Billy Bob Thornton Addresses Landman’s Future Beyond Season 2

Billy Bob Thornton has addressed how long Landman will last beyond season 2, explaining his vision for the future of the oil-focused drama. Landman season 2 has begun on Paramount+, showcasing Thornton’s Tommy struggling to run M-Tex in the wake of Monty’s (John Hamm) death. The show’s grounded, business-driven focus makes it ripe for future storytelling as well.

Speaking with The Hollywood Reporter, Thornton, who has signed on for at least four years of Landman, explained how long he could see the show running for. When asked if the series could last 10 years, he was affirmative, saying it’ll be clear when it’s time for the show to end based on how many ideas for its future remain:

Well, yes, absolutely. As long as I’m able, I want to do it. Or, until the story runs out. When I did [Amazon’s] Goliath, where I played a lawyer, I signed up for four years. And after those four years, we were satisfied. Sometimes people can go a bridge too far. There are certain shows that have been on for 12, 14, 17 seasons. After a while, it’s like, “OK, we get it. But what are you going to come up with next?” You either have to do something ridiculous or repeat stuff you’ve already been doing. So I think Landman, as an entity, will know when it’s over.

Season 2’s biggest focus is on Tommy and Cami (Demi Moore) trying to manage M-Tex after discovering Monty was involved in illegal monetary transactions and fraud. At the same time, the protagonist will be reconnecting with his father, T.L. (Sam Elliott), following the death of his mother. Cooper (Jacob Lofland) is also building a budding oil empire of his own.

The many moving parts of the show, from Landman‘s characters to its many storylines, makes it clear the series could continue exploring the oil business for many years to come. Based on Thornton’s statement, it seems like a realistic approach, especially if he’d be willing to portray Tommy for a decade if the story is strong enough.

However, if the show does continue for a lengthy stretch of time, it will do so without co-creator and writer Taylor Sheridan. The creative signed a deal with NBCUniversal last month, confirming he’d begin developing TV shows for them in January 2029. This means he’ll be exiting Paramount at the end of 2028, no longer involved in his TV series.

Even so, there’s still three years before his deal goes into effect, making it a problem Landman doesn’t have to worry about for some time. The show already laid the groundwork for how the series can build its story over the course of years. Tommy and Cami being in charge of M-Tex, alongside Cooper’s endeavors, seem primed for lengthy storylines.

Thornton’s statement is a good sign Landman will make it to season 3 and a bit further beyond, perhaps becoming a permanent fixture of the actors’ career for a long time. It seems like, as long as the series continues to develop new and interesting storylines for its characters, the lead actor will remain involved in the show.

New episodes of Landman air Sundays on Paramount+.