The ever-growing list of “Yellowstone” spin-offs proves that Taylor Sheridan knows how to milk a franchise, but there is more to his oeuvre than Dutton family drama. “Landman” is an oil-themed series with no connection to the “Yellowstone” universe, yet both properties are similar in the sense that they are doing huge numbers for the Paramount Network. In fact, “Landman” season 1 broke streaming records and made an unlikely fan out of Stephen King, who hates himself for enjoying Sheridan’s series.
Be that as it may, Billy Bob Thornton (who plays Tommy Norris on “Landman”) isn’t surprised by its success … though he was caught off-guard by its reach. As he told the Los Angeles Times:
As Thornton mentioned, “Yellowstone” is mostly popular in the U.S.’s so-called “flyover” states. “Landman,” meanwhile, seems to be more accessible for viewers across the board — and the actor believes it’s due to the series’ subject matter and ability to connect with audiences on a human level.
Landman explores an industry that other TV shows ignore
Paramount Network
“Landman” isn’t a documentary about the oil industry, but at least the show tries to portray the industry’s roughnecks and their experiences in an authentic light. Tommy Norris is also a classic underdog who must cope with politicians, lawyers, capitalists, and the cartel while trying to keep his head above water, making him easy to root for. According to Billy Bob Thornton in the aforementioned interview, these aspects of the show are why it’s resonating with millions of viewers. What’s more, he believes that the oil industry fascinates audiences, as it’s quite fresh in the world of modern TV dramas
Of course, Thornton’s impressive performance hasn’t hurt the show’s success, either. However, the actor praised Taylor Sheridan for writing for him a character he can sink his teeth into, noting that he’s been able to channel some of his own personality into his “Landman” performances. Tommy Norris’ deadpan vulgarity and world-weary nature suits Thornton’s sensibilities, and it seems like he’s passionate about the character — which goes a long way.
