The Taylor Sheridan Paramount controversy has come into sharper focus with the second season of Landman, starring Billy Bob Thornton, rising to the top of U.S. streaming charts even as it records low approval with just a 37% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. The drama unfolds as Sheridan, known for his consistent production success, prepares for a high-profile transition to NBCUniversal, with film projects set for 2026 and television following in 2028.
Co-Creator Christian Wallace Comments on Sheridan’s Planned Departure
After the premiere of Landman’s latest season, questions about Sheridan’s decision to leave Paramount surfaced during an interview with series co-creator Christian Wallace. When asked about the impact on the show’s future, Wallace said,
“I don’t think it’s affecting anything in the immediate. Right now, we’re just going to keep doing what we’ve been doing.”
—Christian Wallace, Co-Creator
Wallace emphasized his trust in Sheridan, underscoring the producer’s vital role in shaping both the narrative and the creative environment. He stated,
“The thing is, I trust Taylor, and he cares deeply about his stories and the characters he’s written. We all put ourselves in his hands in this process.”
—Christian Wallace, Co-Creator
Wallace further expressed confidence in Sheridan’s leadership, adding,
“He’s the showrunner, he’s a writer. He’s the reason why we’re all here. So I’m just going to trust the process in all this, you know?”
—Christian Wallace, Co-Creator
Mixed Reviews Greet Landman’s Return Despite Streaming Success
The renewed focus on “the process,” as described by Wallace, has not shielded Landman’s second season from harsh audience feedback. This latest installment is facing some of the most critical responses ever received by a Sheridan-Paramount series, with approval ratings plummeting to nearly half those of the first season. For comparison, other Sheridan-created shows on Paramount+ like Tulsa King and Mayor of Kingstown maintain audience percentages above 65%.
Critical Response and Performances in the Spotlight
Jeff Ewing from Collider provided season two with a 6 out of 10 rating after reviewing the first three episodes, remarking,
“Season 2 of Landman is ultimately showing signs of more promise after its first three episodes, with [Demi] Moore already delivering a strong performance for a complex character,”
—Jeff Ewing, Reviewer
He added a note of uncertainty and potential for improvement by saying,
“It’s impossible to say what Landman’s true trajectory will be this season, but it’s already a bit closer to a well that hits than it was the first time around. Now, it just has to stick the landing.”
—Jeff Ewing, Reviewer
Notable Cast and Characters Drive the Series
Billy Bob Thornton leads the cast as Tommy Norris, anchoring the series with a performance that continues to draw in viewers. Ali Larter features as Angela Norris, further contributing to the character-driven appeal that has become a hallmark of Sheridan’s productions. The inclusion of Demi Moore this season has also attracted critical mention.
What Lies Ahead for Landman and Sheridan’s Productions
Landman Season 2 is now available for streaming on Paramount+, continuing to generate discussion among fans and critics alike. As Taylor Sheridan’s relationship with Paramount evolves and his transition to NBCUniversal approaches, the future of Landman and similar neo-Western series remains an open question. Observers anticipate how forthcoming production deals and Sheridan’s creative direction will shape the genre and viewer expectations in the years to come.
