It’s no debate that Taylor Sheridan has reinvigorated Western TV shows, but also managed to constantly break records and now has loads of fans worldwide. Sheridan’s series, Landman, is no exception, and its star, Billy Bob Thornton, finally addressed a question millions have been asking.
Landman recently concluded season 2 and broke even more records for Paramount+ on its premiere. The series follows Tommy Norris as he competes against rednecks and billionaires trying to get even richer in the oil business in West Texas. The series includes stars such as Thornton, Ali Larter, Sam Elliott, Michelle Randolph, Demi Moore, and Jon Hamm.
In an interview with Variety, Thornton addressed filming Landman’s latest season and also discussed why Sheridan’s record-breaking series are usually left out of award conversations. Thornton praised the series and stated he was “surprised” by how it became an international hit with fans all over the world, but it still hasn’t received much recognition from Hollywood:
"I think a lot of it’s political. I think some people assume Taylor is some sort of right-wing guy or something, and he’s really not. Even with this show being about the oil business, he just shows you what it’s like. He’s not saying 'Rah, rah, rah for oil.'
It’s just the people who work in this business or who are affected by this business, the people on the periphery and within the families in the business; this is what happens. But I think people got the wrong idea about that.
Acting is not a sport. If you run the 100-meter dash in the Olympics and you break the tape first, you win. There’s no question about it. Everybody saw it. How do you say in the artistic world who won? It’s an intangible thing."
Landman, at the time of writing, has two wins and 15 nominations under its belt, including some from the Golden Globes and Screen Actors Guild Awards. Sheridan himself has yet to see awards for his many shows, including Yellowstone, but he did receive an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Screenplay for the neo-western crime thriller Hell or High Water.
It’s unclear why shows such as Yellowstone and Landman haven’t received more awards due to their continuous success in breaking records and being some of the most-watched series available on streaming. Thornton’s comments on Sheridan’s snubs could be an indication of why Hollywood continues to ignore the writer and director.
Landman seasons 1 and 2 are available to stream on Paramount+.
Taylor Sheridan Exit Addressed By Landman Star
Landman season 2 has officially come to a close, and with season 3 on the horizon, Jacob Lofland reflects on the show and its future, including Taylor Sheridan's upcoming departure.
Although Sheridan will soon be leaving Paramount, he will still be around for Landman season 3. However, if the show gets renewed after its third installment, there will be a noticeable shift as the creator is leaving Paramount when his contract ends in 2028 and joins NBCUniversal in 2029.
His decision to leave has driven a wedge between both critics and audiences. While many support his new endeavors and are excited to see what he does next, others were worried about their favorite shows losing the person who created and nurtured them.
In an interview with ScreenRant's Grant Hermanns for the Landman season 2 finale, Lofland, who portrays Cooper in the Paramount+ series, offered his own input regarding Sheridan's departure. The actor said that he was sad to see him go, and it's something that he tries not to think about.
However, he has faith in the creative team behind the hit drama series, such as Christian Wallace (co-creator and executive producer), who will most likely be staying on board after Landman season 3. Lofland said that Sheridan's departure and reasons for leaving were none of his business, so he wasn't going to get involved:
Yeah, I try not to think about it. No, I mean, I trust everyone there. We'll just see what happens. And I don't know, that's not my business, so I try to stay out of it. That's between them.
Sheridan first confirmed that he was leaving Paramount for NBCUniversal in October 2025. The creator struck a five-year deal with the latter for film, television, and streaming. The contract will go into effect on January 1, 2029. His longtime business partner, David Glasser, will also leave for NBCUniversal, bringing 101 Studios with him under a first-look film and TV deal after the company completes its remaining projects with Paramount.
Sheridan has also delivered many successful TV shows for Paramount during his time with the studio. Beginning with Yellowstone, he continued to put out high-performing series that have ranked among Paramount+’s most-watched titles. He also played a significant role in attracting and retaining new subscribers for the streaming platform.
Landman seasons 1 and 2 can be streamed on Paramount+.
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