Landman Season 2 Finale Shakes Up Paramount Plus

The dust has barely settled on the explosive second season of Landman, Paramount+’s oil-soaked drama, but the buzz around its finale and the future of the show is only heating up. As of January 18, 2026, the sophomore season wrapped up with a series of high-stakes twists, shifting its focus from the cutthroat oil business to the tangled web of family dynamics—and leaving fans eager for what’s next.

At the heart of Landman is Tommy, portrayed by the ever-charismatic Billy Bob Thornton. In a candid interview with Variety published on January 18, Thornton, now 70, reflected on his character’s tumultuous journey through season two. He described Tommy as brash, brilliant, and quick-witted, always keeping his cool under pressure. Thornton’s own energy seems to infuse the role, making Tommy a magnetic force on screen. "Some of the hardest stuff I had to do was when I had to be abrupt to, or even mean with, Sam Elliott," Thornton admitted, referencing his longtime friend and co-star. "Sam and I are old, old friends. He’s been like a pop to me since I’ve known him in the ’80s. He’s been a mentor, a friend and everything. Sometimes, knowing the other human, it’s not as easy to just go for it, but you have to. You have to go 100%."

This season, the show’s dramatic focus shifted away from oil rigs and boardrooms to the personal struggles and triumphs of its characters. Yet, the series never lost sight of its roots in the oil industry. According to Thornton, that’s part of what makes Landman resonate with such a broad audience. "It’s interesting because we were very surprised it became an international hit. We thought it was going to appeal to Middle America, maybe not even the coasts. Now we have fans from Africa, South America, Canada, Australia, England, wherever it is," he told Variety. "I think a lot of it is because the characters are unabashedly who they are. I think people like it that we just say and do whatever we do. There’s no walking on eggshells because we’re worried of what someone’s going to think."

Thornton also gave credit to Taylor Sheridan, the show’s co-creator and writer, for assembling a cast with instant chemistry. "This cast has such great chemistry, and it was instant chemistry, which is awesome. But Sam, Andy Garcia and Demi [Moore] and I all go way back. Ali [Larter] and Michelle [Randolph] and Jacob [Lofland] and Kayla Wallace and James Jordan, none of us knew each other. But somehow we had a chemistry that was there from day one. It’s also a tribute to Taylor, because he knows who to cast and for what part. He really does."

The season’s finale didn’t hold back on drama. One of the most gripping storylines involved Cooper, played by Jacob Lofland, who convinced Ariana (Paulina Chávez) to report her assault to the authorities. Things took a shocking turn when Ariana's assailant died from a heart attack at the hospital, thrusting Cooper into the crosshairs of a police investigation. "It’s really script by script. [Creator Taylor Sheridan and I] haven’t even really had that many conversations. I just get them and go, 'OK, I guess we’re going this direction now,'" Lofland, 29, revealed to Us Weekly. Cooper’s father, Tommy, quickly stepped in to shield his son from legal trouble, enlisting Rebecca (Kayla Wallace) to help ensure Cooper wouldn’t be charged. "One of the most fun parts of the finale was probably getting to work with Kayla in the interrogation room. As soon as I read that script, I was like, 'I can’t wait to play this,'" Lofland said.

Looking ahead, Lofland hinted that the trauma of these events will linger for Cooper. "Just as a person, it’s something that they’ll definitely carry. It’s not something he’s gonna forget by any means. It’ll definitely weigh on him in some way, shape or form." As for season three, which is already in development, Lofland teased that the next chapter could see a return to the oil patch. After being fired by Cami (Demi Moore), Tommy founded his own oil company, rallying former coworkers and family to take on M Tex Oil. "Hopefully we possibly get back to the oil and do some stuff like that next season. Just really in the patch and working," Lofland mused. "Taylor always surprises us so I try not to have too many ideas in my head. I trust the process but I’m just looking forward to getting the scripts and seeing where we go all together."

Meanwhile, fans are abuzz about the future of Cooper and Ariana’s relationship. Lofland shared, "We kind of thought it might happen in season 2. It hasn’t happened yet so we’ll see. We’re stretching it out farther than we thought. Every time I would open the next script, I was like, 'OK, this is the wedding.' But here we are. We’re all still waiting. I love it. I love the dynamic of it and there’s always a shock. That’s the fun of it. That’s the fun with the Taylor universe."

Despite its popularity and critical acclaim, Landman and other Taylor Sheridan productions have often been overlooked during awards season. Thornton offered some insight into this phenomenon, suggesting that political misconceptions about Sheridan may play a role. "I think a lot of it’s political. I really do. I think some people assume Taylor is some sort of right-wing guy or something, and he’s really not. Even with this show being about the oil business, he just shows you what it’s like. He’s not saying ‘Rah, rah, rah for oil.’ It’s just the people who work in this business or who are affected by this business, the people on the periphery and within the families in the business; this is what happens. These are the kinds of problems and joys and triumphs and whatever happens in this world. It’s a world of gambling, and you never know what’s going to happen. But I think people got the wrong idea about that."

Thornton also reflected on the nature of acting and awards, drawing a sharp contrast with the world of sports. "Acting is not a sport. If you run the 100-meter dash in the Olympics and you break the tape first, you win. There’s no question about it. Everybody saw it. How do you say in the artistic world who won? It’s an intangible thing. Then people say, ‘Well, any one of the nominees besides me could have won this. They’re all wonderful actors.’ Not only them, some other actors in the audience who weren’t nominated, some other ones who aren’t even at the show, some other ones who aren’t even known by people have done an amazing job. If you put your heart and soul into something you love, and you’re satisfied with your work, and it works in the thing, there’s the award. I look at it that way. I’m too damn old now to worry about stuff like that. I got enough awards. I’m good."

As Landman streams on Paramount+ and anticipation for season three builds, the show stands as a testament to character-driven storytelling and the unpredictable, high-stakes world it portrays. With its blend of gritty realism, compelling performances, and a willingness to tackle tough subjects, Landman continues to strike oil with audiences worldwide—proving that, in this universe, the only certainty is surprise.