Landman cast reveals what fans don’t know about season 2

The oil fields are calling once again. Landman returns for its highly anticipated second season on Paramount Plus, and the cast is ready to spill some secrets about what viewers can expect from the Taylor Sheridan drama.

The series, which Sheridan created alongside Boomtown host Christian Wallace, follows Tommy Norris, a landman working for oil company M-Tex in the treacherous West Texas fields. Billy Bob Thornton brings the character to life, navigating everything from cartel threats to family drama while keeping drilling operations running smoothly.

Season 2 promises to dig deeper into the personal lives of these characters, and the cast members are clearly excited about the shift in focus. The show has already made waves with its unflinching look at the oil industry, but this time around, family takes center stage.

Tommy faces his humanity this season

Thornton revealed that audiences will see a different side of his character as the season progresses. The first season required establishing the oil business and introducing all the players, but now the show can breathe and explore deeper emotional territory.

Tommy will grapple with his own mortality, family dynamics and business pressures in ways that feel more intimate than before. The frenetic pace of season 1 gave way to moments where viewers can truly understand what drives this complicated man. All the thoughts that go through every human’s mind, all the struggles people face in their daily lives, will come to the forefront.

Angela’s journey explores the heart of the family

Ali Larter’s character Angela serves as the emotional anchor for much of the show’s family drama. While the first season focused heavily on the dangers of the oil industry and its cost to families, season 2 shifts its lens to examine the relationships that hold everyone together.

Angela’s love language comes through in dinner scenes where she tries to bring everyone together, putting pressure on those moments because she wants her family to feel connected. The push and pull between her and Tommy continues, but the season also includes quieter, more vulnerable scenes where they sit together and question whether their relationship can truly work.

The cast describes the family as the heartbeat of the show, with everything else revolving around those core connections.

Ainsley grows up before our eyes

Michelle Randolph’s character Ainsley begins the series at 17, and viewers watch her navigate her most formative years. This season tracks her realization that her parents aren’t perfect and don’t have all the answers.

Ainsley figures out her own identity and independence while learning to navigate attention and decide how she wants the world to see her. Randolph appreciates playing a character who isn’t fully formed yet, allowing her to plant seeds of realization throughout various scenes that foreshadow future growth.

The actress looks for those moments in every script, finding opportunities to show Ainsley maturing in small but meaningful ways.

That viral scene still haunts everyone

Remember that moment from the pilot that broke the internet? The one where Ainsley shares extremely personal details about her relationship with her boyfriend while Tommy can barely process what he’s hearing? Thornton cites it as one of his favorite moments from the entire series.

As a father to a 21-year-old daughter in real life, Thornton didn’t need to act much during that scene. His genuine reaction to hearing those words was captured on camera, and his only escape was to offer to get a Dr Pepper and walk away.

Randolph remembers filming the scene in freezing weather with only 10 minutes to capture it. A group of strangers sat in the bleachers behind them, hearing every word of that dialogue without any context about the show. The actress admits she felt mortified saying those lines out loud to random people, while Thornton had the easier job of simply walking away.

The cast is already thinking ahead

Sam Elliott, who plays Tommy’s father T.L., revealed that he’s already looking past season 2 even though a third season hasn’t been confirmed. Having worked with many of the crew members on 1883, he loves returning to Texas for production.

The combination of talented cast members, familiar crew and compelling material makes going to work feel like a joy rather than a job. Elliott’s enthusiasm for future seasons suggests the creative team has long-term plans for these characters.

His signature gravelly voice, by the way, is completely natural. No special care or maintenance required.

When to tune in

Landman season 2 premieres Nov. 16 on Paramount Plus, with new episodes dropping on Sundays. The Taylor Sheridan universe continues to expand, and this family-focused season promises to reveal new layers to characters viewers thought they already knew.

Source: Variety