After its premiere in November 2024, Taylor Sheridan‘s Landman quickly became a hit show for Paramount+. The series takes viewers into the high-stakes world of the West Texas oil industry, following the billionaires who control it and the workers whose lives depend on it. With the second chapter arriving, here’s a complete recap of the drama-filled first season.
The Story So Far: Oil, Money, and Danger
Landman centers on Tommy Norris, a crisis manager played by Billy Bob Thornton. His job is to solve problems for the M-Tex oil company, a role that involves negotiating with dangerous cartels and handling public relations after deadly accidents. The show was written specifically for Thornton, with Taylor Sheridan telling the actor, “I’m gonna write it with your voice.”
The series kicks off with two major crises. A plane stolen by a drug cartel from M-Tex crashes into a truck on a remote Texas road, creating a massive explosion. At the same time, Tommy’s son, Cooper Norris, survives a terrible oil rig explosion that kills three of his crew members, leaving Cooper severely injured. These events set the tone for a season filled with constant danger and moral compromises.
Tommy describes the oil business as making “$3 billion a day in pure profit,” calling it “the seventh-largest industry in the world.” He explains his role simply: “First part’s simple. It’s the second part that can get you killed.”
A Complicated Family Life
Tommy’s personal life is as messy as his professional one. He describes himself as “a divorced alcoholic with $500,000 in debt. And I’m one of the lucky ones.” His ex-wife, Angela, remains in his life, and their relationship is depicted as combative yet caring. During Season 1, Angela divorces her current husband to rekindle her relationship with Tommy, though he keeps clear boundaries between his work and home life.
Their children face their own challenges. Cooper, played by Jacob Lofland, drops out of college to work in the oil fields, against his father’s wishes. Their daughter, Ainsley, struggles with typical teenage problems, including a rocky relationship with her football player boyfriend.
The Oil Rig Disaster and Its Aftermath
The oil rig explosion that opens the series has far-reaching consequences. Among the dead crew members is the husband of Ariana, who becomes a central character. Despite Tommy’s warnings about how it might look, Cooper grows closer to Ariana as they both cope with the tragedy.
M-Tex’s lawyer, Rebecca, tries to pressure the widows into signing compensation agreements, but Cooper intervenes. He successfully demands $1 million in compensation for each of the families affected by the disaster, helping Ariana and the other widows secure their futures.
A Change in Leadership
The stress of the business takes a heavy toll on M-Tex owner Monty Miller, played by Jon Hamm. After suffering a fifth heart attack, Monty makes Tommy the Vice President of M-Tex. Unfortunately, Monty later dies in the hospital, leaving the company in the hands of his widow, Cami, and Tommy.
This promotion forces Tommy to confront what he really wants for his future. Having worked in the oil business for years, he knows the risks and worries that deeper involvement could harm him and his family.
Trouble with the Cartel
The tension between M-Tex and the local cartel continues throughout Season 1. The cartel owns the land where M-Tex’s oil-drilling sites are located, and Tommy initially warns both sides to stay out of each other’s business. However, the relationship becomes increasingly hostile.
The situation escalates dramatically when Tommy is kidnapped by Jimenez, one of the cartel leaders. In the Season 1 finale, Tommy is surprisingly saved by the cartel boss himself, Gallino, played by Andy Garcia. Rather than harming Tommy, Gallino proposes a business deal, offering to collaborate with him in the oil business to make money together.
What to Expect in Season 2
The upcoming season will likely explore Tommy’s decision about Gallino’s proposal and whether he wants to remain in the oil business. Cooper’s growing interest in the industry also sets up new storylines, as he took his first steps into the business world in Season 1.
With the second chapter premiering in November 2025, viewers can expect more of the high-stakes drama and complex relationships that defined the first season.
Also Read: Landman Season 2 Release Date Announced With New Cast Members and Exciting Updates
