The new power player in Landman is a cartel boss named Gallino, played by acting veteran Andy Garcia. In a new interview, Garcia explains how show creator Taylor Sheridan personally designed the character for him, drawing inspiration from one of Garcia’s early film roles and even letting the actor shape the character’s background. This personal touch is part of what has Garcia, and fans, excited about Gallino’s growing influence on the oil fields of West Texas.
How Taylor Sheridan Created The Gallino Role
Andy Garcia’s casting in Landman came directly from series creator Taylor Sheridan. According to Garcia, the process began with a personal invitation .
He says his agent told him, “Taylor wants to meet you. Will you fly out to Fort Worth to meet him?” Garcia agreed and visited Sheridan at his home. At the time, Sheridan had not yet written anything for the character . He instead pitched Garcia on the idea of a part he wanted to create specifically for him, explaining who this man was and how he would fit into the high-stakes world of the show .
A key part of their conversation focused on a film from Garcia’s past. Sheridan mentioned being a fan of the 1986 movie 8 Million Ways to Die, in which Garcia played a young, volatile drug lord . They discussed the improvisation in that film and the nature of the character. Garcia has since mused that his role in that earlier movie might be like seeing “Gallino when he was 18” .
Garcia was deeply impressed by Sheridan’s approach, comparing the experience to a legendary playwright crafting a role.
“It’s like having Shakespeare call you up and say, ‘I’d like to write a play for you about a prince who has an issue with his father’ — and then he sends you Hamlet,” Garcia said. “That’s the way I look at it when Taylor wants to write for you.” .
This level of tailored storytelling made Garcia’s decision to join the show an easy one. After their meeting, his response to Sheridan was simple: “I’m all in” .
Building Gallino’s Background and Motives
While Taylor Sheridan provided the framework for Gallino, Andy Garcia helped fill in the character’s history. When Sheridan first explained that Gallino was a cartel boss operating in the Permian Basin, Garcia was surprised and asked for more details .
He recalls asking Sheridan, “There’s a cartel in the Permian Basin? Is he a local kid? Is he Mexican?” In response, Sheridan told him that the character was essentially himself, allowing Garcia to draw from his own background . Garcia is a Cuban-American actor, and he used that heritage to imagine Gallino’s roots .
In his own mind, Garcia pictured Gallino as someone “from the Caribbean” with ties to South America, possibly raised in Miami before moving to Texas to run his cartel . He reasoned that this background would give Gallino direct access to the sources of his product. Sheridan confirmed that Gallino was a figure who was “integrated into society” and living under the radar in the area .
In the show’s second season, Gallino’s motives are becoming clearer. He is revealed to be the secret financial backer of an oil venture started by Cooper Norris, the son of main character Tommy Norris (Billy Bob Thornton) . Garcia suggests this move is about more than just money.
He points to the tense exchange between Gallino and Tommy in the Season 1 finale as a clue. When Tommy insists they will never be friends, Gallino calmly replies, “Oh, no, we’re gonna be real good friends” . Garcia describes Gallino’s strategy as stealthy and deliberate, like a hawk closing in on its prey . The deal with Cooper is a strategic play to weave himself into the fabric of Tommy Norris’s life and business.
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Garcia on Set with Billy Bob Thornton and the Future
Working on Landman has reunited Andy Garcia with his co-star Billy Bob Thornton. The two had a memorable showdown in the Season 1 finale, a scene that Garcia enjoyed filming .
He describes Thornton as someone he has “much respect for,” and says Thornton welcomed the collaboration, joking that it was “great. We got two old folks, two old veterans going at it” . Garcia notes that the director, Stephen Kay, gave them freedom to explore the scene, following guidance from Sheridan to “let them do their thing” . This led to some natural improvisation that enriched their powerful confrontation.
For Season 2, Garcia’s role has expanded. While his character was mostly a looming presence in the first two episodes, pulling strings from the shadows, he has begun to appear more directly . Gallino is also seen operating under a legitimate public identity as an investor and private club owner named Dan Morrell . Garcia also confirmed that viewers will see more of Gallino’s personal world, including his wife, Bella, played by Stefania Spampinato .
Garcia is clearly invested in the long-term story. When asked about continuing beyond the current season, he expressed his full commitment.
“I’m in for the long haul. I’m with Billy. I’m good for five or 10 years,” Garcia stated. He praised the show as a “phenomenal workspace” with great writing, actors, and directors .
He is also open to appearing in other series within Taylor Sheridan’s growing universe of hit shows, mentioning interest in the potential sequel to Tulsa King .
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