Billy Bob Thornton Talks Andy Garcia’s Big Role in Landman Season 2

After months of power plays, volatile and eccentric women, and a brutal cartel showdown, Landman officially wrapped its explosive first season — and Billy Bob Thornton was just as stunned by the show’s success as anyone watching at home. The Taylor Sheridan-created drama has become Paramount+’s most-watched original to date, pulling in 14.9 million households in its first four weeks and cementing itself as the next big thing in Sheridan’s ever-expanding television empire.

“I’ve been in some iconic movies over the years where the response has been pretty big,” Thornton told The Los Angeles Times. “But I’ve never seen anything like this. I have people coming up to me every day, everywhere I go, reciting lines. We’re blown away by it, in other words.”

Thornton stars as Tommy Norris, a very fed-up crisis manager for a major Texas oil company, who spends most of the season playing fixer — until the Season 1 finale turns his world inside out. Jon Hamm’s Monty Miller dies, handing the keys to the oil kingdom over to Tommy. Demi Moore’s Cami, now widowed, steps into a more powerful position. Tommy gets captured and tortured by cartel members. And the biggest curveball? Andy Garcia makes his first appearance as Galino, a cunning and calculating cartel boss.

“The greatest thing about the finale, in terms of my part in it is that Tommy is facing the rest of his life. He is facing very serious reflection and having to examine his philosophical beliefs, who he is and how he fits into this world. He also introduced Andy Garcia’s character. It’s the calm before the storm, and there’s already been the storm.”

What Will ‘Landman’ Season 2 Be About?

As for where Landman could go next, Thornton hopes Season 2 leans into the deepening moral gray area that now surrounds his character, who has more responsibility in his life but a bigger target on his back.

“I would certainly hope that the family dynamic continues and deepens,” he said. “I would also hope that we explore the weird position that Tommy is in with Andy’s character. Is he going home at night feeling guilty and wondering, ‘Am I in cahoots with criminals? I guess I am.’ How is this going to work out? Tommy isn’t dealing with henchmen anymore. He knew how to deal with them. But now he’s got a smart guy on the opposite side of the law who is his equal. We’re in a chess match, and I hope that’s explored.”

Landman Season 2 is in production now.