Taylor Sheridan is riding high in the entertainment world. With Yellowstone concluding its run, teasing a spinoff featuring Beth and Rip’s new life, the second season of 1923 on the horizon, and the explosive success of Lioness Season 2, Sheridan continues to dominate television. His latest offering, Landman, builds on this momentum, introducing a gritty drama set in the high-stakes world of the oil industry.
Landman boasts an impressive cast, headlined by Billy Bob Thornton as Tommy Norris, a fixer for M-Tex Oil, a company owned by Hamm Charter’s Monty Miller. Joining Thornton are Ali Larter, Michelle Randolph, Jon Hamm, Demi Moore, and a few familiar faces from the Sheridan universe.
The show follows Tommy as he navigates the cutthroat oil industry, clashes with drug cartels, and grapples with the chaos of his personal life. His ex-wife (Larter) and daughter (Randolph) moving in with him adds layers of tension, while his attempt to mentor his son Cooper in the oil business leads to tragedy—and a tangled subplot involving a widow that felt more like filler than a meaningful arc.
Thornton delivers his trademark charm, delivering snarky, Bad Santa-esque one-liners, while Larter channels a grown-up version of Darcy Sears from Varsity Blues. Michelle Randolph also shines in her moments on screen. The performances keep the show engaging, even when the storyline falters.
Unfortunately, Landman suffers from a predictable plot. The premise—oil fields, cartel conflict, personal turmoil—never quite delivers the twists and turns viewers might expect from Sheridan. The last ten minutes of Episode 10 neatly resolve the season’s conflicts, setting up a potential second season but leaving much to be desired in terms of narrative complexity.
The subplot involving Cooper’s relationship with a widow feels particularly weak. The repetitive nature of their interactions bogs down the pacing, and by the season finale, it seems to lead nowhere significant. That said, Cooper’s ambition to start his own oil company offers a glimmer of intrigue for a potential Season 2.
One standout moment comes from Kayla Wallace in Episode 4, where she delivers a ruthless performance as a young lawyer. It’s a highlight in a series that, while uneven, has its moments of brilliance.
Landman isn’t Taylor Sheridan’s strongest work, especially when compared to the high-octane drama of Lioness, whose Season 2 finale ranks as one of the best season closers in recent memory. However, it’s a solid watch, driven by Thornton’s charisma and a unique glimpse into the oil industry’s inner workings.
And for those who’ve noticed Sheridan’s penchant for cameos in his shows, rest assured—he doesn’t make an appearance in Landman. This is Billy Bob’s show through and through, delivering a solid, if formulaic, performance in a story with some intense moments and a lot of potential for future development.
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