The popular oil field drama series Landman, featuring stars Billy Bob Thornton and Demi Moore, is now available in Afrikaans on kykNET starting Sunday, 22 February 2026. This Paramount production, which centers around the intense oil rush in West Texas, brings its addictive story to South African audiences in their mother tongue, marking one of only a few official dubbed versions worldwide.
The Afrikaans adaptation allows local viewers to experience the high-stakes world of oil exploration with familiar voices, expanding the show’s reach beyond its English-speaking fan base.
Excitement and Anticipation from M-Net and Viewers
Waldimar Pelser, the M-Net Director of Premium Channels, expressed enthusiasm about the release, highlighting the diverse audience this Afrikaans dubbing will attract.
“We are very excited to see how viewers will react to Landman – both those who will be watching the series for the first time, and those who have already seen the show in English on M-Net and now want to experience it in their mother tongue,”
Pelser said.
He also offered a lighthearted warning to viewers, noting,
“it gets rather hot down there in Texas at times!”
Behind the Scenes: Creation and Setting of ‘Landman’
The series was created by Christian Wallace and Taylor Sheridan, renowned for their work on acclaimed TV dramas such as Yellowstone, 1883, and 1923. Set against the backdrop of West Texas, Landman tells the intertwined stories of wealthy oil barons, field workers, and the complex web of relationships shaped by the booming oil industry in the region.
The show paints a gritty portrait of the oil rush, blending drama and tension in a way that distinguishes it from classic oil dramas.
A Style Unique to ‘Landman’: Gritty Yet Complex
The series has been described as more textured and grounded than the polished rivalries of Dallas. Journalist Mohammed Brukner noted,
“Dallas with JR Ewing, and more of a dusty, dirt-under-your-nails type tale featuring complex personalities,”
providing a sense of the show’s tone.
Although it explores themes of capitalism and moral dilemmas, Landman stops short of the dark intensity found in films like There Will Be Blood and Martin Scorsese’s Killers of the Flower Moon, making it accessible without sacrificing depth.
Billy Bob Thornton’s Role as Tommy Norris
Veteran actor Billy Bob Thornton takes on the lead role of Tommy Norris, a skilled landman who negotiates deals between oil companies and landowners. His job involves securing extraction rights while navigating legal complexities, often challenged by high-powered attorneys. The role highlights the negotiation tactics and power struggles intrinsic to the oil industry.
The storyline also incorporates the geographical proximity of West Texas to Mexico, illustrating how drug cartels exploit the border, adding additional tension to the narrative.
Key Cast Members and Their Afrikaans Voices
The Afrikaans version brings together a talented translation and dubbing team, including translators Morné Coetzer, Janine Opperman, and Francois le Roux, and dubbing directors Rina Nienaber and De Waal Stemmet, who collectively preserved the atmosphere and intensity of the original series.
Notable Afrikaans voice roles include:
- Tommy Norris (voiced by De Waal Stemmet), the seasoned landman balancing multiple demanding relationships.
- Angela (voiced by Natasja Jacobs), Tommy’s former wife and mother to their children, Cooper and Ainsley.
- Monty Miller (voiced by Charl van Heyningen), owner of M-Tex Oil and Tommy’s longtime associate.
- Cami Miller (voiced by Renske Jacobs), Monty’s wife who plays a supporting role in the storyline.
The supporting cast features voices for Cooper (Rowlen von Gericke), Ainsley (Anré Buguegnon), lawyer Rebecca Falcone (Sue Pyler), petroleum engineer Dale Bradley (Antowan Nöthling), administrator Nathan (Jakkie Groenewald), and young widow Ariana Medina (Claudia Jones).
An Ongoing Success: Seasons and Future Filming
Filming for Landman began in February 2024 in Fort Worth, Texas. The first two episodes premiered on 17 November 2024, quickly cementing the show as an international success. The first season concluded with 10 episodes on 12 January 2025, and the second season has already commenced. Production rights for a third season were secured in December 2025.
Despite rumors of Billy Bob Thornton leaving the show, the actor dispelled those reports in a USA Today interview, calling them “AI-generated crap,” confirming his return for the new season.
Where and When to Watch Afrikaans ‘Landman’
The Afrikaans dubbed version of Landman airs on kykNET (DStv channel 144) from Sunday, 22 February at 9 pm. It will also be accessible on DStv Stream and Catch Up, with a 16+ age restriction in place.
This adaptation brings the powerful stories of landmen, oilfield workers, and the high-stakes oil industry in West Texas into the homes of Afrikaans-speaking viewers, broadening the show’s impact in South Africa and beyond.
