The Texas-set drama “Landman” has quickly cemented its place as a significant success, drawing an impressive 35 million global streaming viewers for its pilot episode alone since its debut in November 2024. This rapid ascent comes as little surprise, given that the series is co-created by Taylor Sheridan, the acclaimed writer and producer behind a string of wildly popular hits including “Yellowstone,” “Tulsa King,” and “Lioness.” Sheridan’s unique brand of gritty, character-driven storytelling, often set against the backdrop of challenging American landscapes and industries, finds a new frontier in the high-stakes world of West Texas oil.

“Landman” stars Billy Bob Thornton as Tommy Norris, a seasoned landman navigating the volatile oil patch on behalf of tycoon Monty Miller, portrayed by Jon Hamm. Co-creator Christian Wallace, in an interview with Entertainment Weekly prior to the show’s premiere, emphasized the series’ distinctive approach. Unlike previous oil-centric dramas such as “Dallas,” “Landman” aims for a more nuanced depiction, seeking to illuminate both the blue-collar realities and the white-collar machinations of the modern oil industry. This commitment to portraying the full spectrum of a complex world aligns perfectly with Sheridan’s established narrative style, known for its deep dives into the lives and struggles of individuals caught within powerful systems.

Following the intense conclusion of Season 1 in January, anticipation for its return to the arid West Texas oilfields has been palpable among fans. Paramount+ officially renewed “Landman” for a second season in March 2025, proudly touting it as the streamer’s most popular original series debut. Prior to the renewal announcement, Thornton himself expressed enthusiasm for continuing the project, telling EW, “I had a fun time on this one and it’d be a nice one to do. I mean, you’d kind of like to at least do a couple of something to get people used to it.”

The first season’s finale left viewers on a significant cliffhanger, with Tommy Norris unexpectedly thrust into leadership as president of MTex Oil. This elevation occurred under dire circumstances, as Monty Miller faced an imminent demise due to a critical heart condition. Simultaneously, Monty’s wife, Cami (Demi Moore), was poised for a more substantial role in the business, having been appointed to the board by Tommy. However, as Tommy worked alongside Cami to finalize a lucrative “farm-out deal,” events took a dangerous turn. He was abducted by Jimenez (Alex Meraz), a member of the Galino drug cartel, who sought revenge after Tommy’s involvement of the National Guard led to the death of a cartel member. Tommy endured brutal torture before being dramatically rescued by Galino himself (Andy Garcia), the cartel’s leader, who was dissatisfied with Jimenez’s operations and saw potential in leveraging Tommy to facilitate the cartel’s entry into the legitimate oil business. The episode concluded tragically with Monty Miller flatlining in the hospital, leaving Cami and their daughters reeling.

Monty’s death, despite the star power brought by Emmy-winning actor Jon Hamm, appears to be definitive. Christian Wallace confirmed this in a postmortem interview with TV Insider, discussing Cami’s expanded role in the upcoming season. Wallace reflected, “I think Demi’s character in this first season was kind of playing a little bit of second fiddle to Monty, at least in his role as the president of M-Tex Oil.” He elaborated on Monty’s character arc: “He’s the one that’s calling the shots and has to make these big decisions, and so he’s really the one that’s thrust in the fire and is honestly kind of trying to shield his family from the stress that he’s experiencing, which ultimately plays a role in his demise… And so his passing is kind of an incredible opportunity for Cami to play a bigger role in this world.”

While an official plot synopsis for “Landman” Season 2 is still forthcoming from Paramount+, the Season 1 finale has laid the groundwork for several compelling storylines and unanswered questions. Foremost among these is how Tommy will navigate his demanding new position as president of MTex, and what ramifications this will have for the company’s future. Billy Bob Thornton, discussing the dynamic in an April 2025 interview with Deadline, revealed that Tommy and Cami will collaborate closely in Season 2. Thornton explained Tommy’s role as a mentor: “Since she doesn’t really know the oil business that well, I’m there with her to show her how these people operate. 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.’” Thornton also touched upon the personal cost of Tommy’s new responsibilities: “He goes from having a job that’s really difficult and a job that’s very dangerous to having two. 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.”

Beyond the corporate power shifts, the cartel’s interest in leveraging Tommy to infiltrate the oil business promises to be a central conflict. Wallace, in his conversation with TV Insider, conveyed his anticipation for this particular narrative thread: “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 setup suggests a complex cat-and-mouse game, a hallmark of Sheridan’s suspenseful narratives.

Paramount Global has confirmed the return of numerous Season 1 cast members for “Landman” Season 2, including Thornton, Moore, Jacob Lofland, Michelle Randolph, Paulina Chávez, and Colm Feore. Ali Larter will also reprise her role as Angela Norris, Tommy’s tumultuous ex-wife and mother of his children. Larter’s portrayal of Angela drew attention in reviews, with some, including Entertainment Weekly, critiquing the show’s “overt sexism” and describing female characters as “wholly defined by their sex” in contrast to their male counterparts. Larter, however, countered this assessment in a June 2025 interview with The Hollywood Reporter, asserting her comfort with the character: “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 added a compelling defense of Sheridan’s writing, 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 addition to the Season 2 cast is Oscar and Emmy-nominated actor Sam Elliott, whose iconic deep Southern drawl is a natural fit for “Landman’s” West Texas setting. Elliott is no stranger to the Taylor Sheridan universe, having played a leading role as Shea Brennan in the critically acclaimed “Yellowstone” prequel “1883” (2021–2022), a series in which Billy Bob Thornton also appeared. Thornton expressed his profound admiration for Elliott in an interview with Gold Derby, referring to him as “a mentor and a hero of mine,” and noting their “real special relationship in real life.” Larter likewise shared her excitement, posting an Instagram photo with Elliott and Randolph (who plays Tommy and Angela’s daughter, Ainsley), captioned “Just three crows cackling.” Andy Garcia, whose character Galino made a impactful debut in the Season 1 finale, is also confirmed for an expanded role in Season 2. Thornton revealed to Variety that Tommy will be facing a highly intelligent adversary in Galino. “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?”

“Landman” Season 2 is slated to premiere on Paramount+ on November 16, as announced on August 13. For those eager to catch up or revisit the initial oil patch dramas, “Landman” Season 1 is currently available for streaming exclusively on Paramount+. The series promises to continue Taylor Sheridan’s compelling exploration of American ambition, family legacy, and the morally ambiguous spaces where legitimate business intersects with illicit power, further enriching his expanding and interconnected narrative universe.