Billy Bob Thornton is truly enjoying his time on Landman, and it’s clear from the way he talks about his experience working on the show. The actor, who plays Tommy Norris in the hit series created by Taylor Sheridan, recently opened up to PEOPLE about his positive experience, emphasizing how much he trusts both the people involved and the process of making the show.
In a recent interview, Thornton reflected on his time working on Landman, calling it a dream come true. He expressed immense trust in the show’s creator, Taylor Sheridan, and his fellow castmates. Thornton added that he had no complaints or horror stories to share, which is rare in an industry that often comes with its fair share of drama. “I trust this show a lot,” he said. “I trust Taylor and I trust the castmates. I trust our crew. Honestly, I wish I had, like, a creepy story or a complaint, but I don’t. I mean, it’s just, it’s a lovely time.”
That sentiment of ease and enjoyment goes beyond the set itself. Thornton spoke highly of his relationship with Sheridan, revealing that he enjoys not only working with him but also spending time with him off-camera. “I love working with Taylor,” Thornton said. “I love hanging out with him after hours. He’s such a brilliant guy, great writer, and I love his company.” This mutual respect and camaraderie between the two have made the experience of working on Landman even more special for Thornton.
In fact, Thornton was quick to share how impressed he is with the people behind the scenes of the show. He described the Landman crew as the best he’s worked with in his entire career. “I have to say in all my years, I have never worked with a crew as good as the crew that we have on Landman ever, once,” Thornton revealed. “You can’t find a bad apple in the bunch… they really are lovely people.” Such admiration for his colleagues underscores the positive environment that has made the experience on Landman so enjoyable.
Despite the success and growing popularity of the show, Thornton remains grounded when discussing his role. Even when some moments from the series go viral, he keeps his focus on the work and the character. One particular moment that caught attention was when his character, Tommy Norris, made a remark about the hosts of The View being a “bunch of pissed off millionaires bitching about how much they hate millionaires.” While such a line easily could have sparked controversy, Thornton took it all in stride. “Yeah, anytime you say anything about anybody in the media, obviously, it’s going to be a big thing,” he acknowledged, emphasizing that he simply does his job and stays true to his character. “They point me in a direction, and I do what I’m told and try to be myself.”
A key element that Thornton finds appealing about Landman is its unpredictability. Sheridan is known for keeping plot details close to the vest, and Thornton enjoys that element of surprise. “Taylor keeps it pretty close to the vest,” Thornton said during a panel discussion. “He doesn’t really tell us until the last minute. Some actors like that, some actors don’t. I personally love it because in real life you don’t know what’s gonna happen next.” Thornton’s fondness for this mystery is part of what makes Landman so captivating, both for the actors and the audience.
When it comes to the future of Landman, Thornton speculated about the direction of season 3. “I got a feeling season 3 is going to be a combination of season 1 and 2,” he shared. “Where you’ll have the danger and the tension of season 1 with the sort of family craziness and the business side of season 2… I have a feeling that that’s what it’s gonna be.” However, he was quick to clarify that this was merely a guess and not any insider information. “I promise you no one told me that,” he laughed.
One of the most enjoyable aspects of working on Landman, according to Thornton, is the opportunity to share the screen with longtime friends such as Demi Moore and Sam Elliott. Thornton and Moore have known each other for many years, and he is thrilled to be working alongside her again. Similarly, Thornton has a deep friendship with Sam Elliott, who plays his onscreen father in the show. When he first learned that Elliott would be joining the series, Thornton admitted that he was moved to tears. “Sam and I go way, way back… and then Taylor called me one night… and when he told me it was Sam, I went to my wife, Connie. And I was literally crying when I told her… because I love this guy,” he recalled with emotion.
Fans can expect to see more scenes between the two, as Thornton is eager to share more moments with Elliott. “Oh, I’m sure I will. Yeah, I love Sam,” he said. “I mean, we’re like kinfolks almost.”
Thornton also spoke highly of Taylor Sheridan’s ability to cast the right people for the right roles, noting that Sheridan’s writing and casting choices have played a major role in the success of Landman. “One of the most brilliant things Taylor’s done with his shows is he has very strong individual characters with their own voices,” Thornton observed, explaining that every actor on the show brings something unique to their character. Thornton has great admiration for Sheridan’s ability to create such a strong ensemble of characters, which makes the show all the more engaging.
Both seasons of Landman are currently streaming on Paramount+, with season 3 eagerly anticipated by fans who are excited to see where the show goes next. With such a tight-knit cast and crew, as well as Thornton’s undeniable passion for his role, it’s clear that Landman is a show built on strong relationships both in front of and behind the camera.
