The continued success of Landman has ensured that Billy Bob Thornton will remain a familiar face as Tommy Norris for the foreseeable future. While the show’s intense storylines focus on the brutal realities of the oil industry, Thornton himself has also been paying close attention to a much lighter detail behind the scenes: his wardrobe. As it turns out, the actor had a very specific and humorous request when production began on the second season, one that he recently shared in an interview with USA Today.

Thornton explained that during the first season, the jeans chosen for his character were far looser than he would have liked. With his trademark self-deprecating humor, he joked that the baggy fit exaggerated what he calls his “bird legs,” making the pants look more like clown trousers than something Tommy Norris would realistically wear. Not wanting to repeat that experience, he approached the costume department before season two and asked if they could tailor the jeans slightly to create a slimmer fit. According to Thornton, they made subtle adjustments, bringing them in just enough to look more flattering while still staying true to the character’s rugged, work-worn style.

This wardrobe tweak stands in sharp contrast to the heavy material Landman deals with on screen. Season one throws Tommy Norris into a relentless storm of challenges, including oil rig explosions, complicated family dynamics, violent encounters with the cartel, and the emotional fallout from losing a colleague. These high-stakes conflicts leave little room for comedy within the narrative itself, which makes Thornton’s off-screen concern about pant fit all the more amusing. Still, while viewers may have been far more focused on the drama and danger unfolding in each episode, it seems the actor himself was relieved to feel more comfortable and confident in his updated look for season two.

Interestingly, Thornton’s preference for slimmer jeans on the show closely mirrors his personal fashion choices. In another interview, this time on The Drew Barrymore Show, he openly discussed the fact that he often wears women’s jeans in his everyday life. He explained that most men’s jeans are cut too loosely for his body type, leaving him feeling as though he is swimming in fabric. Women’s jeans, on the other hand, tend to offer a closer, more tailored fit, which he finds both more comfortable and more flattering, especially when paired with boots. This real-world preference appears to have naturally carried over into his request for Tommy Norris’s wardrobe evolution.

Thornton has also spoken about how much of his own life influences his performance on Landman. He has noted that his experiences as a husband and father have helped shape the way he approaches the show’s family dynamics, adding layers of authenticity and emotional depth to his portrayal. While clothing may seem like a minor detail compared to character development or plot, it clearly plays a role in helping Thornton fully inhabit Tommy Norris, both physically and psychologically.

Beyond wardrobe anecdotes, Thornton’s work on Landman has been widely praised. Critics and audiences alike have applauded his performance, with many considering the series one of Taylor Sheridan’s strongest television projects to date. The character of Tommy Norris, with his dry humor, world-weary attitude, and hardened exterior, feels perfectly suited to Thornton’s understated style and sharp delivery. His ability to balance grit with subtle wit has become one of the show’s defining strengths.

The future of Landman also looks secure. Toward the end of 2025, the series was officially renewed for a third season, confirming that viewers will be spending plenty more time with Tommy Norris and the volatile world he inhabits. With that in mind, Thornton’s satisfaction with his on-screen wardrobe seems especially fitting. As the story continues to evolve and escalate, fans can expect to see him navigating oil fields, personal conflicts, and dangerous alliances—now in jeans that align much more closely with his personal taste. In the grand scheme of Landman’s explosive drama, it may be a small detail, but it is one that adds a touch of humor and humanity to the production, reminding audiences that even the toughest characters are shaped by very human preferences behind the scenes.