman Season 2 will see the return of numerous fan favorites, ensuring continuity and further developing established character arcs. Paramount Global confirmed the return of Billy Bob Thornton as Tommy Norris, Demi Moore as Cami Miller, along with Jacob Lofland, Michelle Randolph, Paulina Chávez, and Colm Feore, among others. Ali Larter also reprises her role as Angela Norris, Tommy’s “chaotic ex-wife” and the mother of his children. Larter’s character generated considerable discussion in Season 1, with some reviews, including EW’s, citing her as representative of the show’s “overt sexism,” stating that “Tommy and his male peers are three-dimensional disasters; the women, by contrast, are wholly defined by their sex.” Larter, however, has publicly countered this characterization, emphasizing her agency and appreciation for the role in a June 2025 interview with The Hollywood Reporter. “Nobody’s putting me in a position that I’m not comfortable being in. I have two children. I’ve been married for 19 years. I love playing this character,” she asserted. Larter further praised Taylor Sheridan for creating complex roles for women, stating, “I love that Taylor writes for older women — women in their prime, that were still allowed to be alive! I love that he writes that. I know so many women who are like that. I love that she’s able to express that side of herself.”

A significant new addition to the cast for Season 2 is the Oscar- and Emmy-nominated actor Sam Elliott. His distinctive deep Southern drawl and commanding presence make him a natural fit for the West Texas setting of Landman. Elliott is no stranger to Taylor Sheridan’s universe, having previously starred in the Yellowstone spinoff 1883, a series on which Thornton also made an appearance. Thornton expressed his excitement about working alongside Elliott again, noting their deep personal and professional respect. “He has always been a mentor and a hero of mine,” Thornton shared with Gold Derby, adding, “I love the guy, we have a real special relationship in real life… It’s so good to see him; he lights my day up.” Ali Larter also enthusiastically welcomed Elliott, sharing an Instagram post with him and Michelle Randolph, who plays Tommy and Angela’s daughter, Ainsley. Furthermore, Andy Garcia, whose character Galino made a dramatic debut in the Season 1 finale, will see his role expanded significantly in the new season, promising to heighten the stakes for Tommy.

Fans eager for the next chapter in the perilous world of West Texas oil will not have to wait much longer. Landman Season 2 is officially slated to premiere on November 16 on Paramount+, as announced by the streamer on August 13. This highly anticipated return promises to delve deeper into the intricate web of family loyalty, cutthroat business dealings, and the ever-present threat of the criminal underworld, solidifying Landman’s position as a standout drama in the contemporary streaming landscape.