‘Landman’ Actor Drops Bombshell: Confirms Season 1’s Dangerous Oil Rig Stunts Are “All Real”

Landman star Jacob Lofland explained that season 1’s oil rig stunts are as real as they appear. Taylor Sheridan’s West Texas-based oil drama premiered in November 2024, introducing Billy Bob Thornton as M-TEX Oil’s fixer, Tommy Norris. Lofland plays Tommy’s son, Cooper, who took after his father and worked in the West Texas oil patches in Landman season 1. Cooper takes on harrowing work hands-on, making for some of Landman season 1’s most shocking moments.

Lofland joined his co-stars Billy Bob Thornton, Ali Larter, and Andy Garcia at Newport Beach TV Fest’s Landman – Outstanding Drama Series panel. Lofland explained that the actors attended “a week of roughneck camp” to become accustomed to the equipment they were working on, adding, “By the way, it’s all real. No green screen.” Lofland credited Landman’s stunt coordinator, saying that he felt safe the entire time that he was “up on the mast and falling off.” Read Jacob’s full comment below:

We had a week of roughneck camp to get comfortable with the wells and rigs we were working on. By the way, it’s all real. No green screen. So that week was nice and good. We had some of the most amazing stunt people… Wade Allen is an amazing stunt coordinator. He kept me safe the entire time I was up on the mast and falling off. I always felt comfortable, but definitely, some preparation went into it. On the way, it was very fearful, but real quick and over fast, so it worked out.

What Jacob Lofland’s Comments Mean For Landman Season 2: Taylor Sheridan Is Going The Distance For His Oil Drama

Jacob Lofland’s comments confirm that filming Landman is just as immersive as some of Taylor Sheridan’s other shows. The Yellowstone executive producer goes to impressive lengths to ensure that his productions are as genuine as possible, with a few noteworthy instances in the Yellowstone franchise. For example, in Yellowstone season 2, when the Dutton Ranch cowboys play “cowboy poker,” releasing a bull into the pen and seeing who could be the last one standing, there was an actual bull released on set. Therefore, Lofland’s genuine stunts in Landman resonate with Sheridan’s reputation.

Lofland’s comments suggest that Sheridan is going to the same lengths to make Landman great as he did Yellowstone. Now that the original saga is over after Yellowstone season 5, Landman is considered Sheridan’s replacement for Kevin Costner’s show, so it’s good to see that he’s going the distance. Lofland’s comments explain partly why Landman season 1 was so appealing as a Yellowstone substitute, and it’s reasonable to assume that its creators will go to the same extreme to make Landman season 2 as gripping and realistic as season 1.

Our Take On Lofland’s Landman Comments: Lofland’s Revelation Informs His Stellar Performance

Jacob Lofland’s remarks shine a light on one of the best elements of Landman season 1. When discussing the moment he “was up on the mast and falling off,” the actor is referring to Cooper Norris’ scene in Landman’s premiere, wherein his co-workers, including Michael Peña’s Armando, prank him into climbing the oil mast as a means of initiation on his first work day. In the suspenseful scene, Cooper falls from the tower, immediately establishing how life-threatening Cooper’s new line of work is. This is even clearer when the oil rig explodes at the end of Landman episode 1.

Lofland’s portrayal is fantastic, and his week spent in “roughneck camp” doubtlessly contributed to what he was able to bring to the role.

I’m not surprised to hear authentic elements informed Jacob Lofland’s portrayal of Cooper working in the patch. When I was watching Lofland as the younger Norris in Landman season 1, Lofland’s character was one of the most believable, and not just because the actor is one of the lesser-known members of Landman‘s cast. Lofland’s portrayal is fantastic, and his week spent in “roughneck camp” doubtlessly contributed to what he was able to bring to the role. I’m hoping that Landman season 2 has some equally gripping scenes for Cooper outside his worm duties.