Billy Bob Thornton takes on a gripping role in Landman, a new Paramount+ series set against the rugged landscapes of West Texas. Created by Taylor Sheridan, the mastermind behind Yellowstone, the series explores themes of family, legacy, and the power struggles that come with corporate greed.
Landman dives into the life of Tommy Norris (Billy Bob Thornton), who struggles to balance his well-being with the looming pressures of a corporate takeover in West Texas. Facing a world where family values clash with the relentless pursuit of profit, Tommy’s journey captures the spirit of resilience.
Release details
Landman will be available for streaming on Paramount+ starting November 17, 2024. The show will launch with two episodes; the remaining eight episodes will drop every Sunday. In the UK, fans can tune in to watch the show starting November 18.
In a story that’s as much about personal survival as it is about corporate power, Landman takes a deep look into the choices people make when money and land are at stake.
Plot details
Inspired by the popular 2019 Boomtown podcast, Landman is set against the backdrop of the Texas oil industry. The show follows the Norris family as they juggle the politics, environmental impact, and ethical dilemmas of the oil industry. At its heart, the series focuses on family, power, and survival.
Based on Boomtown, an 11-part podcast, Landman draws from real-world oil industry stories. The podcast hit number one on streaming charts, shedding light on Texas’s modern oil boom and the industry’s impact on the environment. The series adaptation aims to capture the same gritty, complex world of high-stakes energy politics.
In the oil industry, a landman is responsible for negotiating with landowners to acquire leases for drilling. They research land records to understand mineral rights and often act as the go-between for oil companies and property owners.
Cast details
The cast of Landman is packed with star power. Billy Bob Thornton leads the cast as Tommy Norris, a rough-and-tumble oil worker navigating life’s ups and downs. He’s joined by:
- Demi Moore as Cami
- Jon Hamm as Monty Miller, a powerful oil tycoon
- Ali Larter as Angela
- Robyn Lively as Ellie
- Michelle Randolph as Ainsley Norris, Tommy’s daughter
- Jacob Lofland as Cooper Norris, Tommy’s son
- Bart Johnson as Patrick Ramsey
- Michael Peña in a yet-to-be-revealed role
Some familiar faces from Sheridan’s Yellowstone universe also join the cast, adding an extra layer of connection for fans.
Trailer
The first trailer for Landman dropped on September 5, 2024, giving fans a taste of what’s to come. It opens with a fiery oil rig explosion, quickly establishing the high stakes in the story. The trailer hints at the tension between Jon Hamm’s Monty Miller, a ruthless oil magnate, and Billy Bob Thornton’s Tommy Norris, a working-class hero with a strong moral compass.
A second trailer was released on October 28, 2024, adding more details. It highlights Tommy’s struggle, emphasizing the unyielding power of the oil industry. In a memorable line, Tommy states:
“Men die, oil companies don’t,” capturing the essence of the show’s exploration of profit versus humanity.
Unlike typical Hollywood takes on big business, Landman aims to present a nuanced view of the oil industry. It addresses how the industry affects not only families like the Norris family but also the global economy, climate, and geopolitics.
Landman will be streaming exclusively on Paramount+ in the U.S. and available the following day in the UK. Like Sheridan’s other series, Landman is expected to stay a Paramount+ exclusive.
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