Taylor Sheridan has built a reputation for creating character-driven hits—and according to Billy Bob Thornton, it’s earned.
Thornton opened up about what it’s like working with Sheridan on Paramount+’s “Landman,” including the creator’s speed as a writer and his ability to craft distinct voices for each character. Thornton also addressed a recent report about Sheridan’s long-term professional plans, saying he does not expect Sheridan’s future projects to impact the series currently housed at Paramount.
Billy Bob Thornton Says Taylor Sheridan’s Writing Still Stuns the ‘Landman’ Cast
Sheridan has spoken openly about why he prefers to write without a traditional writers’ room. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, the “Yellowstone” creator explained that his storytelling approach relies on characters driving the plot — not the other way around — and he said he has found that group writing often pulls projects away from that focus.
“My stories have a very simple plot that is driven by the characters as opposed to characters driven by a plot — the antithesis of the way television is normally modeled,” Sheridan said. “I’m really interested in the dirty of the relationships in literally every scene.”
He added that writers’ rooms have not been the right fit for the way he works.
“But when you hire a room that may not be motivated by those same qualities — and a writer always wants to take ownership of something they’re writing — and I give this directive and they’re not feeling it, then they’re going to come up with their own qualities,” Sheridan said. “So for me, writers rooms, they haven’t worked.”
Thornton recently echoed the idea that Sheridan’s process is unusual — and said it’s also one of the reasons his shows connect with viewers.
Speaking with Awards Buzz, Thornton said Sheridan’s ability to write at a high level while producing so much material continues to surprise the cast.
“He knows how to strike a nerve with people. I’m not exactly sure what it is,” Thornton said. “We’ve talked about it before, me and the other cast mates. We don’t understand how he writes so much and so quickly and does such great work. He has his finger on the pulse of humans somehow.”
Thornton also credited Sheridan with casting in a way that strengthens the writing. He said Sheridan often knows what specific performers will bring to a role, which helps shape how each character comes across onscreen.
“He’s very good at putting the right people in the right parts,” Thornton said. “I think he knows what we are going to do, so he can write towards that, and that’s a real strength for a writer.”
He added, “If you are writing with one voice, you can tell that on screen. Taylor has a specific voice for each character.”
The ‘Landman’ Star Addresses Report About Taylor Sheridan’s Long-Term Plans
Thornton also spoke to The Hollywood Reporter about a recent report that Sheridan is expected to eventually move his creative home from Paramount to NBCUniversal, with a film deal expected to begin next year. However, Sheridan’s television deal with Paramount reportedly runs through the end of 2028.
On the red carpet ahead of the “Landman” season 2 premiere, Thornton said he does not expect the reported shift to affect Sheridan’s current shows at Paramount.
“I think the shows that are at Paramount, stay at Paramount, so I don’t think those are affected,” Thornton told The Hollywood Reporter. “His deal is for the future. And who knows what that holds. Taylor is a brilliant guy, and I’m sure wherever he goes, whatever he does is gonna be successful, at least I know it’ll be real.”
Season 2 newcomer Sam Elliott, who plays Tommy Norris’ father on the series, shared a similar viewpoint.
“It’s not gonna impact the future of this series because everything that Taylor had at Paramount is gonna stay at Paramount,” Elliott told the outlet. “The Universal thing, as I understand, it’s a whole new deal, so it’s just great for Taylor’s world.”
“Landman” has already proven to be a major draw for Paramount+. When season 1 debuted, it drew 5.2 million viewers, making it the streamer’s biggest series debut in two years.
Thornton told the outlet that a successful first season naturally brings pressure going forward.
“Anytime you have a success and it’s going to continue, there’s always pressure to make sure that it continues,” he said. “So, we felt it, but once you start, you just have to forget that and go out there and do your job.”
Michelle Randolph, who plays Ainsley Norris on the series, told The Hollywood Reporter she believes the show has room to continue expanding because the story covers a short timeframe.
“The first season was 10 days in the show so I’m like, we could film the show for so long,” Randolph said. “There’s so much room for growth in every single character; they’re all deeply flawed in their own ways, which is what makes them really enticing to watch because it’s very human.”
The season 2 finale of “Landman” premieres Sunday, January 18.
