Andy Garcia is bringing a special kind of danger to Landman. The actor’s character, the cartel boss Gallino, is becoming a major problem for Billy Bob Thornton’s Tommy Norris in the show’s second season. But this villain was not just another role for Garcia. In a recent interview, the actor shared that series creator Taylor Sheridan specifically wrote the part of Gallino with him in mind. Garcia explained how this personalized approach and his own ideas helped shape the mysterious character now causing trouble in the Texas oil fields.
How Taylor Sheridan Created the Role for Andy Garcia
The journey to Garcia joining the Paramount+ drama started with a direct invitation from Taylor Sheridan. Garcia explained that when Sheridan first wanted to meet with him, the character of Gallino did not even exist on paper yet.
“When he approached me, he hadn’t written the part yet,” Garcia said. “He met with me and said, ‘I’d like to create this part for you.’”
The Oscar-nominated actor said he did not need any convincing to join the series. He flew to Fort Worth to meet Sheridan, who is known for crafting hit shows like Yellowstone. Garcia said the creator was a fan of his work in the 1986 film Eight Million Ways to Die, where he played a young drug dealer. Sheridan saw a connection between that early performance and who Gallino might have been as a younger man.
Garcia described the opportunity as a major honor for an actor, comparing it to a legendary playwright writing a famous role specifically for a performer.
Building Gallino’s Backstory with the Actor’s Input
When they began discussing who Gallino was, Sheridan gave Garcia a basic concept but left room for the actor to build the character’s history. Sheridan told him that Gallino was a cartel leader operating in the Permian Basin of Texas, a place Garcia did not even realize had cartel activity.
The key instruction from Sheridan was simple: “It’s you”. This directive allowed Garcia to use his own background and identity to fill in the blanks. He decided that Gallino was not a local Texan but was originally from the Caribbean, with connections to South America.
“In my own mind, I’m saying, ‘He got to the Permian Basin because he’s the guy who has access to where the source is, where the product is coming from, because of his access to the Caribbean, South America,’” Garcia said.
This idea gave Gallino a unique position in the criminal world of Texas, arriving as an outsider with specific resources and knowledge. Sheridan also established that Gallino was a man who lived under the radar, fully integrated into polite society while running his operations.
Gallino’s Growing Role in Landman’s Second Season
Gallino first appeared in the final moments of Landman Season 1. He saved Tommy Norris from a rival cartel leader, but made it clear this was not an act of kindness. He told Tommy they would need to be business partners, and even friends. Tommy disagreed about the friendship part, but Gallino insisted, “Oh, no, we’re going to be real good friends”. That promised relationship is now unfolding in Season 2.
The new season reveals that Gallino is not just targeting Tommy. Using a public alias, Dan Morrell, and a front company called Sonrisa, Gallino has secretly financed the independent oil venture of Tommy’s son, Cooper Norris, played by Jacob Lofland. Cooper had no idea who he was really dealing with.
“It doesn’t really tickle you to death when you learn your son’s gonna work for a cartel guy,” Billy Bob Thornton said about Tommy’s reaction. “It’s pretty, pretty crazy.”
This move pulls both father and son into Gallino’s world. The cartel boss sees the oil business as a new, legitimate-looking avenue for profit and power. Co-creator Christian Wallace teased that this partnership will create “real interesting trouble” for Cooper as the season continues.
Andy Garcia and Billy Bob Thornton’s On-Screen Chemistry
While their characters are locked in a tense battle of wills, Garcia says working with Billy Bob Thornton is a highlight of being on the show. The two actors had known each other for years before Landman, and Garcia says that existing respect made their on-screen dynamic immediate and authentic.
“There’s a mutual respect there,” Garcia said. “We already had a friendship from acquaintances over the years, and so it was walking into a place where you felt you already belonged.”
Thornton described their scenes together as being “like two old-timers playing gin,” a sentiment Garcia appreciated. Garcia praised Thornton’s generosity as a scene partner, saying it creates a “utopian” environment for an actor where they can explore and play off each other naturally. This comfort allows for moments of improvisation, which director Stephen Kay encouraged, following Taylor Sheridan’s trust in the veteran actors.
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What’s Next for Gallino in Season 2
Garcia appears more in the second season, though he is careful not to spoil future plot twists. His character, Gallino, was seen in the third episode, “Almost a Home,” socializing with Tommy, Angela, and Cami at an exclusive club called the Cattlemen’s Club. The episode also introduced Gallino’s wife, Bella, played by Stefania Spampinato, hinting that viewers will see more of the character’s personal life.
The actor is clearly enjoying his time in Taylor Sheridan’s television world. He expressed interest in appearing in other Sheridan series, mentioning interest in a potential sequel to Tulsa King called NOLA King. For now, he is focused on Gallino’s long-term future on Landman, stating he is committed to the role for as long as the stories are there.
“I’m in for the long haul. I’m with Billy. I’m good for five or 10 years,” Garcia said.
New episodes of Landman Season 2 are released every Sunday on Paramount+.
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