Taylor Sheridan‘s Landman has set a new streaming milestone on Paramount+ with the debut of its second season, making headlines for its soaring viewership. Building on past successes, the series’ record-breaking return further cements the Taylor Sheridan Landman streaming record as one of the most impressive yet for the network.
Landman Season 2 Sets Unprecedented Streaming Numbers
Paramount confirmed through a recent press release that Landman’s second season premiere shattered the network’s previous records. The show gathered 9.2 million global streaming views in just its first two days online, a figure that not only eclipsed its own prior achievements but also represented a 262% increase from the series’ initial launch episode. This surge has made it the most-watched premiere for any Paramount original series to date, outpacing major hits like Lioness, Tulsa King, and even Yellowstone.
Beyond the strong showing for Season 2, the renewed spotlight on Landman led to a significant boost for its first season. In the days following the new episode drop, viewership for Season 1 spiked by 320%, indicating a ripple effect as new and returning viewers caught up. Still, despite this popularity, Landman lost its number one streaming spot to South Park almost immediately after the record-breaking launch, hinting at quickly shifting viewer interests.
Critical and Audience Reception Takes a Sharp Turn
While Landman’s first season was recognized for its fresh take on the oil industry, diverging from Taylor Sheridan’s past stories of ranch life and organized crime, critical feedback seemed initially optimistic. The premiere season held a 78% critics score and an audience rating of 64%, suggesting room for development in future episodes.
With the arrival of Season 2, critics have maintained a similar perspective, posting a 75% critic score. Audience sentiment, however, has dropped dramatically to only 37%, a significant decline compared to other Sheridan projects. Much of the negative feedback centers around the characters Angela and Ainsley Norris, portrayed by Ali Larter and Michelle Randolph, who have drawn criticism for detracting from the oil industry plotline. As one reviewer commented,
“I would rate the series much higher if they would focus on the main premise of the show rather than getting distracted by this mother/daughter sideshow that seems to take up way too much screen time.”
– Unattributed Review
Notable Cast and Future of the Series
The cast of Landman continues to feature major names, with Billy Bob Thornton cast as Tommy Norris, Ali Larter as Angela Norris, and Michelle Randolph as Ainsley Norris. The mixture of seasoned actors and fresh faces remains a draw for audiences, despite recent divides in viewership opinion.
The show’s narrative has always embraced melodrama, a signature of Sheridan’s style seen in works like Yellowstone and Tulsa King. However, what audiences tolerated as dramatic flair in earlier episodes now seems to be a point of frustration for many, raising questions about the direction of characters and storylines going forward. With Paramount already confirming a renewal for Season 3, it remains to be seen if Landman can maintain its high viewership or if the negative audience feedback will impact future performance.
Significance of Landman’s Streaming Success
Landman’s latest achievement underscores Taylor Sheridan’s influential presence in popular streaming television. While critical and audience opinions diverge sharply after the second season’s release, the Taylor Sheridan Landman streaming record demonstrates the show’s ability to draw large crowds rapidly. As new episodes arrive and reaction continues to unfold, the real test for Sheridan, his creative team, and Paramount+ will be whether the series can sustain momentum and address the evolving expectations of their diverse audience.
