In the contemporary landscape of television drama, few creators command attention quite like Taylor Sheridan. His name has become synonymous with compelling, gritty storytelling, often set against the backdrop of the American West or within high-stakes, morally ambiguous worlds. Sheridan’s groundbreaking success largely stems from his creation of the “Yellowstone” universe, a sprawling saga that has revitalized the modern Western genre and captivated millions worldwide. “Yellowstone,” which premiered in 2018, follows the Dutton family, led by patriarch John Dutton (Kevin Costner), as they fiercely protect their massive Montana ranch from land developers, Native American reservations, and political adversaries. The series delves deep into themes of family legacy, power, corruption, and the fading American frontier, resonating with audiences through its complex characters, stunning cinematography, and intense dramatic conflicts. Its immense popularity spawned an expanding universe of critically acclaimed prequels, including “1883” and “1923,” which chronicle the Dutton family’s arduous journey to establish their ranch during different historical periods. “1883,” in particular, gained significant praise for its brutal authenticity and powerful performances, featuring Sam Elliott in a leading role as Shea Brennan, a grizzled Civil War veteran guiding a group of immigrants west – a role that showcased Elliott’s iconic gravitas and deep Southern drawl, making him a natural fit for Sheridan’s world-building. These spinoffs, along with the flagship series, have cemented Sheridan’s reputation as a master storyteller capable of crafting deeply immersive narratives that explore the harsh realities and enduring spirit of America’s unyielding landscapes. It is this established track record of critical and commercial triumph that sets a high bar for all of Sheridan’s subsequent projects, influencing the anticipation and reception of his diverse range of dramas.

This creative momentum continued with “Landman,” another significant success for Paramount+, which notably struck gold with the Texas-set series. Its pilot alone garnered a whopping 35 million global streaming viewers since its debut in November 2024, a testament to Sheridan’s ability to draw massive audiences to his new ventures. “Landman” stars Billy Bob Thornton as Tommy Norris, a savvy landman navigating the volatile West Texas oilfields under the watchful eye of tycoon Monty Miller (Jon Hamm). Co-creator Christian Wallace highlighted to Entertainment Weekly that the series distinguishes itself from predecessors like “Dallas” by aiming to depict both the working-class struggles and the white-collar machinations within the oil industry, offering a comprehensive and nuanced portrayal. Following its acclaimed first season, which wrapped in January, fans are eagerly awaiting its return, and Paramount+ officially renewed “Landman” for a second season in March 2025, proudly touting it as the most popular original series to debut on the streamer. Billy Bob Thornton himself expressed enthusiasm for a second season prior to the renewal, noting he had “a fun time on this one” and would “like to at least do a couple of something to get people used to it.”

The first season finale left viewers with several dramatic cliffhangers. Tommy found himself suddenly in charge of MTex Oil, as Monty Miller lay at death’s door due to a faulty ticker. Monty’s formidable wife, Cami (Demi Moore), also stepped into a more prominent role in the business, appointed to the board by Tommy. However, while working alongside Cami to secure a crucial “farm-out deal,” Tommy was violently abducted by Jimenez (Alex Meraz), a member of the Galino drug cartel. The cartel, enraged by Tommy’s decision to involve the National Guard in the region which led to the death of one of their own, subjected him to brutal torture as retribution. Tommy’s ordeal was cut short by the unexpected intervention of Galino himself (played by Andy Garcia), who, dissatisfied with Jimenez’s management of his territory, saw potential in leveraging Tommy to facilitate the cartel’s entry into the legitimate oil business. The episode concluded on a somber note, with Monty Miller flatlining in the hospital, his family—Cami and their daughters—crying at his bedside, leaving his fate seemingly sealed. Indeed, it appears Monty is truly dead, a surprising turn given the star power Jon Hamm brought to the role. Co-creator Christian Wallace confirmed this in a postmortem interview with TV Insider, reflecting on Cami’s expanded role in season two. Wallace explained that Cami had “kind of played a little bit of second fiddle to Monty” in the first season, with Monty taking the lead in major decisions and attempting to shield his family from the intense stress he experienced, which “ultimately plays a role in his demise.” Monty’s passing, Wallace concluded, presents “an incredible opportunity for Cami to play a bigger role in this world.”

As “Landman” gears up for its second season, while an official plot synopsis remains under wraps, several key questions from the season one finale will undoubtedly drive the new narrative. Foremost among them is how Tommy will navigate his new, demanding role as president of MTex and what this leadership shift means for the company’s future. Billy Bob Thornton elaborated on Tommy’s new challenges in an April 2025 interview with Deadline, discussing his character’s close collaboration with Cami in season two. Thornton stated, “Since she doesn’t really know the oil business that well, I’m there with her to show her how these people operate,” underscoring Tommy’s invaluable “street smarts” in a cutthroat industry. He also highlighted the added pressure on Tommy’s personal life: “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.” Another pivotal storyline involves the cartel’s persistent interest in utilizing Tommy to infiltrate the legitimate oil business. Wallace touched upon this during his chat with TV Insider, referencing Andy Garcia’s Galino and the complex dynamic he will introduce. Wallace expressed his anticipation “to see 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.”

The cast for “Landman” season two will see the return of many beloved season one players, confirmed by Paramount Global in a press release. These include Thornton, Moore, Jacob Lofland, Michelle Randolph, Paulina Chávez, and Colm Feore, among others. Also reprising her role is Ali Larter as Angela Norris, Tommy’s often chaotic ex-wife and the mother of his children. While some reviews, including one from Entertainment Weekly, noted Angela as representative of the show’s “overt sexism,” with a critic observing that “Tommy and his male peers are three-dimensional disasters; the women, by contrast, are wholly defined by their sex,” Larter has publicly disputed this characterization. In a June 2025 chat with The Hollywood Reporter, she affirmed her comfort with the role, expressing her appreciation that Taylor Sheridan “writes for older women — women in their prime, that were still allowed to be alive!” A highly anticipated addition to the cast is Oscar- and Emmy-nominated actor Sam Elliott, whose unmistakable deep Southern drawl makes him a perfect fit for the West Texas milieu of “Landman.” Elliott’s involvement is a familiar reunion within Sheridan’s universe, as he previously delivered a memorable, leading performance in the “Yellowstone” spinoff “1883,” where Billy Bob Thornton also made an appearance. Thornton spoke highly of Elliott in an interview, calling him “always been a mentor and a hero of mine” and emphasizing their “real special relationship in real life.” Larter also shared her excitement, humorously captioning an Instagram post featuring her, Elliott, and Michelle Randolph, “Just three crows cackling.” Andy Garcia, who made his debut as Galino in the season one finale, is set to have a significantly larger role in the upcoming season. Thornton teased the evolving dynamic between Tommy and Galino to Variety, noting, “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?” With all these developments, “Landman” season two is slated to premiere on Paramount+ on November 16, a date eagerly awaited by fans and a further testament to Taylor Sheridan’s remarkable storytelling dominance across diverse American narratives.