Emerson Miller
Editor's note: This article contains spoilers for season 2 of "Landman."
Ok folks, let’s put the rumors to bed once and for all — Billy Bob Thornton is definitely coming back for Season 3 of "Landman." Despite a viral AI video suggesting otherwise, he told USA TODAY, “Some stupid AI thing came out where it wasn’t me at all. It has nothing to do with reality.” Fans can relax — he’ll be on set when filming begins, possibly in May.
For viewers of the Paramount+ hit, Thornton’s confirmation is more than just news — it’s reassurance that one of television’s most compelling West Texas dramas isn’t losing its anchor anytime soon. Created by Taylor Sheridan and inspired by the 2019 Texas Monthly podcast “Boomtown,” "Landman" has become a cultural phenomenon, blending the grit of the oil fields with the intimate struggles of family, ambition, and survival.
Season 2 was a whirlwind. Tommy Norris (Thornton), recently fired as president of M-Tex by Cami Miller (Demi Moore), pivoted to form CTT Oil Exploration and Cattle with his son Cooper (Jacob Lofland) and his father, T.L. (Sam Elliot). Financial backing from cartel leader Gallino (Andy Garcia) added a dangerous edge to the venture, signaling that the Permian Basin’s power dynamics were far from settled. The finale also carried a quiet, symbolic moment: a coyote watched from a distance, a reminder of mortality and control. “The coyote is like a ghost haunting me,” Thorton said. “In Season 1, I was filled with fear and dread. This season, it was more like, ‘Listen, if we’re going to be pals, you have to give me the day off every now and then.’” That reflection stood in contrast to the whirlwind of private jets, power lunches, and legal drama surrounding his son.
The series has developed a clear rhythm. Season 1 began filming in February 2024 and premiered in November that year; Season 2 followed the same cadence, filming in April 2025 and debuting in November. If the pattern holds, and cameras start rolling in May, this could mean another mid-November release. Elliott, who plays T.L., confirmed the schedule to Forbes: “If it’s April, you can bet we'll almost certainly hit that mid-November release date.”
Thornton’s return is also a response to the swirl of AI rumors suggesting he might leave the show or be romantically involved with Moore. “It’s all just AI-generated crap,” he said. “I’ll be there.” His commitment offers rare continuity in a TV landscape often disrupted by contract negotiations and social media controversies.
Season 3 is expected to expand the stakes. Alliances will shift, loyalties will be tested, and the fallout from Tommy’s new venture — especially with Gallino’s involvement — will reshape the oil landscape. And yes, the question on every fan’s mind: Will Tommy and Cami clash again? “That makes sense. I’m not being coy when I say I don’t know. But that would seem to be the natural progression of things,” Thornton admitted. Sheridan’s scripts remain tightly guarded, keeping even the actors guessing and the audience on edge.
Showrunner Christian Wallace emphasized the richness of West Texas as a narrative canvas, telling The Hollywood Reporter, “This world is so rich — West Texas, oil and gas, Fort Worth, the upstairs downstairs of this whole thing. It’s such fertile soil for storytelling. There’s a lot of runway left.” With sprawling ranches, corporate boardrooms, and volatile deals as a backdrop, the series continues to mine both tension and humanity.The show’s cultural impact is undeniable. Season 2 set records on Paramount+, drawing 9.2 million viewers in its first few days. “Rotten Tomatoes” currently scores the series at 78%, while Men’s Journal called the finale a “wild, aspirational triumph of pure swagger.” Fans have been dissecting every scene, debating Tommy’s decisions, and speculating about the next season’s twists.
As production ramps up, Season 3 will likely explore Tommy’s rise as a family-led oil magnate, the fallout from M-Tex politics, and the challenges of balancing loyalty with ambition. Quiet, character-driven moments — a coyote on a hill, a glance exchanged across a boardroom, a son defending his family — will remain the show’s hallmark. “We barely skimmed the surface in Season 1 and, after Season 2, I feel like we’re still just skimming the surface,” Thornton said. With Season 3 on the horizon, it’s clear the Permian Basin still has stories to tell — and Tommy Norris is very much at the center of them.
