Taylor Sheridan’s 'Landman' Series: Your Essential Guide to the 2024 Oil Drama
By Jenna Williamson
As fans eagerly anticipate the debut of Taylor Sheridan's Landman, it’s clear that this upcoming oil-industrial drama on Paramount+ is shaping up to be one of the biggest television events of 2024. Known for his knack for crafting riveting modern-day Western sagas such as Yellowstone and 1883, Taylor Sheridan is bringing his distinctive storytelling style to a new, volatile backdrop: the West Texas oil boom. With a star-studded cast featuring Jon Hamm and Billy Bob Thornton, Landman promises to be a compelling narrative set against roughnecks, wildcatters, and billionaires battling it out in the high-stakes energy sector.
Table of Contents
- Plot and Setting
- Cast Details
- The Mind Behind Landman
- Release Date and Episodes
- What to Expect from Landman
Plot and Setting
Set in the oil-rich boomtowns of West Texas, Landman is centered around the seismic shifts in power, wealth, and survival in a region where the earth's black gold dictates fortunes. The series explores the real-life dynamics between the roughnecks on the rigs and the billionaires who stand to profit from their sweat. Amidst these clashing worlds is Tommy Norris (played by Jon Hamm), a once-successful oil industry executive who is scrapping to rise again as the Texas oil fields explode with new unearthed fortunes.
Described as an \ “upstairs-downstairs\" drama, Sheridan's Landman delves into both the luxurious boardrooms where oil magnates make billion-dollar decisions and the harsh realities for the men working the rigs. With West Texas oil fields being such a pivotal part of the story, the tension, danger, and backdoor dealings surrounding this world create a fertile ground for Sheridan's nuanced, character-driven writing.
Cast Details
Aside from Jon Hamm tackling the lead role in the series, Sheridan has assembled a formidable cast to breathe life into this intense story. Hamm, known for his role in Mad Men, takes on the role of Tommy Norris, a complicated executive navigating lofty ambitions and personal strife. Additionally, Billy Bob Thornton is bringing his charisma to the series, adding veteran star power to an already magnetic cast.
Here's a quick look at the key players in Landman:
- Jon Hamm as Tommy Norris
- Billy Bob Thornton as a mysterious wildcatter with deep ties to Texas oil fields
- Academy Award-winning actors and some fresh faces rounding out the ensemble (full cast details yet to be released)
The Mind Behind Landman: Taylor Sheridan
No conversation about Landman can be complete without talking about its mastermind—Taylor Sheridan. Sheridan has become synonymous with creating deeply textured shows that explore human nature, power dynamics, and modern-day societal pressures. His previous works, including Yellowstone and Mayor of Kingstown, have earned him a reputation as one of television’s most gifted storytellers.
With Landman, Sheridan steps away from ranches and sheriffs and moves into the unpredictable world of oil-speculation, where fortunes are lost and made in an instant. If his previous success with deeply personal yet universal stories is anything to go by, Landman is set to follow that same winning formula.
Release Date and Episodes
Paramount+ has confirmed that Landman will officially begin streaming on November 17, 2024. Expected to follow a weekly release schedule, much like Sheridan’s other hit shows, fans can anticipate around 8–10 episodes unfolding over the course of several weeks, building more anticipation with each one.
While the release date may seem far off, rest assured that trailers and teasers will keep Taylor Sheridan fans on edge in the months to come.
What to Expect from Landman
If you've been captivated by the sweeping vistas and family sagas of Yellowstone, expect a similarly expansive, breathtaking backdrop in Landman. As roughnecks and oil barons clash over resources, the script will likely explore themes of wealth, exploitation, loyalty, and the risks that these men take while trying to capitalize on one of the world’s most lucrative resources—oil.
Ultimately, Landman promises to be more than a Texas oil drama. True to Sheridan's style, viewers will be treated to complex characters who wrestle with profoundly human dilemmas, set against a backdrop of shifting power dynamics in a boom-or-bust world.