In the high-stakes world of Landman, a new relationship is quickly becoming the talk of the oil field. The arrival of Guy Burnet as the charming geologist Charlie has brought a surprising romantic spark to the show’s second season, particularly with Kayla Wallace’s career-driven attorney, Rebecca. Their connection was immediate for fans, but for the actors, it was the result of deliberate effort and a real-life friendship built on trust.
The characters first meet during a turbulent and drunken plane ride, leading to an unexpected one-night stand. The story took another turn in Season 2, Episode 6, titled “Dark Night of the Soul,” when Rebecca travels for work only to discover that the expert geologist she must consult is Charlie. The professional setting forces them to reconnect. According to Burnet, the magnetic pull between them is something neither character can outrun.
The Real-Life Foundation for On-Screen Sparks
For Guy Burnet, the key to creating believable television chemistry wasn’t just about acting—it was about building a genuine connection with his co-star off-camera. He reached out to Kayla Wallace before filming began, suggesting they meet to talk.
“Kayla and I have a real protectiveness of each other, and we bring that chemistry to the characters and let that be natural,” Burnet explained.
He emphasized that Wallace, unlike her high-strung character, is a “wonderfully kind and generous and gentle human being” who was fully committed to making their scenes special. This shared dedication to elevating the material was crucial. They spent time sharing stories about their lives, which helped build a comfort level that translated directly to their performances.
Breaking the Ice: Filming the First Scenes
The actors’ comfort was tested immediately, as the very first scene they shot together was the intimate morning-after sequence. This required a level of vulnerability, with Burnet joking about the pressures of filming such scenes in today’s industry.
“Let’s be honest, I’m not Chris Hemsworth,” Burnet said with a laugh. “Everyone’s a beefcake these days in these Marvel movies… The character is happy-go-lucky, and he just gets lucky. She’s out of his league.”
He channeled Charlie’s own sense of disbelief into the performance, focusing on the character’s “happy-go-lucky” attitude and the feeling of having “hit the jackpot”. Meanwhile, the now-famous plane scene, which was filmed on a hydraulically rigged set that mimicked intense turbulence, was shot afterward. Burnet described the experience as being “like Disneyland” and “the funnest day”.
Charlie’s Role: More Than Just Romance
While the romantic storyline is a major draw, Charlie’s purpose in the narrative extends beyond his relationship with Rebecca. Burnet views his character as a tool to help reveal new layers of Rebecca’s personality.
He sees his role as serving her story first, helping to make the fiercely career-oriented attorney more three-dimensional. Furthermore, Charlie’s skills as a geologist naturally pull him into the wider business dramas of M-Tex, involving other key characters like Tommy Norris (Billy Bob Thornton) and T.L. (Sam Elliott). Burnet hinted that this will allow his character to transition from the romantic “bubble” into the main plot.
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Guy Burnet’s journey to the set of Landman was as unconventional as his character. He landed the role not through a traditional audition, but through two chance meetings with creator Taylor Sheridan. Their first encounter was at a boxing gym, where they struck up a conversation without Burnet initially realizing who Sheridan was.
After expressing interest, Burnet heard nothing for a while. Then, he randomly ran into Sheridan again in New York City.
“He’s like, ‘There is my new employee,’” Burnet recalled. “I was like, ‘Excuse me?’ He said, ‘Come over here,’ and we sat down and he said, ‘You’re going to be Indiana Jones.’”
Sheridan had written the part of Charlie with Burnet in mind, describing him as an adventurous “Indiana Jones-type” who enters the story through a romantic twist rather than a business deal. For Burnet, who was taking a break and re-evaluating his career at the time, the role felt like it “chose [him]”.
New episodes of Landman Season 2 are released every Sunday exclusively on Paramount+. The season is scheduled to have 10 episodes in total.
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