The second season of Landman arrives this November with Tommy Norris, portrayed by Billy Bob Thornton, encountering new and complex challenges that test both his personal and professional life. Following the dramatic events of the Season 1 finale, including the death of M-Tex Oil owner Monty Miller and Tommy’s kidnapping by cartel members, Season 2 places Tommy in the role of vice president at M-Tex Oil, where the tension intensifies amid dangerous alliances and strained family ties.
Tommy Norris Navigates Heightened Dangers and New Responsibilities
Landman Season 2 continues directly from the final episode where Tommy’s fate hung in the balance after his rescue by Galino, a senior cartel figure played by Andy Garcia. Now elevated to a leadership position, Tommy faces mounting pressure from Monty Miller’s widow, Cami (Demi Moore), who demands results in the oil business despite her limited industry experience.
Thornton highlighted the shift in Tommy’s adversaries compared to Season 1, emphasizing how the criminal opposition has evolved into a more cunning and strategic force.
“Tommy isn’t dealing with henchmen anymore. He knew how to deal with them. But now he’s got a smart guy on the opposite side of the law who is his equal,”
he told the Los Angeles Times.
“We’re in a chess match, and I hope that’s explored.”
Cami’s lack of familiarity with the oil industry adds another layer of complexity to Tommy’s role. He serves as both a guide and protector, leveraging his understanding of the people and deals in this cutthroat world. In his words,
“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.'”
?Billy Bob Thornton, Actor
Besides managing corporate and criminal threats, Tommy must also confront personal turmoil. His fractured relationship with ex-wife Angela (Ali Larter) remains a source of conflict, compounded by the presence of their children, Ainsley (Michelle Randolph) and Cooper (Jacob Loftland). Season 2 also introduces Tommy’s father, played by Sam Elliott, whose icy relationship with Tommy promises deeper family drama that adds emotional weight to the series.
Landman’s Storyline Parallels Behind-the-Scenes Changes at Paramount
In an intriguing parallel to the upheaval Tommy faces on screen, creator Taylor Sheridan is poised to shift his career path, leaving Paramount for NBCUniversal with a new movie and TV deal starting in 2029. Under his existing agreement, Sheridan is committed to delivering a third season of Landman before transitioning to NBCUniversal. This adds additional pressure to provide a compelling continuation and conclusion that resonates with viewers and lives up to Sheridan’s reputation for high-stakes storytelling.
Sheridan, known for crafting intense and gritty narratives in Yellowstone and its spinoffs, continues to explore the theme of characters tested by extreme circumstances. He thrives on pushing his characters to their limits to reveal their true nature, a hallmark that Landman Season 2 embraces fully.
Fans of the series can look forward to the new season’s premiere on Paramount+ on November 16, when Tommy Norris’s struggles to maintain control over M-Tex Oil and protect his family will dominate the story.
