Landman

Co-created by acclaimed television auteur Taylor Sheridan and journalist Christian Wallace, Landman is a contemporary American neo-Western drama series produced for Paramount+. Inspired by the eleven-part investigative podcast Boomtown hosted by Wallace for Texas Monthly and Imperative Entertainment, the series immerses audiences in the high-stakes, volatile universe of West Texas oil fields during the modern energy gold rush. Operating within the sprawling Permian Basin, the narrative explores the chaotic intersections of multi-billion-dollar corporate speculation, hazardous manual labor, land acquisition disputes, and complex family dynamics. Rather than focusing solely on executive suites or frontline roughnecks, the drama centers on the indispensable role of the oil industry landman—a specialized fixer, crisis manager, and negotiator tasked with securing mineral leases and resolving catastrophic operational emergencies in real time.

The central protagonist of Landman is Tommy Norris, portrayed by Academy Award winner Billy Bob Thornton. Tommy serves as the battle-tested, pragmatic landman for M-Tex Oil Company, carrying the relentless weight of field disasters, regulatory conflicts, and personal financial pressure. His personal life is equally turbulent, involving his headstrong ex-wife Angela Norris, played by Ali Larter; his pragmatic daughter Ainsley Norris, played by Michelle Randolph; and his idealist son Cooper Norris, played by Jacob Lofland, who chooses to learn the oil business from the ground up as an entry-level roughneck on a drilling crew. The high-powered corporate hierarchy features Jon Hamm as charismatic oil executive Monty Miller and Demi Moore as his sharp, influential wife Cami Miller. The expansive main and recurring cast is rounded out by Paulina Chávez as Ariana, Kayla Wallace as legal advocate Rebecca Savage, James Jordan as key associate Dale Bradley, Mustafa Speaks as Boss, Mark Collie as Sheriff Joe Dale, along with special appearances by Hollywood legends Sam Elliott and Andy Garcia.

Filmed extensively across North Texas locations including Fort Worth and the surrounding oil patches, Landman offers an unvarnished examination of how massive wealth creation reshapes human lives, local communities, and ecological landscapes. The production combines gritty technical realism with sharp, fast-paced dialogue, detailing the dangerous realities of hydraulic fracturing, pipeline logistics, and land rights battles. Sheridan and Wallace construct a dramatic environment where fortunes can be made or destroyed overnight, highlighting the steep human cost borne by oil rig workers alongside the ruthless calculations made by energy moguls. Through its intricate depiction of modern boomtown culture, the series bridges boardroom intrigue with authentic blue-collar hardship.

Season 1 (2024)

Debuting on Paramount+ on November 17, 2024, the ten-episode first season introduces Tommy Norris as he moves ceaselessly across West Texas to contain operational catastrophes and keep M-Tex Oil afloat. While Tommy negotiates with land owners, law enforcement, and rival operators, his son Cooper faces the grueling physical realities of working on an oil rig crew under volatile conditions. The narrative balances intense corporate maneuvering involving Monty Miller with the intimate family friction surrounding Tommy's ex-wife and children. Critical response praised Billy Bob Thornton's compelling lead performance and the show's authentic atmosphere, driving massive record-breaking viewership for Paramount+.

Season 2 (2025)

Premiering on November 16, 2025, the second season elevates the dramatic stakes as shifts in M-Tex Oil's leadership transform the corporate balance of power in West Texas. Cami Miller steps forward into an influential position of authority, forcing Tommy to navigate fresh rivalries, legal hurdles, and challenging strategic decisions regarding his future in the oil sector. Meanwhile, Cooper's evolution within the industry creates new dynamic tensions between personal loyalty and professional ambition. The season received strong critical acclaim for its heightened tension, expanded roles for veteran cast members, and detailed portrayal of competitive energy markets.

Over its broadcast history, Landman has solidified its standing as one of Paramount+'s flagship original dramatic series, drawing tens of millions of viewers globally and generating widespread media coverage. Critics have praised the show for its grounded performances, particularly highlighting Billy Bob Thornton's nuanced portrayal of a weary industry fixer and Demi Moore's commanding screen presence. By delivering a gritty, contemporary portrait of the modern energy boom, Landman has made a substantial mark on modern television drama, enriching the contemporary neo-Western subgenre and solidifying Taylor Sheridan's reputation as a dominant force in modern episodic storytelling.