Billy Bob Thornton says Taylor Sheridan’s Landman has become a global hit because it connects with viewers across class lines, especially working people who relate to the show’s themes of struggle, family pressure and life in the oil industry. Speaking at the Newport Beach TV Fest, Thornton said Sheridan has a rare ability to understand “all people,” which he believes is a major reason the series has traveled well beyond its Texas setting and become an international success.
Thornton noted that Landman stands out because it blends several tones at once instead of sticking to one formula. While many shows lean heavily into one genre, he said Landman combines emotion, drama, humor, absurdity and danger, creating a mix that keeps audiences engaged. He also pointed to the cast, saying the characters feel authentic and grounded rather than overly polished or artificial.
Based on the podcast Boomtown, Landman follows the Permian Basin oil boom in West Texas during the early 2010s, a period driven by advances in oil drilling technology. Thornton stars as Tommy Norris, a landman and crisis manager for the fictional oil company M-Tex. The series also features Ali Larter, Michelle Randolph, Demi Moore, Jon Hamm and Andy Garcia.
Garcia, who also spoke with Fox News Digital at the event, praised Sheridan’s storytelling and the strength of the ensemble cast. He said the quality of the writing, the show’s design, photography and direction all contribute to its success, but that everything begins with Sheridan’s words and the way he structures each season.
The show’s broad appeal, Thornton suggested, comes from its ability to balance realism with entertainment while tapping into universal themes of survival, family and work. That combination, he said, helps explain why Landman has resonated with audiences in the United States and around the world.
Paramount+ has officially confirmed Landman Season 3.
