Fans of Taylor Sheridan’s “Landman” can’t get enough of its oil-soaked Texas drama — and neither can the locals in Fort Worth, where even the show’s fake café has become a tourist attraction. On a blazing July afternoon, fans gathered on the side of a highway to take photos of The Patch, the on-screen greasy spoon frequented by Billy Bob Thornton’s character, Tommy Norris.
Despite its “Open” neon sign, The Patch isn’t real. It’s an old tire shop transformed into a diner for the Paramount+ series. Thornton, seated inside in a sleeveless T-shirt and suede boots, told USA Today, “The very first scene we shot was right in this room. Now it’s crazy because we get actual tourists coming who think it’s a real café. It’s like you’re a part of a place’s history.”
“Landman” season 2 premieres November 16 on Paramount+, about a year after its record-breaking debut that pulled in 35 million global streams. Riding Sheridan’s storytelling pedigree and Thornton’s signature swagger, the show has become the biggest hit in the Sheridan-verse since “Yellowstone” ended in 2024.
‘Landman’ Season 2 Expands Demi Moore’s Role and Adds Sam Elliott
Season 1 introduced viewers to Thornton’s Tommy Norris — an oil industry fixer navigating a dangerous mix of corporate corruption, cartel chaos, and family drama. His ex-wife Angela, played by Ali Larter, and their outspoken daughter Ainsley, “1923” star Michelle Randolph, added heart to the chaos.
The first season ended with a shock: M-Tex CEO Monty Miller, played by Jon Hamm, died of heart failure. Season 2 picks up with Tommy taking charge as M-Tex’s new president, while Demi Moore’s character, Cami Miller, Monty’s widow, steps into a much larger storyline.
“1883” star Sam Elliott joins the cast as Tommy’s father, TL Norris, while Andy Garcia returns as cartel boss Gallino after his surprise cameo in the season 1 finale. Thornton says the show’s world — and his character’s popularity — have grown beyond anything he imagined. “My shows were popular, but this is entering a different world,” he said. “This is kind of a phenomenon. I’ve been famous for like 35 years, but it’s gone to another level.”
Taylor Sheridan Wrote ‘Landman’ Specifically for Billy Bob Thornton
Sheridan built “Landman” around Thornton after his cameo in “1883.” “Taylor said, ‘I’m writing this show around you about the oil business, and I’m going to write in your voice,’” Thornton recalled. “It sounds like a joke, but it’s tailor-made for me.”
Inspired by the podcast “Boomtown,” the show is known for Tommy’s fiery rants and sharp one-liners.
“Tommy often goes on rants about everything from breakfast food to wind power,” Thornton said. “The Patch bartender, Barney, and I get into it all the time. It’s a friendly rivalry.”
The series currently has a 78% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and passionate fans. Even the American Association of Professional Landmen launched a podcast dedicated to Thornton’s no-(expletive) performance.
Thornton, who’s signed on for at least four more years, says he plans to stay with “Landman” as long as they’ll have him. “This one feels special — like lightning in a bottle,” he said.
“Landman,” Season 2 Premieres, Sunday, November 16, on Paramount+.
