The entertainment world is buzzing with the news of Taylor Sheridan’s impending departure from Paramount, and the stars of Landman are finally breaking their silence. But here’s where it gets controversial: while fans worry about the show’s future, Billy Bob Thornton and Sam Elliott are surprisingly unfazed. Could this be a sign of confidence, or are they downplaying the impact? Let’s dive in.
Last month, The Hollywood Reporter dropped a bombshell: Sheridan, the mastermind behind Landman, is set to leave Paramount for NBCUniversal, with a film deal kicking off next year. However, his TV deal with Paramount doesn’t expire until the end of 2028, leaving fans and industry insiders alike wondering what this means for the show. And this is the part most people miss: Sheridan’s departure isn’t immediate, and his existing projects, including Landman, are expected to remain at Paramount.
During the premiere of Landman’s second season, Billy Bob Thornton, who plays the charismatic oil crisis manager Tommy Norris, shared his thoughts. “I think the shows that are at Paramount, stay at Paramount, so I don’t think those are affected,” Thornton told THR on the red carpet. “His deal is for the future. And who knows what that holds? Taylor is a brilliant guy, and I’m sure wherever he goes, whatever he does is gonna be successful—at least I know it’ll be real.” Thornton’s calm demeanor suggests he’s not sweating the change, but is this optimism warranted, or is he simply putting on a brave face?
Sam Elliott, a newcomer to Landman this season, echoed Thornton’s sentiments. Playing T.L., Tommy’s father, Elliott assured fans, “It’s not gonna impact the future of this series because everything that Taylor had at Paramount is gonna stay at Paramount. It’s not like he’s taking it there.” He added, “The Universal thing, as I understand, it’s a whole new deal, so it’s just great for Taylor’s world. I think it’s fantastic.” But is this transition as seamless as Elliott makes it seem, or are there potential cracks beneath the surface?
When Landman debuted last November, it drew an impressive 5.2 million viewers, marking Paramount+’s biggest series launch in two years—second only to Sheridan’s Yellowstone prequel, 1923, which pulled in 7.4 million cross-platform viewers in December 2022. With such high stakes, Thornton admitted to feeling the pressure to deliver a second season that lives up to the hype. “Anytime you have a success and it’s gonna continue, there’s always pressure to make sure that it continues,” he said. “If you’re making movies, you do a sequel—always pressure. So, we felt it, but once you start, you just have to forget that and go out there and do your job.”
Meanwhile, Michelle Randolph, who plays Thornton’s on-screen daughter Ainsley Norris, believes Landman has only scratched the surface. “There’s so many stories to tell. There’s so many really distinct characters,” she said. “I feel like we could go on and on because the first season was just 10 days in the show. There’s so much room for growth in every single character; they’re all deeply flawed in their own ways, which is what makes them really enticing to watch because it’s very human.” Randolph also gushed about welcoming Demi Moore back to the cast, this time in a larger role, alongside her adorable dog Pilaf. “Horoscope-wise, it was the luckiest day of the year, everyone kept telling me, and I was on set with Demi, Sam Elliott, Andy Garcia, Billy Bob, Ali Larter—I just had to pinch myself,” she recalled.
As Landman’s second season prepares to debut on Paramount+ on November 16, the question remains: Can the show thrive without Sheridan’s direct involvement in the long term? Or is his departure a blessing in disguise, allowing new voices to shape its future? What do you think? Is Sheridan’s move a cause for concern, or is Landman destined to succeed no matter what? Share your thoughts in the comments—let’s spark a debate!