You’ve seen him as a cold-blooded hitman in Fargo and a disgraced, boozing lawyer in Goliath. Now, Billy Bob Thornton is back in the dirt—literally. If you’ve been scrolling through Paramount+ lately, you probably noticed a rugged, oil-stained face staring back at you. That’s Tommy Norris. He’s the center of Billy Bob Thornton new show, a neo-Western drama titled Landman that is basically Taylor Sheridan’s latest attempt to own every single TV screen in America.
It’s gritty. It’s loud. Honestly, it makes Yellowstone look like a quiet Sunday brunch at the ranch.
What’s the Deal with Landman?
So, what is a "landman" anyway? Before this show dropped, most people probably thought it was just a guy who mows lawns. In the world of West Texas oil, a landman is more like a corporate fixer, a negotiator, and a human shield all rolled into one. Billy Bob Thornton plays Tommy Norris, a man who spends his days (and most of his nights) trying to secure drilling rights while keeping the peace between billionaires and the roughnecks who actually do the dirty work.
The show isn't just about oil rigs. It’s about the chaos that happens when you mix unimaginable wealth with people who have absolutely nothing to lose.
Sheridan, the guy who gave us Yellowstone, 1883, and Tulsa King, co-created this with Christian Wallace. They based it on a podcast called Boomtown. If you haven't heard it, it's worth a listen, but the TV version definitely cranks the volume up to eleven.
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Season 2 is Already Out (and Getting Intense)
Here is the thing about Billy Bob Thornton new show: it moves fast. While some series take years to breathe between seasons, Landman just wrapped up its second season in early 2026. If you’re just starting, you’ve got a massive binge-watch ahead of you.
Season 1 was a bit of a slow burn that exploded into a cartel-fueled nightmare. Tommy was dealing with a kidnapping, a heart-attack-prone boss (played by Jon Hamm), and an ex-wife who just wouldn't stay "ex." Season 2, which premiered in November 2025, raised the stakes by bringing in the legendary Sam Elliott.
Elliott plays T.L., Tommy’s father. Having those two icons on screen together is worth the subscription price alone. Their chemistry is built on decades of shared cinematic DNA. You get these long, rambling monologues that feel less like a script and more like two old lions growling at each other over a campfire.
Who Else is in the Patch?
The cast is actually pretty stacked. You’ve got:
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- Jon Hamm as Monty Miller, the billionaire oil tycoon who relies on Tommy to fix his messes.
- Demi Moore as Cami, Monty’s wife who clearly has her own agenda.
- Ali Larter as Angela, Tommy’s ex-wife. She’s chaotic, flirtatious, and arguably the only person Tommy is actually afraid of.
- Michael Peña and Andy García show up to add some serious weight to the supporting cast.
Why People Are Divided on It
Look, Landman isn't for everyone. Some critics have called it "over-cranked" and "unsubtle." They aren't exactly wrong. It’s a Taylor Sheridan production, which means you’re going to get some very specific tropes. Expect lots of tough talk, expensive trucks, and women who are written with... let's just say a very specific male gaze.
But fans love it. Why? Because Billy Bob Thornton is a master of the "tired man" archetype. He makes Tommy Norris feel real. When he’s covered in grease and yelling into a satellite phone, you believe he hasn't slept in three days.
There’s also this weirdly fascinating accuracy to the business side of it. In fact, Texas Christian University (TCU) actually started a class inspired by the show to teach students about the energy industry. They use scenes from the series to explain land rights and mineral leases, though the professor, Dr. Tom Seng, has to remind students that real landmen don't usually get kidnapped by cartels.
The Reality of the Permian Basin
The show is set in the Permian Basin, a real-life region in West Texas and Southeastern New Mexico. It’s the heart of the American oil boom. While the show dramatizes the violence, the economic "gold rush" vibe is 100% authentic.
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People move there to make $100k a year with no college degree, but they pay for it with their backs and their sanity. Landman captures that desperation perfectly. It shows the "upstairs-downstairs" dynamic—the guys in the mud vs. the guys in the private jets—in a way that feels more honest than your average corporate drama.
Is Season 3 Happening?
Yes. Paramount+ officially renewed the series for a third season in December 2025. Given the massive viewership numbers—the premiere alone hit over 35 million streams—it’s not surprising.
If you're looking for a show that's "intellectual" or "quiet," keep walking. This is "big budget soap opera for adults" territory. It’s messy. It’s occasionally ridiculous. But with Billy Bob Thornton at the helm, it’s also impossible to look away.
How to Get the Most Out of Landman
If you want to dive into the world of Tommy Norris, start by checking out the Boomtown podcast first. It gives you the "boring" but fascinating real-life context that makes the TV show's insanity more grounded. Then, clear a weekend. You’ll want to watch Season 1 and Season 2 back-to-back because the cliffhangers are brutal.
Keep an eye out for the Sam Elliott scenes in the second season. His monologue about aging in the Season 2 premiere is some of the best acting you'll see on television this year. It's raw, it's heartbreaking, and it reminds you why these guys are legends.
To keep up with the latest production updates for Season 3, follow the official Bosque Ranch or Paramount+ social channels, as they often drop "on-set" footage that reveals which new West Texas locations they're taking over next.