‘Landman’ Is An ‘Upstairs, Downstairs’ Relatable Show, Says Co-Creator Walla

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I recently got a sneak peek at the upcoming season of Landman, and let me tell you, it’s going to be a wild ride. Premiering November 16th on Paramount+, this show, starring Billy Bob Thornton, Demi Moore, Ali Larter, and the always fantastic Sam Elliot, really digs into the high-stakes world of oil. Co-creator Christian Wallace describes it perfectly: life for the roughnecks in the field is tough, but the dealings of the oil billionaires are a whole other level of messy. What I found particularly compelling is the show’s structure – it really feels like an ‘upstairs/downstairs’ look at two very different worlds, and that’s a big part of why it’s so gripping. For fans of Taylor Sheridan – the mind behind Yellowstone and Tulsa King – you’ll definitely want to check this one out, as he’s also an executive producer.

Journalist and screenwriter Wallace, creator of the popular podcast Boomtown – which inspired the show Landman – also worked as a roughneck on oil rigs near his hometown of Andrews, Texas. At the Season Two premiere in New York City, he explained that the show’s success comes from audiences being interested in learning about different ways of life, and also relating to the hardworking people who form the foundation of the oil industry, contrasting them with the industry’s top executives.

‘Landman’ Is Not About “Overlords In Skyscrapers, Like ‘Dallas'”

Let me tell you, Billy Bob Thornton absolutely kills it as Tommy Norris. He’s this landman – basically a negotiator who works with landowners – and he’s perfectly positioned between the roughnecks doing the actual work and the high-powered executives calling the shots. As Wallace puts it, Norris is ‘from the downstairs,’ meaning he understands the realities on the ground, the practical side of things, unlike those in the ivory tower.

He describes his former job as a roughneck as hard and dirty, but also satisfyingly honest. He explains that each day had a clear purpose – to complete the work and, most importantly, return home safely.

Although shows like Dallas have previously depicted the lives of powerful business leaders, Wallace felt it was important to highlight the often-overlooked workers who risk their health to support their families. He believes we all ultimately benefit from their hard work.

Wallace acknowledges he doesn’t have a strong grasp on the financial aspects of the deal, describing them as complex and somewhat shady. However, Sheridan is very skilled at navigating the financial side of the oil industry. According to Wallace, Sheridan understands the intricacies of that world and how everything operates behind the scenes.

Wallace points out a fascinating parallel between the show’s story – the contrast between the wealthy and the working class – and how the show itself is made. He explains his role is to connect the writers, camera operators, and director with the oil rig workers, essentially translating between these different groups. He’s pleased by how well everyone works together, and rarely needs to intervene to ensure things feel genuine. The show goes to great lengths to be authentic, using actual oil rigs and hiring real oil workers who wear their own work clothes. However, Wallace jokingly admits he sometimes has to ask the crew to tone down the cowboy hats on set.

This season, the show filmed extensively on very old drilling rigs – Wallace describes them as relics of the past. While modern rigs are still tough workplaces, they’ve become highly technological. The older rigs, however, are more visually interesting for the show, and, according to Wallace, considerably more dangerous.

I often had to warn the camera team: ‘Stay behind this line, because that chain is moving incredibly quickly, and if it breaks, someone could get seriously hurt – possibly lose a finger.’

Wallace describes this season as “fantastic,” highlighting the show’s success in portraying all aspects of the oil industry, from the workers in the field to the corporate side. Ultimately, he believes everyone involved did a great job, resulting in a truly compelling show.

Season two of Landman will begin streaming on Paramount+ on November 16, 2025. New episodes will be released every week, with the season concluding on January 18, 2026.

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2025-11-15 16:20