Taylor Sheridan writing process has become a hallmark of character-driven storytelling, impressing both audiences and actors alike. Billy Bob Thornton, who stars in Paramount+’s ‘Landman,’ recently discussed Sheridan’s unconventional approach, noting that his writing speed and his knack for crafting distinctive characters set him apart in the industry.
Thornton described what it’s like to work under Sheridan’s leadership, highlighting how the creator’s focus on character-driven plots continues to surprise and challenge the cast. Sheridan himself has openly explained his aversion to the traditional writers’ room approach, instead preferring to let individual characters guide the story rather than relying on group-written arcs.
During a conversation with The Hollywood Reporter, Sheridan emphasized,
“My stories have a very simple plot that is driven by the characters as opposed to characters driven by a plot — the antithesis of the way television is normally modeled,”
Sheridan said.
“I’m really interested in the dirty of the relationships in literally every scene.”
—Taylor Sheridan, Creator
He elaborated that group writing often diverts from this core creative aim, leading him to opt-out of standard writers’ rooms.
“But when you hire a room that may not be motivated by those same qualities — and a writer always wants to take ownership of something they’re writing — and I give this directive and they’re not feeling it, then they’re going to come up with their own qualities,”
Sheridan said.
“So for me, writers rooms, they haven’t worked.”
—Taylor Sheridan, Creator
Thornton reinforced that Sheridan’s creative method is not only rare but instrumental in the show’s widespread appeal. He noted the cast frequently discusses their amazement at how much and how quickly Sheridan writes, never compromising on quality.
“He knows how to strike a nerve with people. I’m not exactly sure what it is,”
Thornton said.
“We’ve talked about it before, me and the other cast mates. We don’t understand how he writes so much and so quickly and does such great work. He has his finger on the pulse of humans somehow.”
—Billy Bob Thornton, Actor
Thornton also acknowledged Sheridan’s skill in matching performers to roles, explaining that this strengthens both the writing and on-screen character portrayal.
“He’s very good at putting the right people in the right parts,”
Thornton said.
“I think he knows what we are going to do, so he can write towards that, and that’s a real strength for a writer.”
“If you are writing with one voice, you can tell that on screen. Taylor has a specific voice for each character.”
—Billy Bob Thornton, Actor
Cast Responds to Reports About Sheridan’s Possible Move From Paramount
In recent industry news, reports surfaced suggesting Taylor Sheridan may eventually take his creative work from Paramount to NBCUniversal with a film agreement expected to begin next year. Despite this, Sheridan’s television contract with Paramount is confirmed to remain in place through 2028.
Billy Bob Thornton, addressing these rumors before the ‘Landman’ season 2 premiere, assured fans that Sheridan’s future plans will not disrupt current programming at Paramount.
“I think the shows that are at Paramount, stay at Paramount, so I don’t think those are affected,”
Thornton told The Hollywood Reporter.
“His deal is for the future. And who knows what that holds. Taylor is a brilliant guy, and I’m sure wherever he goes, whatever he does is gonna be successful, at least I know it’ll be real.”
—Billy Bob Thornton, Actor
Sam Elliott, joining season 2 as Tommy Norris’ father, agreed with this perspective, –
“It’s not gonna impact the future of this series because everything that Taylor had at Paramount is gonna stay at Paramount,”
Elliott told the outlet.
“The Universal thing, as I understand, it’s a whole new deal, so it’s just great for Taylor’s world.”
—Sam Elliott, Actor
The popularity of ‘Landman’ is evident, as its first season drew an impressive 5.2 million viewers, marking the biggest premiere on Paramount+ in two years. This strong debut sets high expectations for the show’s future.
Thornton commented on the added responsibility the show now faces after a successful start, stating,
“Anytime you have a success and it’s going to continue, there’s always pressure to make sure that it continues,”
he said.
“So, we felt it, but once you start, you just have to forget that and go out there and do your job.”
—Billy Bob Thornton, Actor
Michelle Randolph, who brings Ainsley Norris to life, sees continued promise for the series. She remarked on the depth of the story and characters, noting,
“The first season was 10 days in the show so I’m like, we could film the show for so long,”
Randolph said.
“There’s so much room for growth in every single character; they’re all deeply flawed in their own ways, which is what makes them really enticing to watch because it’s very human.”
—Michelle Randolph, Actor
What Lies Ahead for ‘Landman’ and Sheridan’s Creative Legacy
The ‘Landman’ season 2 finale is set to premiere Sunday, January 18, continuing Sheridan’s reputation for high-stakes, character-driven drama. The series’ success is a testament to Sheridan’s singular writing process and skill in selecting cast members like Billy Bob Thornton, Sam Elliott, and Michelle Randolph, who bring his vision to life.
As speculation continues about Sheridan’s future beyond Paramount+, the enduring appeal of his character-focused storytelling ensures that his existing work remains influential. Viewers and industry insiders alike are watching to see how his signature style—shaped by his unique approach to writers rooms and character development—will impact future projects. Paramount+’s investment in ‘Landman’ and the creative freedom granted to its team look likely to pay dividends as the second season concludes and discussions about Sheridan’s next moves carry on.
