The stars of Landman are speaking out about Taylor Sheridan’s much-talked-about departure from Paramount.
Last month, The Hollywood Reporter revealed that Sheridan — the powerhouse creator behind Yellowstone, 1923, and Landman — is preparing to leave Paramount for NBCUniversal. His new film deal with NBC is expected to begin next year, though his television commitments with Paramount will continue through the end of 2028.
At the premiere of Landman Season 2, lead star Billy Bob Thornton (who plays oil crisis manager Tommy Norris) said Sheridan’s upcoming move won’t affect the current Paramount series.
“I think the shows that are at Paramount stay at Paramount, so I don’t think those are affected,” Thornton told THR. “His deal is for the future. Taylor’s a brilliant guy — whatever he does next will be successful. At least I know it’ll be real.”
Joining the show this season is Sam Elliott, who plays Tommy’s father, T.L. Elliott echoed Thornton’s thoughts, saying Sheridan’s NBCUniversal venture won’t disrupt Landman’s trajectory.
“It’s not gonna impact this series because everything Taylor had at Paramount stays at Paramount,” Elliott explained. “The Universal thing is a whole new deal. It’s just great for Taylor’s world.”
When Landman debuted last November, it drew a massive 5.2 million viewers, marking Paramount+’s biggest series premiere in two years — second only to Sheridan’s Yellowstone prequel 1923, which launched to 7.4 million viewers in December 2022.
Thornton admitted that the success of Season 1 created a bit of pressure heading into the new season.
“Anytime you have a hit and it continues, there’s always pressure,” he said. “But once you start, you just have to forget that and do your job.”
His on-screen daughter Michelle Randolph (Ainsley Norris) is equally confident in the show’s future.
“There are so many stories to tell,” she said. “Season one only covered ten days in the show’s timeline, so there’s endless room for growth. Every character is deeply flawed in their own way — that’s what makes them human and fun to watch.”
Randolph also shared her excitement about Demi Moore’s expanded role this season.
“I love working with Demi. Plus, her adorable dog Pilaf was on set,” she laughed. “It was supposedly the luckiest day of the year horoscope-wise — and there I was, filming with Demi, Sam Elliott, Andy Garcia, Billy Bob, and Ali Larter. I had to pinch myself.”
