I have a pretty strong hunch about the character Sam Elliott will be playing in Landman Season 2, and if my guess is right, it’s going to be a game-changer.

Landman is the latest creation from Yellowstone’s executive producer, Taylor Sheridan — a gritty, high-stakes drama set against the booming yet brutal oil industry of West Texas. Led by Billy Bob Thornton, the series launched in November 2024 alongside the final season of Yellowstone and quickly captured audiences with its mix of corporate intrigue, family drama, and the harsh realities of life on the oil fields.

In Season 1, viewers were introduced to Thornton’s character, Tommy Norris, a no-nonsense “fixer” for the powerful M-TEX oil company. M-TEX was run by the formidable Monty Miller, played by Jon Hamm, whose authority was absolute — until it wasn’t. Over the course of ten episodes, we learned about Tommy’s personal life, meeting his wife Angela (Ali Larter) and daughter Ainsley (Michelle Randolph), both of whom moved in with him amid escalating tensions and dangerous circumstances tied to M-TEX’s business dealings.

The stakes rose dramatically in the finale when Monty Miller died, leaving a power vacuum in the company. In a move that sets the stage for major changes in Season 2, Tommy Norris stepped up to take over the leadership of M-TEX. This promotion signals a seismic shift not only for the company’s operations but also for Tommy’s own role — moving from hands-on fixer to executive leader.

And that’s where Sam Elliott comes in.

Why M-TEX Needs a New Landman

Tommy Norris has always been the man who gets things done on the ground — negotiating deals, handling disputes, and making sure M-TEX’s interests are protected. But as the new head of the company, Tommy will inevitably find himself tied up in corporate offices and boardrooms, making high-level decisions rather than handling the day-to-day operations.

This creates a vacancy for a new “landman” — someone who can step into Tommy’s old boots and keep M-TEX’s ground game strong. It’s a role that requires a mix of toughness, negotiation skills, and deep knowledge of the oil business.

Given Elliott’s legendary status in the Western genre and his proven ability to embody rugged, authoritative characters, it’s not a stretch to imagine Sheridan bringing him in as Tommy’s replacement in the field.

Why Sam Elliott Makes Perfect Sense

Elliott is no stranger to Sheridan’s world. He played a pivotal role in 1883, the first Yellowstone spinoff, where his performance was widely praised for its emotional depth and gritty authenticity. His casting in Landman feels like a deliberate choice — one that fans will immediately recognize as significant.

If Elliott’s character does take over Tommy’s duties, it wouldn’t just be a casting change; it would be a symbolic passing of the torch. Billy Bob Thornton’s Tommy has defined much of Landman’s first season, and replacing him in the field with someone of Elliott’s caliber signals that Season 2 won’t be playing it safe.

Moreover, Elliott’s screen presence naturally commands respect. Whether delivering a quiet, thoughtful line or staring someone down with that iconic steel-eyed gaze, he can convey authority and experience without saying a word. That’s exactly the type of presence a company like M-TEX would need in a fixer.

The Potential Dynamic Between Norris and Elliott’s Character

One of the most intriguing possibilities is the dynamic between Tommy Norris, now an executive, and Elliott’s potential landman character. While Tommy may be the boss, the fixer role often requires operating with a degree of independence — sometimes bending rules to get results. This could lead to fascinating tension between the two men, as well as a mutual respect born from shared understanding of the job’s demands.

It’s also worth noting that Sheridan’s shows thrive on character-driven conflicts, often pitting allies against each other when their methods or principles clash. If Elliott’s landman is cut from the same hard-edged cloth as Tommy — or even harder — Season 2 could explore questions about loyalty, power, and the personal cost of running an empire in a cutthroat industry.

A Bigger Picture for Landman

Sheridan has a knack for creating ensemble casts where each new addition strengthens the overall story. By adding Elliott, Landman gains not only a powerhouse performer but also an actor whose presence instantly deepens the show’s Western authenticity. It’s the kind of move that reassures fans that Landman will continue to be bold, character-focused, and unafraid to shake things up.

If my theory is correct, and Sam Elliott becomes M-TEX’s new landman, it will set the stage for an exciting power shift. Tommy Norris will face the challenges of leadership from a new vantage point, while Elliott’s character will tackle the gritty, often dangerous work that Tommy once handled himself.

Either way, Sheridan’s decision to bring Sam Elliott into the fold suggests that Landman Season 2 is aiming higher — and hitting harder — than ever before. Fans should prepare for a season filled with high-stakes drama, unexpected alliances, and the kind of performances that keep you glued to the screen.