After plenty of hype, the new Taylor Sheridan series Landman is finally hitting Paramount+ tomorrow, offering viewers a closer look at the fascinating world of oil and gas in West Texas.
Paramount describes Landman as “a modern-day tale of fortune-seeking in the world of oil rigs… an upstairs/downstairs story of roughnecks and wildcat billionaires fueling an oil boom so big it’s reshaping our climate, economy, and geopolitics.” The show is based on the podcast Boomtown, which chronicled the West Texas oil boom, co-created by Christian Wallace, the host of Boomtown, and Taylor Sheridan, the creator behind Yellowstone and its prequels.
The title Landman refers to a key role in the oil and gas industry. A landman is responsible for negotiating land leases and securing mineral rights for oil and gas companies. Essentially, they work with landowners to secure the rights needed for drilling. It’s a critical job involving complex negotiations, making it ripe for dramatic storytelling. Alternatively, in many cases Landman is now synonymous with “Mineral Bro” as the industry has expanded into not only leasing, but the outright purchase of mineral rights for operators, private equity funds, family offices, and independent oil and gas investors who are looking to build wealth through “mailbox money.”
Landman features a star-studded cast, including Billy Bob Thornton, Jon Hamm, Demi Moore, and Ali Larter. Thornton plays Tommy Norris, a crisis executive—essentially a landman—who is trying to keep his oil company afloat during a major oil boom. In the trailer, Tommy says, “The oil and gas industry makes $3 billion a day in pure profit, and it’s only getting bigger. But before any of that money is made, you got to secure the land and manage the people. That’s my job. The first part’s pretty simple. It’s the second part that can get you killed.” That line captures the essence of a landman’s work: securing the land and managing all the people involved.
Thornton’s character works for Monty Miller, an oil tycoon played by Jon Hamm. Describing his role, Thornton said, “I’m the go-between for the people in the oil fields and Jon, who owns the company. My job is to make him money, and there’s a lot of pressure to get it done.” Demi Moore plays Monty Miller’s wife, Cami, whom she describes as “the caretaker of the group,” adding another layer to the show’s complex relationships.
Ali Larter takes on the role of Angela Norris, Tommy’s ex-wife. Larter describes Angela as “a wild cat” who is back to shake things up in Tommy’s life. The cast also includes Jacob Lofland as Cooper Norris, Tommy’s son, and Michael Peña as Armando, an oil crewman, highlighting both the family dynamics and the gritty reality of the oil field life.
Mustafa Speaks plays Boss, one of the experienced roughnecks on Tommy’s crew. “He’s all about relationships,” Mustafa shared in an interview. “He cares about his guys, his family, and just wants to make sure everyone is taken care of.” This brotherhood is key to life in the oil fields, where trust and loyalty among the crew mean everything.
The first two episodes of Landman will be available on Paramount+ starting November 17. The series promises an intriguing look into the oil and gas industry, filled with the highs and lows of land deals, the personalities that drive the business, and the high stakes of chasing oil money. Whether you work in the industry or are just curious about it, Landman offers a dramatic glimpse into what it takes to secure mineral rights and succeed in the energy game.
